Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

Neither are the Exceptions of the Jews of any force to invalidate our Application § 19 of these Promises. Two things they object unto us. First, the Idolatry that is yet in the world; especially among Christians. Secondly, The differences in Religion that every where abound amongst men. For 1. We have showed already, that these and the like Predictions are to have a gradual accomplishment, not all at once, in every place. It is sufficient that there is an everlasting foundation laid for the destruction of all false Worship, which having had a conspicuous and glorious Effect in the most eminent Nations of the world, sufficient to answer the intention of the Prophecy, shall yet further in the appointed seasons root out the remainder of all superstition and Apostasy from God. 2. For what concerns Christians themselves, it cannot be denied, but that many who are so called, have corrupted themselves, and contracted the guilt of that horrible iniquity, which they charge upon them. But this being the crime and guilt of some certain Persons, and not of the whole society ⟨p. 252⟩of the Professors of Christianity, ought not to be objected unto them. And I desire to know by what means the Jews suppose that themselves and the Nations of the world shall be kept from Idolatry and false Worship in the days of their Messiah: if it be, because their Messiah shall give such a perfect Law, and such full instructions in the mind and will of God, that all men may clearly know their duty, we say that this is already done, in the highest degree of perfection that is conceivable, but what if notwithstanding this, men will follow their own vain, reasonings and imaginations, and fall from the rule of their obedience into Will-worship and Superstition, what remedy have they provided against such backsliding; if they have none, but only the pressing upon them their duty to the Law, Word, and Institutions of God; we have the same, and do make use of it, to the same end and purpose. If they shall say, that their Messiah will kill them and slay them with the sword, we confess that ours is not of that mind, and desire them to take heed, least, in the room of the holy, humble, merciful Kings promised the Church, they look for and desire a bloody Tyrant, that should exercise force over the minds of men, and execute their revenge and lusts on those whom they like not. 3.

Neither are the Exceptions of the Jews of any force to invalidate our Application § 19 of these Promises. Two things they object unto us. First, the Idolatry that is yet in the world; especially among Christians. Secondly, The differences in Religion that every where abound amongst men. For 1. We have shewed already, that these and the like Predictions are to have a gradual accomplishment, not all at once, in every place. It is sufficient that there is an everlasting foundation laid for the destruction of all false Worship, which having had a conspicuous and glorious Effect in the most eminent Nations of the world, sufficient to answer the intention of the Prophecy, shall yet further in the appointed seasons root out the remainder of all superstition and Apostacy from God. 2. For what concerns Christians themselves, it cannot be denyed, but that many who are so called, have corrupted themselves, and contracted the guilt of that horrible iniquity, which they charge upon them. But this being the crime and guilt of some certain Persons, and not of the whole society