No, we are therefore to understand this saying here as an indefinite Proposition, and not as if it were an universal Proposition; and the right understanding of this difference between an universal, and an indefinite proposition is of great use to us, both in this, and many other points of divinity. An Universal Proposition, is that, that speaketh so of the general, as it includes every particular under it, An indefinite Proposition, doth but speak of the general, and not include every particular under it, but only many. As thus. If one should say, that such a man teacheth all the Children in such a Town; we do not mean that there is no particular Child that is not taught, for there are infants there; ⟨p. 159⟩and there are perhaps some that are not taught at all; but we mean thus; that he teacheth, those Children that are taught; there is none that he excepteth but if they come to him, he will teach them, he is there ready, and stands prepared to teach them; and in this sense he may be said to teach all the Children in the Town; that is; there is a general proposition without a particular restriction, though every individual is not contained in it. This now is an Indefinite proposition, or speech. But when we Say a general proposition, then we speak of all particulars none at all can be excepted, But must come under that proposition: and this will help us much in other Points of divinity. As in the promise: I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed. We must understand this Promise by the way of an indefinite proposition, and so all understand it that understand it aright. Many that understand not the difference between these two, think they have a strong objection, and say; This promise cannot be made of the godly, for then the Children of the Godly would be godly too. No, it is not an Universal proposition that includeth every particular, but an indefinite one; that is thus. God, promiseth to be the God of his people, and of their seed; that is, he will show mercy to their Seed, rather then to the Seed of others, and he will rather draw the line of Election through their Loins then through the Loins of others, he will take them, not every particular of them, but take them indefinitely, and not reveal which of them he will take; whether this Person, or that Person individually; But he speaks indefinitely;
No, we are therefore to understand this saying here as an indifinite Proposition, and not as if it were an universal Proposition; and the right understanding of this difference between an universal, and an indefinite proposition is of great use to us, both in this, and many other points of divinity. An Universal Proposition, is that, that speaketh so of the general, as it includes every particuler under it, An indefinite Proposition, doth but speake of the general, and not include every particuler under it, but only many. As thus. If one should say, that such a man teacheth al the Children in such a Towne; we do not mean that there is no perticuler Child that is not thaught, for there are infants there; ⟨p. 159⟩and there are perhaps some that are not taught at al; but we mean thus; that he teacheth, those Children that are taught; there is none that he excepteth but if they come to him, he wil teach them, he is there ready, and stands prepared to teach them; and in this senss he may be said to teach al the Children in the Town; that is; there is a genneral proposition without a particuler restriction, though every individual is not contayned in it. This now is an Indefinit proposition, or speech. But when we Say a general proposition, then we speek of al particulers none at al can be excepted, But must come under that proposition: and this wil help us much in other Points of divinity. As in the promise: I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed. We must understand this Promise by the way of an indefinite proposition, and so al understand it that understand it aright. Many that understand not the difference between these two, think they have a strong objection, and say; This promise cannot be made of the godly, for then the Children of the Godly would be godly too. No, it is not an Universal proposition that includeth every particular, but an indefinite one; that is thus. God, promiseth to be the God of his people, and of their seed; that is, he wil shew mercy to their Seed, rather then to the Seed of others, and he wil rather draw the line of Election through their Loyns then through the Loyns of others, he wil take them, not every particular of them, but take them indefinitly, and not reveal which of them he wil take; whether this Person, or that Person individually; But he speaks indifinitly;
