A discourse of conscience wherein is set down the nature, properties, and differences thereofA discourse of conscience wherein is set downe the nature, properties, and differences thereof

Men uncalled, are such as never heard of Christ by reason the gospel was never revealed unto them, nor means of revelation offered. That ⟨p. 24⟩there have been such in former ages, I make it manifest thus. The world since the creation may be distinguished into four ages. The first, from the creation to the flood: the second, from the flood to the giving of the Law: the third, from the giving of the law to the death of Christ: the fourth, from the death of Christ to the last judgement. Now in the three former ages, there was a distinction of the world into two so••es of men, whereof one was a people of God, the other •o-people. In the first age in the families of Seth, Noah, &c. were the sons of God, in all other families the sons of men. Genes. 6. 2. In the second age were the sons of the flesh and the sons of the promise, Roman. 9. 7. In the third, Jews and G• the Jews being the Church of God, all nations b• no church. But […] the last age, this distinction was taken a• the Apostles had a commission given them that was never given before to any namely, to go teach not only the Jews but all nations. Now this distinction arose of this, that the gospel was not revealed to the world before the co•ing of Christ, as the scriptures wi••es. The Prophet Esa• saith, 52. 14. that kings s• […] their […] […] at Christ because that which •ad not b•ld […] they shall see, & that which they ••d […] […] […]l ⟨p. 25⟩they understand. And 55. 5. that a nation that knew him not shall run unto him. Paul saith of the Ephesians that in former times they were without God and without Christ, strangers from the covenant,