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

Before we proceed we may observe two things in general concerning this Promise. (1) That this was the Life of the Church of the Old Testament, the Spring of its continuance unto its appointed season, which could never be dried up. How many times were that whole people, the posterity of Abraham, at the very brink of Destruction? For sometimes they fell generally into such terrible provoking sins, as that their utter casting off might have been justly expected by Angels and men; sometimes they were in the just Judgement of God given up unto such wasting Desolations in their Captivities, as that they were wholly like dry bones on the face of the Earth without hopes of a Resurrection. Yet mercy, patience, and power wrought through all and preserved them in a Church state until this Promise was accomplished. This it was alone, or the Faithfulness of God therein whence all their healing and recoveries did proceed. And when this Promise was once fulfilled, it was beyond the power of all the world to keep them unto their former condition. All depended on the issue of this Promise, in whose fulfilling all things were to be cast into a new mould and order. (2) This was that which preserved the Spirits of true Believers among them from ruining Despondencies in the times of the greatest Apostasies, Calamities, and Desolations of the People. They had this Promise still to plead, and rested therein, notwithstanding all the Interveniencies which oft-times seemed to render the case of that people very desperate. See their Faith expressed, Micah 7. 18, 19, 20. Isa. 7. 13, 14, 15. chap. 5. 3. Luke 1. 70, ⟨p. 141⟩71, 72, 73. And I would hope there is mercy lies treasured in the Bowels of this Promise not yet brought forth toward the remainders of the Posterity of Abraham according to the Flesh. Who knows but that by virtue of the engaged Love and Faithfulness of God declared in this Promise, these withered Branches may revive, and these dead bones rise again? Our Apostle placeth the Hopes of it on this ground alone, that as touching the Election they were beloved; they were beloved for the Fathers sake,