The point is clear in the Text, That if a man had circumcision, that is, if he had all those preferments that God vouchsafeth to a people in the face and bosom of his Church, this would not do him any good at all, he hath no title to the promises because of these, if he rest in them: Abraham is not the father of those that are circumcised only: So that I say again, all outward privileges are not able to make a man a true Saint of God. Our Saviour Christ, speaking of Capernaum, saith, And thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, &c. Mat. 11.23. Capernaum was lifted up to Heaven; how? In all those spiritual helps and excellent means that God vouchsafed them above many others; they were highly advanced in the enjoyment of heavenly privileges, they heard the Word of God, and they saw the Miracles of Christ; and yet, Thou Capernaum, shalt be deep in punishment; thou wert lifted up to Heaven, in regard of excellent privileges; but thou shalt be cast down to Hell, in regard of thy impenitency and stubbornness under them. The Apostle Paul disputeth the point, and makes the case clear, Rom. 2.28, 29. where he plucks away all these hopes and vain props, which men raise to themselves from the having of outward privileges: He is not a Jew, saith he, that is one outwardly, that is, he is not therefore a true child of God, and a faithful man, he hath not therefore saving faith, because he is circumcised, because he enjoyeth the liberties and privileges of the people of God, and liveth in the bosom of the Church; but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and Circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit and not in the Letter, whose praise is not of men but of God. You know, that it was an ancient Proverb in Israel, Is Saul also amongst the Prophets? 1 Sam. 10.12. and 19.24. Yes, Saul was amongst the Prophets, and he that was once amongst the Prophets, is now amongst the Devils in Hell. Judas was highly promoted; he lived as an Apostle amongst the Disciples, heard out Saviour continually, sate at table with him, ⟨p. 159⟩and yet for all this, is now damned in hell for ever: These were high privileges, and if these would have done the deed, Judas had never perished.
The point is clear in the Text, That if a man had circumcision, that is, if he had all those preferments that God vouchsafeth to a people in the face and bosome of his Church, this would not doe him any good at all, he hath no title to the promises because of these, if he rest in them: Abraham is not the father of those that are circumcised onely: So that I say again, all outward priviledges are not able to make a man a true Saint of God. Our Saviour Christ, speaking of Capernaum, saith, And thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodome, &c. Mat. 11.23. Capernaum was lifted up to Heaven; how? In all those spirituall helpes and excellent meanes that God vouchsafed them above many others; they were highly advanced in the enjoyment of heavenly priviledges, they heard the Word of God, and they saw the Miracles of Christ; and yet, Thou Capernaum, shalt be deep in punishment; thou wert lifted up to Heaven, in regard of excellent priviledges; but thou shalt be cast down to Hell, in regard of thy impenitency and stubbornesse under them. The Apostle Paul disputeth the point, and makes the case clear, Rom. 2.28, 29. where he plucks away all these hopes and vain props, which men raise to themselves from the having of outward priviledges: He is not a Jew, saith he, that is one outwardly, that is, he is not therefore a true child of God, and a faithfull man, he hath not therefore saving faith, because he is circumcised, because he enjoyeth the liberties and priviledges of the people of God, and liveth in the bosome of the Church; but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and Circumciston is that of the heart, in the Spirit and not in the Letter, whose praise is not of men but of God. You know, that it was an ancient Proverb in Israel, Is Saul also amongst the Prophets? 1 Sam. 10.12. and 19.24. Yes, Saul was amongst the Prophets, and he that was once amongst the Prophets, is now amongst the Devils in Hell. Judas was highly promoted; he lived as an Apostle amongst the Disciples, heard out Saviour continually, sate at table with him, ⟨p. 159⟩and yet for all this, is now damned in hell for ever: These were high priviledges, and if these would have done the deed, Judas had never perished.
