A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

3. The wisdom, righteousness and faithfulness of God in the Removal of the Old Covenant, with all the services thereunto belonging, are herein abundantly vindicated. This is the stone of stumbling unto this day to all the Jews. This they quarrel and contend with God and Man about; seeming to be resolved that if they may not enjoy their old Institutions, they will part with and leave even God himself. Neither indeed is it God, but a shadow of their old carnal Ordinances, which at present they cleave unto, worship and adore. Wherefore the Apostle by all sorts of Arguments doth in these Chapters manifest that before them, under them, by them, in them, God by various ways taught the Church, that they were not to be continued, that they were never appointed for their own sakes, that they only fore-signified the introduction of a better and more perfect Church State, than what they could attain unto, or be of use in; as also that their very Nature was such as rendered them obnoxious unto a removal in the appointed season. Yea, he demonstrates that without their Abolition, God could never have accomplished the design of his Love and Grace towards the Church, which he had declared in his promises from the Foundation of the World. And this absolutely determined the controversy between the two Churches, that of the Old, and that of the New Testament, with their Different worship and services, which was then a matter of fierce contention in the whole World. Wherefore,

3. The wisdom, righteousness and faithfulness of God in the Removal of the Old Covenant, with all the services thereunto belonging, are herein abundantly vindicated. This is the stone of stumbling unto this day to all the Jews. This they quarrel and contend with God and Man about; seeming to be resolved that if they may not enjoy their old Institutions, they will part with and leave even God himself. Neither indeed is it God, but a shadow of their old carnal Ordinances, which at present they cleave unto, worship and adore. Wherefore the Apostle by all sorts of Arguments doth in these Chapters manifest that before them, under them, by them, in them, God by various ways taught the Church, that they were not to be continued, that they were never appointed for their own sakes, that they only fore-signifyed the introduction of a better and more perfect Church State, than what they could attain unto, or be of use in; as also that their very Nature was such as rendred them obnoxious unto a removal in the appointed season. Yea, he demonstrates that without their Abolition, God could never have accomplished the design of his Love and Grace towards the Church, which he had declared in his promises from the Foundation of the World. And this absolutely determined the controversie between the two Churches, that of the Old, and that of the New Testament, with their Different worship and services, which was then a matter of fierce contention in the whole World. Wherefore,