Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

Nor can the Jews on such a supposition, in any measure defend the truth of it against an Infidel. For unto his enquiry where is the promised Messiah, if they shall plead their usual pretences. It is easy for him to reply, that these things b•ing no where mentioned, nor intimated in the Books themselves: They are only such subterfuges as any man may palliate the most open untruths withal. And indeed, the ridiculous figment of his being born at the time appointed, but kept hid to this day, they know not where, is not to be pleaded, when they deal with men not bereft of their senses, or Judicially blinded by God. For besides, that the whole of it, is a childish, toyish fiction, inconsistent with the nature and being of their Messiah, whom th•y make to be a mere man subject to mortality, in his whole person, like all the other sons of Adam, it suits not at all unto the difficulty intended, to be assoiled by it. For it is not his being born only, but also his accomplishment of his Work and Office, at the time determined which is foretold. Nor is there any one jot more of probability in ⟨p. 209⟩their other pretence, about their own sins and unworthiness. For, as we have declared, this is nothing but in plain terms to assert, that God hath violated his faith and promise; and that in a matter, wherein the great Concernments of his own Glory, and the welfare of all mankind doth consist, upon the account of their miscarriages, which as they either cannot, or will not remedy, so he himself hath not, (though he might have so done) provided any relief against. This then stands upon equal evidence with the whole Authority of the Old Testament, namely, that the promised Messiah, was to come within the time prefixed for his coming, and foretold.

Nor can the Jews on such a supposition, in any measure defend the truth of it against an Infidel. For unto his enquiry where is the promised Messiah, if they shall plead their usual pretences. It is easie for him to reply, that these things b•ing no where mentioned, nor intimated in the Books themselves: They are only such subterfuges as any man may palliate the most open untruths withal. And indeed, the ridiculous figment of his being born at the time appointed, but kept hid to this day, they know not where, is not to be pleaded, when they deal with men not bereft of their senses, or Judicially blinded by God. For besides, that the whole of it, is a childish, toyish fiction, inconsistant with the nature and being of their Messiah, whom thy make to be a meer man subject to mortality, in his whole person, like all the other sons of Adam, it suits not at all unto the difficulty intended, to be assoyled by it. For it is not his being born only, but also his accomplishment of his Work and Office, at the time determined which is foretold. Nor is there any one jot more of probability in