The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

But (2.) Let it be granted, that these two places of the Apostle are of a parallel signification, what will it advantage the Interpretation imposed on us? What is the Faith of God here intended? And what the unbelief mentioned? And whereunto tends the Apostles vehement interrogation? The great contest in this Epistle concerning the Jews, (of whom he peculiarly speaks, v. 1, 2.) was about the Promise of God made to them, and his Faithfulness ⟨p. 82⟩therein. Evident it was, that many of them did not Believe the Gospel; as evident, that the Promise of God was made peculiarly to them, to Abraham and his Seed: hence no small perplexity arose, about the Reconciliation of these things; many perplexed thoughts ensuing on this seeming Contradiction. If the Gospel be indeed the way of God, what is become of his faithfulness in his promises to Abraham and his Seed, they rejecting it? If the Promises be true and stable, what shall we say to the Doctrine of the Gospel, which they generally disbelieve and reject? In this place the Apostle only rejects the inference, that the faithfulness of God must fall, and be of none effect, because the Jews believed not; whereof he gives a full account afterwards, when he expressly, takes up the objection, and handles it at large, Cap. 9, 10, 11. The sum of the Answer he there gives, as a Defensative of the faithfulness of God, with a non obstante to the Infidelity of some of the Jews, amounts to no more, nor less, then what is here argued & by us asserted, viz. that notwithstanding this (their incredulity and Rejection of the Gospel) the Foundation of God standeth sure; God knoweth who are his: that the Promise, his Faithfulness wherein, (came under Debate,) was not made to all the Jews, but to them that were Chosen according to his Purpose, as he expressly disputes it at large beyond all possibility of Contradiction Cap. 11. As shall afterwards be further argued, and hath in part been already discovered. I verily believe never did any man produce a Testimony more to the disadvantage of his own cause both in general, and in particular, then this is to the Cause Mr Goodwin hath in hand.

But (2.) Let it be granted, that these two places of the Apostle are of a parallell signification, what will it advantage the Interpretation imposed on us? What is the Faith of God here intended? And what the unbeliefe mentioned? And whereunto tends the Apostles vehement interrogation? The great contest in this Epistle concerning the Jewes, (of whom he peculiarly speaks, v. 1, 2.) was about the Promise of God made to them, and his Faithfulnesse