Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

but they that have the knowledge of the Scriptures, are comparatively but few. In the Ages of the Old Testament, there was but that one only Nation of Israel that enjoyed the outward means of Grace, Psal. 147.19, 20. He showeth his Word to Jacob, his Statutes and his Judgments to Israel: He hath not dealt so with any Nation; and as for his Judgments, they have not known them. It's true, that there were some few particular persons that had the knowledge of God, who were not Israelites, but no other Nation; therefore it is not said, He hath not so with any person, but with any People, or Nation. Hence the Lord speaking unto his people Israel, saith, You have I known of all the Families of the earth, Amos 3, 2, And while it was thus, the way of Salvation was to be found amongst that people only: Therefore Christ said to the woman of Samaria, Salvation is of the Jews, John 4.22. Because then a man must be a Jew, in respect of his Religion and Profession a Jew, or else he could not be saved; ⟨p. 184⟩wherefore also the Scripture giveth us to understand, that as for those miserable Nations which peopled the earth in those dark days, which were before the Sun of Righteousness did arise upon the World, they perished in their ignorance, Acts 17.30. The times of this ignorance God winked at: The meaning is not, that God winked at their sins in these days of ignorance, but at their persons: He overlooked (as the Greek word properly signifieth) them. The Lord had no saving regard to them, and to their times, but suffered them to walk in their own ways, even in the Broad Way which leadeth unto destruction. Now although in these New-Testament times there are many Nations that have the Gospel, yet but few in comparison of those that are destitute thereof. Therefore as for the way to Eternal Life, Few there be that find it.

but they that have the knowledge of the Scriptures, are comparatively but few. In the Ages of the Old Testament, there was but that one only Nation of Israel that enjoyed the outward means of Grace,