The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

3. The Mercies mentioned are such, as never had a literal accomplishment to the Jews in Temporals, nor can have; and when things promised exceed all accomplishment as to the outward and temporal part, it is the spiritual, that is principally and mainly intended; And such are these, v. 18. I will break the bow, and the sword, and the battle out of the earth, and make you to lye down in safety: How I pray was this fulfilled towards them, whilst they lived under the power of the Persian, Grecian, and Roman Empires, to their utter desolation? and v. 23. he telleth them that he will sow them unto himself in the Earth, and have mercy on them: which, as I said before, Paul himself interpreteth, and applieth to the special Mercies of Faith, and Justification in the blood of Christ; So that both the verses going before, and those that follow after, to the consideration whereof we are sent, contain directly, and properly spiritual Mercies, though expressed in words, and terms of things of a temporal importance. Thus notwithstanding any Exception to the contrary, the Context is clear, as it was at first proposed; Let us then in the next place, consider the intendment of God in this Promise, with that influence of Demonstration, which it hath upon the Truth we are in the consideration of, and then free the words from that corrupting Gloss, which is endeavoured to be put upon them.

3. The Mercies mentioned are such, as never had a literall accomplishment to the Iewes in Temporalls, nor can have; and when things promised exceed all accomplishment as to the outward and temporall part, it is the spirituall, that is principally and mainely intended; And such are these, v. 18. I will breake the bow, and the sword, and the battell out of the earth, and make you to lye downe in safety: How I pray was this fulfilled towards them, whilest they lived under the power of the Persian, Graecian, and Roman Empires, to their utter desolation? and v. 23. he telleth them that he will sowe them unto himselfe in the Earth, and have mercy on them: which, as I said before, Paul himselfe interpreteth, and applieth to the speciall Mercies of Faith, and Justification in the bloud of Christ; So that both the verses going before, and those that follow after, to the consideration whereof we are sent, containe directly, and properly spirituall Mercies, though expressed in words, and termes of things of a temporall importance. Thus notwithstanding any Exception to the contrary, the Context is cleare, as it was at first proposed; Let us then in the next place, consider the intendment of God in this Promise, with that influence of Demonstration, which it hath upon the Truth we are in the consideration of, and then free the words from that corrupting Glosse, which is endeavoured to be put upon them.