The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Secondly, Consider, That in the Old Testament God did limit his gracious presence to the Jews only. In Judea only was salvation, and the knowledge of God, John 4 That was the Goshen where light was, all the world else was darkness. Indeed some few particular persons, that were foreigners and strangers, became proselytes, and gave up their names to God; but there were no Countries, or Nations, received the Word of God, but Judea only. But when Christ came, then that partition wall was broken down; and after his death, he gave a ⟨p. 80⟩Commission to preach the Gospel to all the world: And thus the Word, like the Sun in the Heavens, went from one end of the world to another, and none could hinder the course thereof. Yea, where Roman Emperors power and sword could not get dominion, there the Apostles and their Successors, conquered and prevailed. And this, and no other is the Universal Grace, the Scripture speaketh of, whereas formerly it was particular. Then Christ the strong man came and bound the Devil, who had possessed the earth, and kept it in quiet slavery to him, so that under the times of the Gospel, Christ hath been made known; where God hath sent his Word, though it were into the utmost parts of the earth.

Secondly, Consider, That in the Old Testament God did limit his gracious presence to the Jews only. In Judea only was salvation, and the knowledg of God, John 4 That was the Goshen where light was, all the world else was darknesse. Indeed some few particular persons, that were forrainers and strangers, became proselytes, and gave up their names to God; but there were no Countreys, or Nations, received the Word of God, but Judea onely. But when Christ came, then that partition wall was broken down; and after his death, he gave a ⟨p. 80⟩Commission to preach the Gospel to all the world: And thus the Word, like the Sunne in the Heavens, went from one end of the world to another, and none could hinder the course thereof. Yea, where Roman Emperours power and sword could not get dominion, there the Apostles and their Successours, conquered and prevailed. And this, and no other is the Universal Grace, the Scripture speaketh of, whereas formerly it was particular. Then Christ the strong man came and bound the Devil, who had possessed the earth, and kept it in quiet slavery to him, so that under the times of the Gospel, Christ hath been made known; where God hath sent his Word, though it were into the utmost parts of the earth.