The mystery of Israel's salvation, explained and applied: or, A discourse concerning the general…The mystery of Israel's salvation, explained and applyed: or, A discourse concerning the general…

2. Because the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world according to his humane nature, was an Israelite, Gen. 12.3. Heb. 3.16. And of the Tribe of Judah, Heb. 7.14. It is evident (saith the Apostle) that our Lord sprang out of Judah: Although now the Jews have raised great controversies about the Genealogy of Christ, yet in those days it was so manifest that Jesus of Nazareth was sprung from Judah, that no Jews (although such as denied that Jesus was the Christ) could ever deny that he came of the Tribe of Judah; Therefore the Apostle saith, that it is evident, our Lord came of Judah, q. d. no man doubteth of that. For Messiah came from the house of David, Acts 2.30. therefore he was of the Tribe of Judah: And this is manifest, if ⟨p. 59⟩we compare Matthews and Lukes Genealogy of Christ. Mary the Mother of Christ was of the house of David. Eli was Maris natural father, for he was Josephs legal Father (or Father-in-law) Luke 2.23. which is evident, because Jacob was Josephs natural Father, Matth. 1.16. Therefore Mary being Ely's Daughter, was naturally descended from the line and loins of David; Therefore Christ sprang of Judah. It is true indeed, that Christ descended from Ruth, who was a Moabitess, to signify that Gentiles should by him be saved as well as Jews, but the rest of his Predecessors were Israelites. Now this is the greatest thing which the Jews have to glory in, and that which maketh the Israelitish Nation to be above others desirable, Hag. 2.7. Therefore the Apostle speaking of the privileges and glories which the Israelites had above other people, mentioneth this in the last place, as being more than all other things that may be said or thought of, Rom. 9.5. As it is true, that the humane nature is exalted above the Angelical nature in respect of Christ,