75WithregardtothebuildingoftheTemplebySolomon，ifitwasreallydictatebyGodwemustmaintainthesamedoctrine:namely，thatallthemeasurementswererevealedaccordingtotheopinionsandunderstandingoftheking；foraswearenotboundtobelievethatSolomonwasamathematician，wemayaffirmthathewasignorantofthetrueratiobetweenthecircumferenceandthediameterofacircle，andthat，likethegeneralityofworkmen，hethoughtthatitwasasthreetoone。76Butifitisallowabletodeclarethatwedonotunderstandthepassage，ingoodsoothIknownothingintheBiblethatwecanunderstand；fortheprocessofbuildingistherenarratedsimplyandasamerematterofhistory。77If，again，itispermittedtopretendthatthepassagehasanothermeaning，andwaswrittenasitisfromsomereasonunknowntous，thisisnolessthanacompletesubversaloftheBible；foreveryabsurdandevilinventionofhumanperversitycouldthus，withoutdetrimenttoScripturalauthority，bedefendedandfostered。78Ourconclusionisinnowiseimpious，forthoughSolomon，Isaiah，Joshua，&c。wereprophets，theywerenonethelessmen，andassuchnotexemptfromhumanshortcomings。
79AccordingtotheunderstandingofNoahitwasrevealedtohimthatGodasabouttodestroythewholehumanrace，forNoahthoughtthatbeyondthelimitsofPalestinetheworldwasnotinhabited。
80Notonlyinmattersofthiskind，butinothersmoreimportant，theabouttheDivineattributes，butheldquiteordinarynotionsaboutGod，andtothesenotionstheirrevelationswereadapted，asIwilldemonstratebyampleScripturaltestimony；fromallwhichonemayeasilyseethattheywerepraisedandcommended，notsomuchforthesublimityandeminenceoftheirintellectasfortheirpietyandfaithfulness。
81Adam，thefirstmantowhomGodwasrevealed，didnotknowthatHeisomnipotentandomniscient；forhehidhimselffromHim，andattemptedtomakeexcusesforhisfaultbeforeGod，asthoughhehadhadtodowithaman；thereforetohimalsowasGodrevealedaccordingtohisunderstanding-
thatis，asbeingunawareofhissituationorhissin，forAdamheard，orseemedtohear，theLordwalling，inthegarden，callinghimandaskinghimwherehewas；andthen，onseeinghisshamefacedness，askinghimwhetherhehadeatenoftheforbiddenfruit。82AdamevidentlyonlyknewtheDeityastheCreatorofallthings。83ToCainalsoGodwasrevealed，accordingtohisunderstanding，asignorantofhumanaffairs，norwasahigherconceptionoftheDeityrequiredforrepentanceofhissin。
83ToLabantheLordrevealedHimselfastheGodofAbraham，becauseLabanbelievedthateachnationhaditsownspecialdivinityseeGen。xxxi:29。
84AbrahamalsoknewnotthatGodisomnipresent，andhasforeknowledgeofallthings；forwhenheheardthesentenceagainsttheinhabitantsofSodom，heprayedthattheLordshouldnotexecuteittillHehadascertainedwhethertheyallmeritedsuchpunishment；forhesaidseeGen。xviii:24，\"Peradventuretherebefiftyrighteouswithinthecity，\"andinaccordancewiththisbeliefGodwasrevealedtohim；asAbrahamimagined，Hespakethus:\"Iwillgodownnow，andseewhethertheyhavedonealtogetheraccordingtothecryofitwhichiscomeuntoMe；and，ifnot，Iwillknow。\"
85Further，theDivinetestimonyconcerningAbrahamassertsnothingbutthathewasobedient，andthathe\"commandedhishouseholdafterhimthattheyshouldkeepthewayoftheLord\"Gen。xviii:19；itdoesnotstatethatheheldsublimeconceptionsoftheDeity。
86Moses，also，wasnotsufficientlyawarethatGodisomniscient，anddirectshumanactionsbyHissoledecree，foralthoughGodHimselfsaysthattheIsraelitesshouldhearkentoHim，Mosesstillconsideredthematterdoubtfulandrepeated，\"Butiftheywillnotbelieveme，norhearkenuntomyvoice。\"87TohiminlikemannerGodwasrevealedastakingnopartin，andasbeingignorantof，futurehumanactions:theLordgavehimtwosignsandsaid，\"Anditshallcometopassthatiftheywillnotbelievethee，neitherhearkentothevoiceofthefirstsign，thattheywillbelievethevoiceofthelattersign；butifnot，thoushalttakeofthewateroftheriver，\"&c。88Indeed，ifanyoneconsiderswithoutprejudicetherecordedopinionsofMoses，hewillplainlyseethatMosesconceivedtheDeityasaBeingWhohasalwaysexisted，doesexist，andalwayswillexist，andforthiscausehecallsHimbythenameJehovah，whichinHebrewsignifiesthesethreephasesofexistence:astoHisnature，MosesonlytaughtthatHeismerciful，gracious，andexceedingjealous，asappearsfrommanypassagesinthePentateuch。89Lastly，hebelievedandtaughtthatthisBeingwassodifferentfromallotherbeings
thatHecouldnotbeexpressedbytheimageofanyvisiblething；also，thatHecouldnotbelookedupon，andthatnotsomuchfrominherentimpossibilityasfromhumaninfirmity；further，thatbyreasonofHispowerHewaswithoutequalandunique。90Mosesadmitted，indeed，thattherewerebeingsdoubtlessbytheplanandcommandoftheLordwhoactedasGod\'svicegerents-thatis，beingstowhomGodhadgiventheright，authority，andpowertodirectnations，andtoprovideandcareforthem；buthetaughtthatthisBeingWhomtheywereboundtoobeywasthehighestandSupremeGod，ortousetheHebrewphraseGodofgods，andthusinthesongExod。xv:11heexclaims，\"WhoislikeuntoThee，0Lord，amongthegods?\"andJethrosaysExod。xviii:11，\"NowIknowthattheLordisgreaterthanallgods。\"91Thatistosay，\"IamatlengthcompelledtoadmittoMosesthatJehovahisgreaterthanallgods，andthatHispowerisunrivalled。\"92WemustremainindoubtwhetherMosesthoughtthatthesebeingswhoactedasGod\'svicegerentswerecreatedbyHim，forhehasstatednothing，sofarasweknow，abouttheircreationandorigin。93
HefurthertaughtthatthisBeinghadbroughtthevisibleworldintoorderfromChaos，andhadgivenNaturehergerms，andthereforethatHepossessessupremerightandpoweroverallthings；further，thatbyreasonofthissupremerightandpowerHehadchosenforHimselfalonetheHebrewnationandacertainstripofterritory，andhadhandedovertothecareofothergodssubstitutedbyHimselftherestofthenationsandterritories，andthatthereforeHewascalledtheGodofIsraelandtheGodofJerusalem，whereastheothergodswerecalledthegodsoftheGentiles。94ForthisreasontheJewsbelievedthatthestripofterritorywhichGodhadchosenforHimself，demandedaDivineworshipquiteapartanddifferentfromtheworshipwhichobtainedelsewhere，andthattheLordwouldnotsuffertheworshipofothergodsadaptedtoothercountries。95ThustheythoughtthatthepeoplewhomthekingofAssyriahadbroughtintoJudaeaweretorninpiecesbylionsbecausetheyknewnottheworshipoftheNationalDivinity2Kingsxvii:25。
96Jacob，accordingtoAbenEzra\'sopinion，thereforeadmonishedhissonswhenhewishedthemtoseekoutanewcountry，thattheyshouldpreparethemselvesforanewworship，andlayasidetheworshipofstrange，gods-
thatis，ofthegodsofthelandwheretheywereGen。xxxv:2，3。
97David，intellingSaulthathewascompelledbytheking\'spersecutiontoliveawayfromhiscountry，saidthathewasdrivenoutfromtheheritageoftheLord，andsenttoworshipothergods1Sam。xxvi:19。98Lastly，hebelievedthatthisBeingorDeityhadHishabitationintheheavensDeut。xxxiii:27，anopinionverycommonamongtheGentiles。
99IfwenowexaminetherevelationstoMoses，weshallfindthattheywereaccommodatedtotheseopinions；ashebelievedthattheDivineNaturewassubjecttotheconditionsofmercy，graciousness，&c。，soGodwasrevealedtohiminaccordancewithhisideaandundertheseattributesseeExodusxxxiv:6，7，andthesecondcommandment。100FurtheritisrelatedEx。xxxiii:18thatMosesaskedofGodthathemightbeholdHim，butasMosesaswehavesaidhadformednomentalimageofGod，andGodasI
haveshownonlyrevealedHimselftotheprophetsinaccordancewiththedispositionoftheirimagination，HedidnotrevealHimselfinanyform。
101This，Irepeat，wasbecausetheimaginationofMoseswasunsuitable，forotherprophetsbearwitnessthattheysawtheLord；forinstance，Isaiah，Ezekiel，Daniel，&c。102ForthisreasonGodansweredMoses，\"ThoucanstnotseeMyface；\"andinasmuchasMosesbelievedthatGodcanbelookedupon-thatis，thatnocontradictionoftheDivinenatureisthereininvolvedforotherwisehewouldneverhavepreferredhisrequest-itisadded，\"FornooneshalllookonMeandlive，\"thusgivingareasoninaccordancewithMoses\'idea，foritisnotstatedthatacontradictionoftheDivinenaturewouldbeinvolved，aswasreallythecase，butthatthethingwouldnotcometopassbecauseofhumaninfirmity。
103WhenGodwouldrevealtoMosesthattheIsraelites，becausetheyworshippedthecalf，weretobeplacedinthesamecategoryasothernations，Hesaidch。xxxiii:2，3，thatHewouldsendanangelthatis，abeingwhoshouldhavechargeoftheIsraelites，insteadoftheSupremeBeing，andthatHeHimselfwouldnolongerremainamongthem；thusleavingMosesnogroundforsupposingthattheIsraelitesweremorebelovedbyGodthantheothernationswhoseguardianshipHehadentrustedtootherbeingsorangelsvideverse16。
104Lastly，asMosesbelievedthatGoddweltintheheavens，Godwasrevealedtohimascomingdownfromheavenontoamountain，andinordertotalkwiththeLordMoseswentupthemountain，whichhecertainlyneednothavedoneifhecouldhaveconceivedofGodasomnipresent。
105TheIsraelitesknewscarcelyanythingofGod，althoughHewasrevealedtothem；andthisisabundantlyevidentfromtheirtransferring，afewdaysafterwards，thehonourandworshipduetoHimtoacalf，whichtheybelievedtobethegodwhohadbroughtthemoutofEgypt。106Intruth，itishardlylikelythatmenaccustomedtothesuperstitionsofEgypt，uncultivatedandsunkinmostabjectslavery，shouldhaveheldanysoundnotionsabouttheDeity，orthatMosesshouldhavetaughtthemanythingbeyondaruleofrightliving；inculcatingitnotlikeaphilosopher，astheresultoffreedom，butlikealawgivercompellingthemtobemoralbylegalauthority。107Thustheruleofrightliving，theworshipandloveofGod，wastothemratherabondagethanthetrueliberty，thegiftandgraceoftheDeity。108MosesbidthemloveGodandkeepHislaw，becausetheyhadinthepastreceivedbenefitsfromHimsuchasthedeliverancefromslaveryinEgypt，andfurtherterrifiedthemwiththreatsiftheytransgressedHiscommands，holdingoutmanypromisesofgoodiftheyshouldobservethem；thustreatingthemasparentstreatirrationalchildren。Itis，therefore，certainthattheyknewnottheexcellenceofvirtueandthetruehappiness。
109JonahthoughtthathewasfleeingfromthesightofGod，whichseemstoshowthathetooheldthatGodhadentrustedthecareofthenationsoutsideJudaeatoothersubstitutedpowers。110NooneinthewholeoftheOldTestamentspeaksmorerationallyofGodthanSolomon，whoinfactsurpassedallthemenofhistimeinnaturalability。111Yetheconsideredhimselfabovethelawesteemingitonlytohavebeengivenformenwithoutreasonableandintellectualgroundsfortheiractions，andmadesmallaccountofthelawsconcerningkings，whicharemainlythree:nay，heopenlyviolatedtheminthishedidwrong，andactedinamannerunworthyofaphilosopher，byindulginginsensualpleasure，andtaughtthatallFortune\'sfavourstomankindarevanity，thathumanityhasnonoblergiftthanwisdom，andnogreaterpunishmentthanfolly。
112SeeProverbsxvi:22，23。
113Butletusreturntotheprophetswhoseconflictingopinionswehaveundertakentonote。114TheexpressedideasofEzekielseemedsodiversefromthoseofMosestotheRabbiswhohaveleftustheextantpropheticbooksasistoldinthetreatiseofSabbathus，i:13，2，thattheyhadseriousthoughtsofomittinghisprophecyfromthecanon，andwoulddoubtlesshavethusexcludeditifacertainHananiahhadnotundertakentoexplainit；ataskwhichasistherenarratedhewithgreatzealandlabouraccomplished。115Howhedidsodoesnotsufficientlyappear，whetheritwasbywritingacommentarywhichhasnowperished，orbyalteringEzekiel\'swordsandaudaciously-strikingoutphrasesaccordingtohisfancy。116Howeverthismaybe，chapterxviii。certainlydoesnotseemtoagreewithExodusxxxiv:7，Jeremiahxxxii:18，&c。
117SamuelbelievedthattheLordneverrepentedofanythingHehaddecreed1Sam。xv:29，forwhenSaulwassorryforhissin，andwishedtoworshipGodandaskforforgiveness，SamuelsaidthattheLordwouldnotgobackfromhisdecree。
118ToJeremiah，ontheotherhand，itwasrevealedthat，\"IfthatnationagainstwhomItheLordhavepronounced，turnfromtheirevil，IwillrepentoftheevilthatIthoughttodountothem。119Ifitdoevilinmysight，thatitobeynotmyvoice，thenIwillrepentofthegoodwherewithI
saidIwouldbenefitthem\"Jer。xviii:8-10。120Joelii:13taughtthattheLordrepentedHimonlyofevil。121Lastly，itisclearfromGeniv:7
thatamancanovercomethetemptationsofsin，andactrighteously；forthisdoctrineistoldtoCain，though，aswelearnfromJosephusandtheScriptures，heneverdidsoovercomethem。122AndthisagreeswiththechapterofJeremiahjustcited，foritistheresaidthattheLordrepentsofthegoodortheevilpronounced，ifthemeninquestionchangetheirwaysandmanneroflife。123But，ontheotherhand，PaulRom。ix:10teachesasplainlyaspossiblethatmenhavenocontroloverthetemptationsofthefleshsavebythespecialvocationandgraceofGod。124AndwhenRom。iii:5andvi:19heattributesrighteousnesstoman，hecorrectshimselfasspeakingmerelyhumanlyandthroughtheinfirmityoftheflesh。
125Wehavenowmorethansufficientlyprovedourpoint，thatGodadaptedrevelationstotheunderstandingandopinionsoftheprophets，andthatinmattersoftheorywithoutbearingoncharityormoralitytheprophetscouldbe，and，infact，were，ignorant，andheldconflictingopinions。126Itthereforefollowsthatwemustbynomeansgototheprophetsforknowledge，eitherofnaturalorofspiritualphenomena。
127Wehavedetermined，then，thatweareonlyboundtobelieveinthepropheticwritings，theobjectandsubstanceoftherevelation；withregardtothedetails，everyonemaybelieveornot，ashelikes。
128Forinstance，therevelationtoCainonlyteachesusthatGodadmonishedhimtoleadthetruelife，forsuchaloneistheobjectandsubstanceoftherevelation，notdoctrinesconcerningfreewillandphilosophy。129Hence，thoughthefreedomofthewillisclearlyimpliedinthewordsoftheadmonition，weareatlibertytoholdacontraryopinion，sincethewordsandreasonswereadaptedtotheunderstandingofCain。
130So，too，therevelationtoMicaiahwouldonlyteachthatGodrevealedtohimthetrueissueofthebattlebetweenAhabandAram；andthisisallweareboundtobelieve。131WhateverelseiscontainedintherevelationconcerningthetrueandthefalseSpiritofGod，thearmyofheavenstandingontherighthandandontheleft，andalltheotherdetails，doesnotaffectusatall。132Everyonemaybelieveasmuchofitashisreasonallows。
132ThereasoningsbywhichtheLorddisplayedHispowertoJobiftheyreallywerearevelation，andtheauthorofthehistoryisnarrating，andnotmerely，assomesuppose，rhetoricallyadorninghisownconceptions，wouldcomeunderthesamecategory-thatis，theywereadaptedtoJob\'sunderstanding，forthepurposeofconvincinghim，andarenotuniversal，orfortheconvincingofallmen。
133WecancometonodifferentconclusionwithrespecttothereasoningsofChrist，bywhichHeconvictedthePhariseesofprideandignorance，andexhortedHisdisciplestoleadthetruelife。134Headaptedthemtoeachman\'sopinionsandprinciples。135Forinstance，whenHesaidtothePhariseesMatt。xii:26，\"AndifSatancastoutdevils，hishouseisdividedagainstitself，howthenshallhiskingdomstand?136\"HeonlywishedtoconvincethePhariseesaccording，totheirownprinciples，nottoteachthattherearedevils，oranykingdomofdevils。137So，too，whenHesaidtoHisdisciplesMatt。viii:10，\"Seethatyedespisenotoneoftheselittleones，forIsayuntoyouthattheirangels，\"&c。，Hemerelydesiredtowarnthemagainstprideanddespisinganyoftheirfellows，nottoinsistontheactualreasongiven，whichwassimplyadoptedinordertopersuadethemmoreeasily。
138Lastly，weshouldsay，exactlythesameoftheapostolicsignsandreasonings，butthereisnoneedtogofurtherintothesubject。139IfI
weretoenumerateallthepassagesofScriptureaddressedonlytoindividuals，ortoaparticularman\'sunderstanding，andwhichcannot，withoutgreatdangertophilosophy，bedefendedasDivinedoctrines，I
shouldgofarbeyondthebrevityatwhichIaim。140Letitsuffice，then，tohaveindicatedafewinstancesofgeneralapplication，andletthecuriousreaderconsiderothersbyhimself。141Althoughthepointswehavejustraisedconcerningprophetsandprophecyaretheonlyoneswhichhaveanydirectbearingontheendinview，namely，theseparationofPhilosophyfromTheology，still，asIhavetouchedonthegeneralquestion，ImayhereinquirewhetherthegiftofprophecywaspeculiartotheHebrews，orwhetheritwascommontoallnations。142ImustthencometoaconclusionaboutthevocationoftheHebrews，allofwhichIshalldointheensuingchapter。
CHAPTERIII。OFTHEVOCATIONOFTHEHEBREWS，AND
WHETHERTHEGIFTOFPROPHECYWASPECULIARTOTHEM。
1Everyman\'struehappinessandblessednessconsistsolelyintheenjoymentofwhatisgood，notinthepridethathealoneisenjoyingit，totheexclusionofothers。2Hewhothinkshimselfthemoreblessedbecauseheisenjoyingbenefitswhichothersarenot，orbecauseheismoreblessedormorefortunatethanhisfellows，isignorantoftruehappinessandblessedness，andthejoywhichhefeelsiseitherchildishorenviousandmalicious。3Forinstance，aman\'struehappinessconsistsonlyinwisdom，andtheknowledgeofthetruth，notatallinthefactthatheiswiserthanothers，orthatotherslacksuchknowledge:suchconsiderationsdonotincreasehiswisdomortruehappiness。
4Whoever，therefore，rejoicesforsuchreasons，rejoicesinanother\'smisfortune，andis，sofar，maliciousandbad，knowingneithertruehappinessnorthepeaceofthetruelife。
5WhenScripture，therefore，inexhortingtheHebrewstoobeythelaw，saysthattheLordhaschosenthemforHimselfbeforeothernationsDeut。x:15；thatHeisnearthem，butnotnearothersDeut。iv:7；thattothemaloneHehasgivenjustlawsDeut。iv:8；and，lastly，thatHehasmarkedthemoutbeforeothersDeut。iv:32；itspeaksonlyaccordingtotheunderstandingofitshearers，who，aswehaveshowninthelastchapter，andasMosesalsotestifiesDeut。ix:6，7，knewnottrueblessedness。6ForingoodsooththeywouldhavebeennolessblessedifGodhadcalledallmenequallytosalvation，norwouldGodhavebeenlesspresenttothemforbeingequallypresenttoothers；theirlaws，wouldhavebeennolessjustiftheyhadbeenordainedforall，andtheythemselveswouldhavebeennolesswise。
7ThemiracleswouldhaveshownGod\'spowernolessbybeingwroughtforothernationsalso；lastly，theHebrewswouldhavebeenjustasmuchboundtoworshipGodifHehadbestowedallthesegiftsequallyonallmen。
8WhenGodtellsSolomon1Kingsiii:12thatnooneshallbeaswiseasheintimetocome，itseemstobeonlyamannerofexpressingsurpassingwisdom；itislittletobebelievedthatGodwouldhavepromisedSolomon，forhisgreaterhappiness，thatHewouldneverendowanyonewithsomuchwisdomintimetocome；thiswouldinnowisehaveincreasedSolomon\'sintellect，andthewisekingwouldhavegivenequalthankstotheLordifeveryonehadbeengiftedwiththesamefaculties。
9Still，thoughweassertthatMoses，inthepassagesofthePentateuchjustcited，spokeonlyaccordingtotheunderstandingoftheHebrews，wehavenowishtodenythatGodordainedtheMosaiclawforthemalone，northatHespoketothemalone，northattheywitnessedmarvelsbeyondthosewhichhappenedtoanyothernation；butwewishtoemphasizethatMosesdesiredtoadmonishtheHebrewsinsuchamanner，andwithsuchreasoningsaswouldappealmostforciblytotheirchildishunderstanding，andconstrainthemtoworshiptheDeity。10Further，wewishedtoshowthattheHebrewsdidnotsurpassothernationsinknowledge，orinpiety，butevidentlyinsomeattributedifferentfromthese；ortospeakliketheScriptures，accordingtotheirunderstanding，thattheHebrewswerenotchosenbyGodbeforeothersforthesakeofthetruelifeandsublimeideas，thoughtheywereoftentheretoadmonished，butwithsomeotherobject。11
Whatthatobjectwas，Iwilldulyshow。
12ButbeforeIbegin，IwishinafewwordstoexplainwhatImeanbytheguidanceofGod，bythehelpofGod，externalandinward，and，lastly，whatIunderstandbyfortune。
13BythehelpofGod，Imeanthefixedandunchangeableorderofnatureorthechainofnaturalevents:forIhavesaidbeforeandshownelsewherethattheuniversallawsofnature，accordingtowhichallthingsexistandaredetermined，areonlyanothernamefortheeternaldecreesofGod，whichalwaysinvolveeternaltruthandnecessity。
14Sothattosaythateverythinghappensaccordingtonaturallaws，andtosaythateverythingisordainedbythedecreeandordinanceofGod，isthesamething。15NowsincethepowerinnatureisidenticalwiththepowerofGod，bywhichaloneallthingshappenandaredetermined，itfollowsthatwhatsoeverman，asapartofnature，provideshimselfwithtoaidandpreservehisexistence，orwhatsoevernatureaffordshimwithouthishelp，isgiventohimsolelybytheDivinepower，actingeitherthroughhumannatureorthroughexternalcircumstance。16Sowhateverhumannaturecanfurnishitselfwithbyitsowneffortstopreserveitsexistence，maybefitlycalledtheinwardaidofGod，whereaswhateverelseaccruestoman\'sprofitfromoutwardcausesmaybecalledtheexternalaidofGod。
17WecannoweasilyunderstandwhatismeantbytheelectionofGod。18
Forsincenoonecandoanythingsavebythepredeterminedorderofnature，thatisbyGod\'seternalordinanceanddecree，itfollowsthatnoonecanchooseaplanoflifeforhimself，oraccomplishanyworksavebyGod\'svocationchoosinghimfortheworkortheplanoflifeinquestion，ratherthananyother。19Lastly，byfortune，ImeantheordinanceofGodinsofarasitdirectshumanlifethroughexternalandunexpectedmeans。20
WiththesepreliminariesIreturntomypurposeofdiscoveringthereasonwhytheHebrewsweresaidtobeelectedbyGodbeforeothernations，andwiththedemonstrationIthusproceed。
21Allobjectsoflegitimatedesirefall，generallyspeaking，underoneofthesethreecategories:
1。Theknowledgeofthingsthroughtheirprimarycauses。
2。Thegovernmentofthepassions，ortheacquirementofthehabitofvirtue。
3。Secureandhealthylife。
22Themeanswhichmostdirectlyconducetowardsthefirsttwooftheseends，andwhichmaybeconsideredtheirproximateandefficientcausesarecontainedinhumannatureitself，sothattheiracquisitionhingesonlyonourownpower，andonthelawsofhumannature。23Itmaybeconcludedthatthesegiftsarenotpeculiartoanynation，buthavealwaysbeensharedbythewholehumanrace，unless，indeed，wewouldindulgethedreamthatnatureformerlycreatedmenofdifferentkinds。24Butthemeanswhichconducetosecurityandhealtharechieflyinexternalcircumstance，andarecalledthegiftsoffortunebecausetheydependchieflyonobjectivecausesofwhichweareignorant；forafoolmaybealmostasliabletohappinessorunhappinessasawiseman。25Nevertheless，humanmanagementandwatchfulnesscangreatlyassisttowardslivinginsecurityandwardingofftheinjuriesofourfellow-men，andevenofbeasts。26Reasonandexperienceshownomorecertainmeansofattainingthisobjectthantheformationofasocietywithfixedlaws，theoccupationofastripofterritoryandtheconcentrationofallforces，asitwere，intoonebody，thatisthesocialbody。27Nowforformingandpreservingasociety，noordinaryabilityandcareisrequired:thatsocietywillbemostsecure，moststable，andleastliabletoreverses，whichisfoundedanddirectedbyfar-seeingandcarefulmen；while，ontheotherhand，asocietyconstitutedbymenwithouttrainedskill，dependsinagreatmeasureonfortune，andislessconstant。28If，inspiteofall，suchasocietylastsalongtime，itisowingtosomeotherdirectinginfluencethanitsown；ifitovercomesgreatperilsanditsaffairsprosper，itwillperforcemarvelatandadoretheguidingSpiritofGodinsofar，thatis，asGodworksthroughhiddenmeans，andnotthroughthenatureandmindofman，foreverythinghappenstoitunexpectedlyandcontrarytoanticipation，itmayevenbesaidandthoughttobebymiracle。29Nations，then，aredistinguishedfromoneanotherinrespecttothesocialorganizationandthelawsunderwhichtheyliveandaregoverned；theHebrewnationwasnotchosenbyGodinrespecttoitswisdomnoritstranquillityofmind，butinrespecttoitssocialorganizationandthegoodfortunewithwhichitobtainedsupremacyandkeptitsomanyyears。30ThisisabundantlyclearfromScripture。EvenacursoryperusalwillshowusthattheonlyrespectsinwhichtheHebrewssurpassedothernations，areintheirsuccessfulconductofmattersrelatingtogovernment，andintheirsurmountinggreatperilssolelybyGod\'sexternalaid；inotherwaystheywereonaparwiththeirfellows，andGodwasequallygracioustoall。31ForinrespecttointellectaswehaveshowninthelastchaptertheyheldveryordinaryideasaboutGodandnature，sothattheycannothavebeenGod\'schoseninthisrespect；norweretheysochoseninrespectofvirtueandthetruelife，forhereagainthey，withtheexceptionofaveryfewelect，wereonanequalitywithothernations:thereforetheirchoiceandvocationconsistedonlyinthetemporalhappinessandadvantagesofindependentrule。
32Infact，wedonotseethatGodpromisedanythingbeyondthistothepatriarchs[Endnote4]ortheirsuccessors；inthelawnootherrewardisofferedforobediencethanthecontinualhappinessofanindependentcommonwealthandothergoodsofthislife；while，ontheotherhand，againstcontumacyandthebreakingofthecovenantisthreatenedthedownfallofthecommonwealthandgreathardships。33Noristhistobewonderedat；fortheendsofeverysocialorganizationandcommonwealthareasappearsfromwhatwehavesaid，andaswewillexplainmoreatlengthhereaftersecurityandcomfort；acommonwealthcanonlyexistbythelawsbeingbindingonall。
34Ifallthemembersofastatewishtodisregardthelaw，bythatveryfacttheydissolvethestateanddestroythecommonwealth。35Thus，theonlyrewardwhichcouldbepromisedtotheHebrewsforcontinuedobediencetothelawwassecurity[Endnote5]anditsattendantadvantages，whilenosurerpunishmentcouldbethreatenedfordisobedience，thantheruinofthestateandtheevilswhichgenerallyfollowtherefrom，inadditiontosuchfurtherconsequencesasmightaccruetotheJewsinparticularfromtheruinoftheirespecialstate。36Butthereisnoneedheretogointothispointatmorelength。37IwillonlyaddthatthelawsoftheOldTestamentwererevealedandordainedtotheJewsonly，forasGodchosetheminrespecttothespecialconstitutionoftheirsocietyandgovernment，theymust，ofcourse，havehadspeciallaws。38WhetherGodordainedspeciallawsforothernationsalso，andrevealedHimselftotheirlawgiversprophetically，thatis，undertheattributesbywhichthelatterwereaccustomedtoimagineHim，Icannotsufficientlydetermine。39ItisevidentfromScriptureitselfthatothernationsacquiredsupremacyandparticularlawsbytheexternalaidofGod；witnessonlythetwofollowingpassages:
40InGenesisxiv:18，19，20，itisrelatedthatMelchisedekwaskingofJerusalemandpriestoftheMostHighGod，thatinexerciseofhispriestlyfunctionsheblessedAbraham，andthatAbrahamthebelovedoftheLordgavetothispriestofGodatitheofallhisspoils。41ThissufficientlyshowsthatbeforeHefoundedtheIsraelitishnationGodconstitutedkingsandpriestsinJerusalem，andordainedforthemritesandlaws。42WhetherHedidsopropheticallyis，asIhavesaid，notsufficientlyclear；butIamsureofthis，thatAbraham，whilsthesojournedinthecity，livedscrupulouslyaccordingtotheselaws，forAbrahamhadreceivednospecialritesfromGod；andyetitisstatedGen。xxvi:5，thatheobservedtheworship，theprecepts，thestatutes，andthelawsofGod，whichmustbeinterpretedtomeantheworship，thestatutes，theprecepts，andthelawsofkingMelchisedek。43MalachichidestheJewsasfollowsi:10-11。:\"Whoisthereamongyouthatwillshutthedoors?[oftheTemple]；neitherdoyekindlefireonminealtarfornought。44Ihavenopleasureinyou，saiththeLordofHosts。45Forfromtherisingofthesun，evenuntilthegoingdownofthesameMyNameshallbegreatamongtheGentiles；andineveryplaceincenseshallbeofferedinMyName，andapureoffering；forMyNameisgreatamongtheheathen，saiththeLordofHosts。\"46Thesewords，which，unlesswedoviolencetothem，couldonlyrefertothecurrentperiod，abundantlytestifythattheJewsofthattimewerenotmorebelovedbyGodthanothernations，thatGodthenfavouredothernationswithmoremiraclesthanHevouchsafedtotheJews，whohadthenpartlyrecoveredtheirempirewithoutmiraculousaid；and，lastly，thattheGentilespossessedritesandceremoniesacceptabletoGod。47ButIpassoverthesepointslightly:itisenoughformypurposetohaveshownthattheelectionoftheJewshadregardtonothingbuttemporalphysicalhappinessandfreedom，inotherwords，autonomousgovernment，andtothemannerandmeansbywhichtheyobtainedit；consequentlytothelawsinsofarastheywerenecessarytothepreservationofthatspecialgovernment；and，lastly，tothemannerinwhichtheywererevealed。Inregardtoothermatters，whereinman\'struehappinessconsists，theywereonaparwiththerestofthenations。
48When，therefore，itissaidinScriptureDeut。iv:7thattheLordisnotsonightoanyothernationasHeistotheJews，referenceisonlymadetotheirgovernment，andtotheperiodwhensomanymiracleshappenedtothem，forinrespectofintellectandvirtue-thatis，inrespectofblessedness-Godwas，aswehavesaidalready，andarenowdemonstrating，equallygracioustoall。49Scriptureitselfbearstestimonytothisfact，forthePsalmistsayscxlv:18，\"TheLordisnearuntoallthemthatcalluponHim，toallthatcalluponHimintruth。\"50SointhesamePsalm，verse9，\"TheLordisgoodtoall，andHistendermerciesareoverallHisworks。\"InPs。xxxiii:16，itisclearlystatedthatGodhasgrantedtoallmenthesameintellect，inthesewords，Hefashioneththeirheartsalike。\"TheheartwasconsideredbytheHebrews，asIsupposeeveryoneknows，tobetheseatofthesoulandtheintellect。
51Lastly，fromJobxxxviii:28，itisplainthatGodhadordainedforthewholehumanracethelawtoreverenceGod，tokeepfromevildoing，ortodowell，andthatJob，althoughaGentile，wasofallmenmostacceptabletoGod，becauseheexceededallinpietyandreligion。52Lastly，fromJonahiv:2，itisveryevidentthat，notonlytotheJewsbuttoallmen，Godwasgracious，merciful，long-suffering，andofgreatgoodness，andrepentedHimoftheevil，forJonahsays:\"ThereforeIdeterminedtofleebeforeuntoTarshish，forIknowthatThouartagraciousGod，andmerciful，slowtoanger，andofgreatkindness，\"&c。，andthat，therefore，GodwouldpardontheNinevites。53Weconclude，thereforeinasmuchasGodistoallmenequallygracious，andtheHebrewswereonly，chosenbyhiminrespecttotheirsocialorganizationandgovernment，thattheindividualJew，takenapartfromhissocialorganizationandgovernment，possessednogiftofGodaboveothermen，andthattherewasnodifferencebetweenJewandGentile。54AsitisafactthatGodisequallygracious，merciful，andtherest，toallmen；andasthefunctionoftheprophetwastoteachmennotsomuchthelawsoftheircountry，astruevirtue，andtoexhortthemthereto，itisnottobedoubtedthatallnationspossessedprophets，andthatthepropheticgiftwasnotpeculiartotheJews。55Indeed，history，bothprofaneandsacred，bearswitnesstothefact。56Although，fromthesacredhistoriesoftheOldTestament，itisnotevidentthattheothernationshadasmanyprophetsastheHebrews，orthatanyGentileprophetwasexpresslysentbyGodtothenations，thisdoesnotaffectthequestion，fortheHebrewswerecarefultorecordtheirownaffairs，notthoseofothernations。57Itsuffices，then，thatwefindintheOldTestamentGentiles，anduncircumcised，asNoah，Enoch，Abimelech，Balaam，&c。，exercisingpropheticgifts；further，thatHebrewprophetsweresentbyGod，notonlytotheirownnationbuttomanyothersalso。58
Ezekielprophesiedtoallthenationsthenknown；Obadiahtonone，thatweareawareof，savetheIdumeans；andJonahwaschieflytheprophettotheNinevites。59Isaiahbewailsandpredictsthecalamities，andhailstherestorationnotonlyoftheJewsbutalsoofothernations，forhesayschap。xvi:9，\"ThereforeIwillbewailJazerwithweeping；\"andinchap。
xix。heforetellsfirstthecalamitiesandthentherestorationoftheEgyptiansseeverses19，20，21，25，sayingthatGodshallsendthemaSaviourtofreethem，thattheLordshallbeknowninEgypt，and，further，thattheEgyptiansshallworshipGodwithsacrificeandoblation；and，atlast，hecallsthatnationtheblessedEgyptianpeopleofGod；allofwhichparticularsarespeciallynoteworthy。
60Jeremiahiscalled，nottheprophetoftheHebrewnation，butsimplytheprophetofthenationsseeJer:i。5。61Healsomournfullyforetellsthecalamitiesofthenations，andpredictstheirrestoration，forhesaysxlviii:31oftheMoabites，\"ThereforewillIhowlforMoab，andIwillcryoutforallMoab\"verse36，\"andthereforemineheartshallsoundforMoablikepipes；\"intheendheprophesiestheirrestoration，asalsotherestorationoftheEgyptians，Ammonites，andElamites。62Whereforeitisbeyonddoubtthatothernationsalso，liketheJews，hadtheirprophets，whoprophesiedtothem。
63AlthoughScriptureonly，makesmentionofoneman，Balaam，towhomthefutureoftheJewsandtheothernationswasrevealed，wemustnotsupposethatBalaamprophesiedonlyonce，forfromthenarrativeitselfitisabundantlyclearthathehadlongpreviouslybeenfamousforprophesyandotherDivinegifts。64ForwhenBalakbadehimtocometohim，hesaidNum。xxii:6，\"ForIknowthathewhomthoublessestisblessed，andhewhomthoucursestiscursed。\"65ThusweseethathepossessedthegiftwhichGodhadbestowedonAbraham。Further，asaccustomedtoprophesy
BalaambadethemessengerswaitforhimtillthewilloftheLordwasrevealedtohim。66Whenheprophesied，thatis，whenheinterpretedthetruemindofGod，hewaswonttosaythisofhimself:\"Hehathsaid，whichheardthewordsofGodandknewtheknowledgeoftheMostHigh，whichsawthevisionoftheAlmightyfallingintoatrance，buthavinghiseyesopen。\"67Further，afterhehadblessedtheHebrewsbythecommandofGod，hebeganaswashiscustomtoprophesytoothernations，andtopredicttheirfuture；allofwhichabundantlyshowsthathehadalwaysbeenaprophet，orhadoftenprophesied，andaswemayalsoremarkherepossessedthatwhichaffordedthechiefcertaintytoprophetsofthetruthoftheirprophecy，namely，amindturnedwhollytowhatisrightandgood，forhedidnotblessthosewhomhewishedtobless，norcursethosewhomhewishedtocurse，asBalaksupposed，butonlythosewhomGodwishedtobeblessedorcursed。68ThusheansweredBalak:\"IfBalakshouldgivemehishousefullofsilverandgold，IcannotgobeyondthecommandmentoftheLordtodoeithergoodorbadofmyownmind；butwhattheLordsaith，thatwillI
speak。\"69AsforGodbeingangrywithhimintheway，thesamehappenedtoMoseswhenhesetouttoEgyptbythecommandoftheLord；andastohisreceivingmoneyforprophesying，Samueldidthesame1Sam。ix:7，8；ifinanywayhesinned，\"thereisnotajustmanuponearththatdoethgoodandsinnethnot，\"Eccles。vii:20。Vide2Epist。Peterii:15，16，andJude5:11。
70HisspeechesmustcertainlyhavehadmuchweightwithGod，andHispowerforcursingmustassuredlyhavebeenverygreatfromthenumberoftimesthatwefindstatedinScripture，inproofofGod\'sgreatmercytotheJews，thatGodwouldnothearBalaam，andthatHechangedthecursingtoblessingseeDeut。xxiii:6，Josh。xxiv:10，Neh。xiii:2。71WhereforehewaswithoutdoubtmostacceptabletoGod，forthespeechesandcursingsofthewickedmoveGodnotatall。72Asthenhewasatrueprophet，andneverthelessJoshuacallshimasoothsayeroraugur，itiscertainthatthistitlehadanhonourablesignification，andthatthosewhomtheGentilescalledaugursandsoothsayersweretrueprophets，whilethosewhomScriptureoftenaccusesandcondemnswerefalsesoothsayers，whodeceivedtheGentilesasfalseprophetsdeceivedtheJews；indeed，thisismadeevidentfromotherpassagesintheBible，whenceweconcludethatthegiftofprophecywasnotpeculiartotheJews，butcommontoallnations。73ThePharisees，however，vehementlycontendthatthisDivinegiftwaspeculiartotheirnation，andthattheothernationsforetoldthefuturewhatwillsuperstitioninventnext?bysomeunexplaineddiabolicalfaculty。74TheprincipalpassageofScripturewhichtheycite，bywayofconfirmingtheirtheorywithitsauthority，isExodusxxxiii:16，whereMosessaystoGod，\"ForwhereinshallitbeknownherethatIandThypeoplehavefoundgraceinThysight?isitnotinthatThougoestwithus?soshallwebeseparated，IandThypeople，fromallthepeoplethatareuponthefaceoftheearth。\"75FromthistheywouldinferthatMosesaskedofGodthatHeshouldbepresenttotheJews，andshouldrevealHimselftothemprophetically；further，thatHeshouldgrantthisfavourtonoothernation。
76ItissurelyabsurdthatMosesshouldhavebeenjealousofGod\'spresenceamongtheGentiles，orthatheshouldhavedaredtoaskanysuchthing。77Theactis，asMosesknewthatthedispositionandspiritofhisnationwasrebellious，heclearlysawthattheycouldnotcarryoutwhattheyhadbegunwithoutverygreatmiraclesandspecialexternalaidfromGod；nay，thatwithoutsuchaidtheymustnecessarilyperish:asitwasevidentthatGodwishedthemtobepreserved，heaskedforthisspecialexternalaid。78ThushesaysEx。xxxiv:9，\"IfnowIhavefoundgraceinThysight，0Lord，letmyLord，IprayThee，goamongus；foritisastiffneckedpeople。\"79Thereason，therefore，forhisseekingspecialexternalaidfromGodwasthestiffneckednessofthepeople，anditismadestillmoreplain，thatheaskedfornothingbeyondthisspecialexternalaidbyGod\'sanswer-forGodansweredatonceverse10ofthesamechapter-
\"Behold，Imakeacovenant:beforeallThypeopleIwilldomarvels，suchashavenotbeendoneinalltheearth，norinanynation。\"80ThereforeMoseshadinviewnothingbeyondthespecialelectionoftheJews，asIhaveexplainedit，andmadenootherrequesttoGod。81IconfessthatinPaul\'sEpistletotheRomans，Ifindanothertextwhichcarriesmoreweight，namely，wherePaulseemstoteachadifferentdoctrinefromthatheresetdown，forhetheresaysRom。iii:1:\"WhatadvantagethenhaththeJew?orwhatprofitisthereofcircumcision?82Mucheveryway:chiefly，becausethatuntothemwerecommittedtheoraclesofGod。\"
83ButifwelooktothedoctrinewhichPaulespeciallydesiredtoteach，weshallfindnothingrepugnanttoourpresentcontention；onthecontrary，hisdoctrineisthesameasours，forhesaysRom。iii:29\"thatGodistheGodoftheJewsandoftheGentiles，and\"ch。ii:25，26\"But，ifthoubeabreakerofthelaw，thycircumcisionismadeuncircumcision。
84Thereforeiftheuncircumcisionkeeptherighteousnessofthelaw，shallnothisuncircumcisionbecountedforcircumcision?\"85Further，inchap。iv:verse9，hesaysthatallalike，JewandGentile，wereundersin，andthatwithoutcommandmentandlawthereisnosin。86Whereforeitismostevidentthattoallmenabsolutelywasrevealedthelawunderwhichalllived-namely，thelawwhichhasregardonlytotruevirtue，notthelawestablishedinrespectto，andintheformationofaparticularstateandadaptedtothedispositionofaparticularpeople。87Lastly，PaulconcludesthatsinceGodistheGodofallnations，thatis，isequallygracioustoall，andsinceallmenequallyliveunderthelawandundersin，soalsotoallnationsdidGodsendHisChrist，tofreeallmenequallyfromthebondageofthelaw，thattheyshouldnomoredorightbythecommandofthelaw，butbytheconstantdeterminationoftheirhearts。88
SothatPaulteachesexactlythesameasourselves。89When，therefore，hesays\"TotheJewsonlywereentrustedtheoraclesofGod，\"wemusteitherunderstandthattothemonlywerethelawsentrustedinwriting，whiletheyweregiventoothernationsmerelyinrevelationandconception，orelseasnonebutJewswouldobjecttothedoctrinehedesiredtoadvancethatPaulwasansweringonlyinaccordancewiththeunderstandingandcurrentideasoftheJews，forinrespecttoteachingthingswhichhehadpartlyseen，partlyheard，hewastotheGreeksaGreek，andtotheJewsaJew。
90ItnowonlyremainstoustoanswertheargumentsofthosewhowouldpersuadethemselvesthattheelectionoftheJewswasnottemporal，andmerelyinrespectoftheircommonwealth，buteternal；for，theysay，weseetheJewsafterthelossoftheircommonwealth，andafterbeingscatteredsomanyyearsandseparatedfromallothernations，stillsurviving，whichiswithoutparallelamongotherpeoples，andfurthertheScripturesseemtoteachthatGodhaschosenforHimselftheJewsforever，sothatthoughtheyhavelosttheircommonwealth，theystillneverthelessremainGod\'select。
91Thepassageswhichtheythinkteachmostclearlythiseternalelection，arechiefly:
1。Jer。xxxi:36，wheretheprophettestifiesthattheseedofIsraelshallforeverremainthenationofGod，comparingthemwiththestabilityoftheheavensandnature；
2。Ezek。xx:32，wheretheprophetseemstointendthatthoughtheJewswantedafterthehelpaffordedthemtoturntheirbacksontheworshipoftheLord，thatGodwouldneverthelessgatherthemtogetheragainfromallthelandsinwhichtheyweredispersed，andleadthemtothewildernessofthepeoples-asHehadledtheirfatherstothewildernessofthelandofEgypt-andwouldatlength，afterpurgingoutfromamongthemtherebelsandtransgressors，bringthemthencetohisHolymountain，wherethewholehouseofIsraelshouldworshipHim。Otherpassagesarealsocited，especiallybythePharisees，butIthinkIshallsatisfyeveryoneifI
answerthesetwo，andthisIshalleasilyaccomplishaftershowingfromScriptureitselfthatGodchosenottheHebrewsforever，butonlyontheconditionunderwhichHehadformerlychosentheCanaanites，fortheselast，aswehaveshown，hadpriestswhoreligiouslyworshippedGod，andwhomGodatlengthrejectedbecauseoftheirluxury，pride，andcorruptworship。
92MosesLev。xviii:27warnedtheIsraelitesthattheybenotpollutedwithwhoredoms，lestthelandspuethemoutasithadspuedoutthenationswhohaddwelttherebefore，andinDeut。viii:19，20，intheplainesttermsHethreatenstheirtotalruin，forHesays，\"Itestifyagainstyouthatyeshallsurelyperish。93AsthenationswhichtheLorddestroyethbeforeyourface，soshallyeperish。\"InlikemannermanyotherpassagesarefoundinthelawwhichexpresslyshowthatGodchosetheHebrewsneitherabsolutelynorforever。94If，then，theprophetsforetoldforthemanewcovenantoftheknowledgeofGod，love，andgrace，suchapromiseiseasilyprovedtobeonlymadetotheelect，forEzekielinthechapterwhichwehavejustquotedexpresslysaysthatGodwillseparatefromthemtherebelliousandtransgressors，andZephaniahiii:12，13，saysthat\"Godwilltakeawaytheproudfromthemidstofthem，andleavethepoor。\"95