2. " This promise was appropriated and fitted to the state of the Jews in a sad captivity ; but the promise of perseverance was, if our adversaries might be believed, a standing promise amoDg them, not appropriated to their condition."
A71S. 1. " Non venit ex pharetris ista sagitta tuis." It is Socinus', in reference to Ezek. xxxvi., in Prosl. Theol. cap. xii. sect. 6; and so is the whole interpretation of the place afterward insisted on de- rived to Mr Goodwin through the hands of the Remonstrants at tlie Hague conference. 2. If this exception against the testimony given in these words for the confirmation of the thesis in hand may be allowed, what will become of Mr Goodwin's argument from Ezek. xviii. for the apostasy of the saints? It is most certain the words from thence by him and others insisted on, with the whole discourse of whose contexture they are a part, are appropriated to a peculiar state of the. Jews, and are brought forth as a meet vindication of the right- eousness of God in his dealing with them in that condition. This, then, may be laid up in store to refresh Mr Goodwin with something of his own providing, when we are gone so far onward in our journey. But, 3. It is most evident to all the world that Mr Goodwin is not such a stranger in the Scriptures as not to have observed long since that spiritual promises are frequently given to the peoj)le of God to support their souls under temporal distresses; and that not always new promises for the matter of them (for indeed the substance of all promises is comprised in the first promise of Christ), but either such as enlarge and clear up grace formerly given or promised, or such as have need of a solemn renewal for the establishing of the faith of the saints, assaulted in some particular manner in reference to them, which was the state of the saints among the Jews at this time. How often was the same promise renewed to Abraham ! and upon what several occasions! and yet that promise, for the matter of it, was the same that had been given from the beginning of the world. That God's solemn renewal of the covenant at any time is called his making of or entering into covenant needs no labour to prove. But, saith he, —
3. " This promise is the same with that of Ezek. xi. 17-20; which promise notwithstanding, it is said, verse 21, ' But as for them whose heart walketh after the lieart of their detestable things, and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their heads:' so that notwithstanding this seeming promise, as is pretended, of perse- verance in grace, they may walk after their abominable things; for
IV.] THE COVENANT OF GRACE. 215
this threatening intends the same persons or nation (as Calvin him- self confesseth), the Israelites."
Ans. 1. Grant that this is the same protnise with the other, how- will it appear that this is not a promise of such an interposure of the Spirit and grace of God as shall infallibly produce the effect of perseverance? " Why, because some are threatened for follow- ing the heart of their abominable things." Yea, but how shall it appear that they are the same persons with them to whom the pro- mise is made ? The context is plainly against it. Saith He, " I will give them a heart to walk in my statutes and ordinances, to do them ; but for them that walk after their own hearts, them I will destroy," in as clear a distinction of the object of the promise and threatening as is possible. Saith Mr Goodwin, " This threatening concerns the same persons or nation." The same nation, but not the same persons in that nation. " But Calvin saith that concerning the Israelites." But Paul hath told us that " they are not all Israel who are of Israel, not all children of the promise who are children of the flesh." And, —
2. If it do any way concern the persons to whom that promise is given, it is an expression suited to the dispensation of God whereby he carrieth believers on in the enjoyment of the good things he gives them in and by his promises, without the least prediction of any event, being only declarative of what the Lord abhorreth, and of the connection that is between the antecedent and the consequent of the axiom wherein it is contained, and is far from the nature of those promises which hold out the purpose or intention of God, with the engaging of a real efficacy for their accomplishment. He adds, —
4. " If this be a promise of absolute perseverance, no time nor season can be imagined wherein it was fulfilled."
Ans. At all times and seasons to them to whom it was made, ac- cording to their concernment in it. But saith he, —
(1.) "It hath been proved that it was made to the community of the Jewish nation, towards whom it was not fulfilled."
Ans. (1.) It hath been said, indeed, again and again, but scarce once attempted to he proved, nor the reasoning of the apostle against some pretended proofs and answers to them at all removed. (2.) It was fulfilled to the body of that nation, as far as it concerned the body of that nation, in their typical return from their captivity. But then, —