256 FAITH OF THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF THE JEWS [EXERC. XI.
desire to know, if he can pardon sin without sacrifices, why he can- not do it as easily as with them? or what is he eased of by sacri- fices? If it respect themselves, as indeed it doth, then it may be inquired what it isthat they shall be eased of in the obtaining of the pardon of sins by the use of sacrifices, when that is again re- ° stored unto them? This can be of nothing but of that which they are now forced to make use of for that end and purpose. And what is that? Why, repentance and amendment of life! If, then, they had their sacrifices, these might be spared, or at least much in them abated which at present 1s necessary. This, then, it seems, was the end why God instituted sacrifices, namely, that these Jews might obtain pardon of sin without either repentance or amendment! and this is that which they love as their souls, namely, that they may live in their sins, and be acquitted of all danger by sacrifices and > outward services. (3.) Atonement for sin is expressly necessary, or all the institutions of sacrifices for that.end, of old, were vain and ludicrous. At the same time, when sacrifices were in use, repent- ance was also required, and therefore not a cause or means for the same end in the same kind with them. And therefore, notwith- standing their pretence of repentance, no Jew, upon his own princi- ples, can now, in the total cessation of all sacrifices, obtain either pardon of sin here or salvation hereafter. But to proceed.
27. Their corrupt, carnal affections have, moreover, greatly con- tributed, and yet do so, unto their obstinacy in their unbelief. Hence have they coined their self-pleasing imaginations about the Messiah, and the work that he hath to do. That he should be a king and reign gloriously, that his dominion should be over all the world and endure throughout all generations, was promised concerning him from the beginning. They think much, therefore, what advantage this kingdom may afford unto them, comparing it in their minds with those other empires which they see in the world. Wealth, ease, liberty, dominion, or a share in power and rule, are the things that please their carnal minds, and evidently fill them with envy and wrath against them by whom they are possessed. These things they look after and hope for, as the only things that are desirable,— the only pledges, indeed, of the favour of God. No persons on the earth have their thoughts more fixed on them than they. As their oppressions increase, so do their desires after liberty and rule; and ~ they have learned nothing by their poverty but to grow in a greedy fierceness after riches. And when they would at any time set out the care of God towards their nation, they declare that “such a one in such a place was worth so many thousand crowns, or drove such a trade, or was in such favour as that he rode in a coach or chariot ;” as may be seen in the address of Manasseh unto the English. This covetousness and ambition, with revengeful thoughts against their
SECT. 27-29. ] CONCERNING THE MESSIAH. 257
oppressors, possessing their minds, makes them desire, hope, and believe, that the kingdom of their Messiah shall be of this world, and that therein their enjoyments shall be as large as whatever now their fancy can reach unto. And so perfectly are they under the power of these lusts and earthly desires in this matter, that, take away their hopes of satisfying of them in the good things of this world, they will on very easy terms bid adieu unto their Messiah, or grant that he is already come. But whilst they are obstinately fixed in the expectation of them, to tell them of a spiritual and heavenly kingdom, wherein the poorest and most persecuted person on the earth may have as good an interest and enjoy as much benefit by it as the greatest monarch in the world, and you do but cast away your words unto the wind.
28. Secondly, Since the propagation of the gospel, and its success in the world, envy against the Gentile believers, another corrupt lust, hath exceedingly perverted their minds in their notions about the Messiah, And this they are filled withal upon a twofold account :—
First, upon that of the spiritual privileges which they saw claimed by them. That the Gentiles, or nations of the earth distinct from Israel, should be fellow-heirs in the promise with the posterity of Abraham according unto the flesh, was declared by all the prophets of old. But yet, as we have showed, this was done by them in that obscure manner, in comparison of the revelation made of it in the gospel, that the grace and counsel of God therein is called a “ mys- tery” hid from the ages that went before. Wherefore, when this design of the love and wisdom of God was brought to light, it filled the Jews, who had lost the faith of it, with envy and wrath. See Acts xiii, 45-47, 50, xxii. 21-28; 1 Thess. ii. 15, 16. The stories of all ages from thence unto this day testify the same ; nor do they yet stick to express these corrupt affections as occasion is offered. And this envy, being greatly predominant in them, hardens them in their imagination of such a Messiah as by whom the Gentiles may receive no benefit but what .may accrue unto them by becoming their servants. They cannot endure to hear unto this day that the Gen- tiles should be equal sharers with themselves in the promise of the Messiah. They would have him unto themselves alone, or not at all, And this keeps up their desires and expectations of such a one as they have fancied for their own ends and purposes.