As first, some make the preaching of the Gospel to all Nations to be a sign, and such a one as is yet to be performed: whereas it is clear by that of the Apostle, Col. 1. 6. that that promise was accomplished in the Apostles days. For all Nations in that text, Matth. 24. 14. stand opposed to the country of the Jews, that whereas in former times and then, the Gospel was only preached to Jews, the time should come, and that shortly, that it should be preached all the world over, that is, in many other Countries. There is no necessity to understand it so, that every particular Nation in the world should have the Gospel preached to them; or if it were, it must not be meant of any one time, but successively at one time or other. Again, some make the security of the world, which our Saviour likens to the security of the old world, Matth. 24. to be a sign; whereas that is spoken of by way of complaint of the carelessness of men that would not awaken, no not when his coming was near at hand: for otherwaies the world is always secure, and wicked men are always so minded: and therefore it cannot be a sign that hath no distinction in it.
As first, some make the preaching of the Gospell to all Nations to be a signe, and such a one as is yet to be performed: whereas it is cleare by that of the Apostle, Col. 1. 6. that that promise was accomplished in the Apostles daies. For all Nations in that text, Matth. 24. 14. stand opposed to the countrey of the Iewes, that whereas in former times and then, the Gospell was onely preached to Iewes, the time should come, and that shortly, that it should be preached all the world ouer, that is, in many other Countryes. There is no necessity to vnderstand it so, that euery particular Nation in the world should haue the Gospell preached to them; or if it were, it must not be meant of any one time, but successiuely at one time or other. Againe, some make the security of the world, which our Sauiour likens to the security of the old world, Matth. 24. to be a signe; whereas that is spoken of by way of complaint of the carelesnesse of men that would not awaken, no not when his comming was neer at hand: for otherwaies the world is alwaies secure, and wicked men are alwaies so minded: and therefore it cannot bee a signe that hath no distinction in it.
