word of truth itself and the event do manifest to be the mind of
426 JEWS OBJECTIONS AGAINST [ EXERC. XVIII.
Godin them, For the present, unto their general argument, we say that all the promises concerning the coming of the Messiah are ac- tually fulfilled; and those which concern his grace and kingdom are partly already accomplished, and for the remainder shall be so, in the manner, time, and season appointed for them and designed unto them in the purpose and counsel of God: so that from hence nothing can be concluded in favour of the Jews’ incredulity. To evidence the truth of this answer, I shall lay down and confirm certain un- questionable principles, that will guide us in the interpretation of the promises that are under consideration.
3. The first is, That the promises concerning the Messiah do prin- cipally respect spiritual things, and that eternal salvation which he was to obtain for his church. This we have proved at large before; and this the very nature of the thing itself and the words of the promises do abundantly manifest. The Jews, I suppose, will not deny but the promise concerning the Messiah is of the greatest good that ever God engaged himself to bestow upon them. I donot find that they anywhere deny it; and it is at present the sum of all their desires, prayers, and expectations, with the hope whereof they com- fort and support themselves in all their calamities. If they should deny it, it may easily be proved against them by innumerable testi- monies of Scripture, many whereof have been already produced. Now there can be no reason of this, but only because he was to work and effect for them, whoever they be, unto whom he was promised, the greatest good that they may or can be made partakers of But if it be only a good of an inferior nature that he was to effect, and any other means was to be used for that which was more principal and excellent, that means is much to be preferred before him and above him. Now, what is this chief good of man? Doth it consist in riches, honour, power, pleasures? The blindest of the heathen were never blind enough to think so; nor can any man entertain any such imagination without renouncing not only all right reason, but in an especial manner the whole Scripture. I think the Jews will not deny but that this good consists in the favour of God in this world, and the eternal enjoyment of him hereafter. Now, if the Messiah were promised only to procure those first, outward, tem- porary, perishing things, and these latter are to be obtained by another means,—namely, by the observation of the law of Moses,— it is evident that that is to be preferred infinitely before him; which that it is not, as we said, is manifest. from the whole Scripture, and confirmed by the traditional hope and expectation of the Jews. For if they enjoy that which is incomparably the chiefest good, to what end do they so miserably bemoan themselves in their present condi- tion, and with so much impatience cry out for the coming of their Messiah? Are they such slaves in their affections unto earthly,
) Seer. 3, 2] CHRISTIAN RELIGION ANSWERED. 427
perishing things, that, living in the enjoyment of all that is needful
~ to procure them the love and favour of God, with the eternal enjoy-
’
ment of him, they can have no rest or quiet because they enjoy not the good things of this life? Doubtless, this great expectation had a greater rise and cause than now they will own. I know men are apt to complain under, and to desire relief from, outward trouble; but to place the main of their religion herein, when they have grace, the pardon of sin, and heaven, on other accounts, this is only done by the Jews. But the truth is, although they continue in their desires of the coming of the Messiah, yet they have lost the reason why they do so: only this they find, that their forefathers from the days of Abraham placed all their happiness in his coming; and therefore they think that they also ought to do so, though why, they cannot tell, and will not understand. But this is that which we have proved to be the object of their faith and expectation of old,—namely, that the Messiah was promised to be a spiritual Redeemer, to save them from sin, Satan, death, and hell, to procure for them the favour of God, and to bring them to the enjoyment of him. Set this aside, and what have we to do to contend with the Jews about one that shall come and make war for them, conquer their enemies, and make them rich? Much good may it do them with such an one, when he comes. They say, indeed, that having the affluence of all things under him, they shall be the better enabled to keep the law of Moses, and so the way to heaven will be easier for them. But I fear that which they mani- fest their hearts to be set upon, as their chiefest end and aim, will scarcely much further them unto any other end whatever: the last end will not be made the means to another. Nor was it otherwise with their forefathers. “Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked.” ‘According to their pasture were they filled;” and sothey forgot the Lord. Prosperity ruined them; nor did they ever reform but under sore afflictions. The Messiah, then, that we contend with them about is a spiritual Redeemer. Such an one he was promised to be, as we have abun- dantly proved; and all promises of that nature are perfectly accom- plished, He is come, and hath “saved his people from their sins.” He hath “made an end of sin, and made reconciliation for iniquity, and brought in everlasting righteousness.” There is not one promise concerning grace, mercy, pardon, the love of God, and eternal blessed- ness by the Messiab,—which contain the whole of his direct and prin- cipal work,—but they are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus, are all exactly made good and accomplished. And this is testified unto by millions of souls now in the unchangeable fruition of God, and by all that seriously believe in him, who are yet alive. And this is firstly to be considered in our inquiry after the accomplishment of the pro- mises concerning the coming, grace, and kingdom of the Messiah. 4, Secondly, Hence it follows, That all promises concerning tem-