(75)WithregardtothebuildingoftheTemplebySolomon，ifitwasreallydictatebyGodwemustmaintainthesamedoctrine:namely，thatallthemeasurementswererevealedaccordingtotheopinionsandunderstandingoftheking；foraswearenotboundtobelievethatSolomonwasamathematician，wemayaffirmthathewasignorantofthetrueratiobetweenthecircumferenceandthediameterofacircle，andthat，likethegeneralityofworkmen，hethoughtthatitwasasthreetoone。(76)Butifitisallowabletodeclarethatwedonotunderstandthepassage，ingoodsoothIknownothingintheBiblethatwecanunderstand；fortheprocessofbuildingistherenarratedsimplyandasamerematterofhistory。(77)If，again，itispermittedtopretendthatthepassagehasanothermeaning，andwaswrittenasitisfromsomereasonunknowntous，thisisnolessthanacompletesubversaloftheBible；foreveryabsurdandevilinventionofhumanperversitycouldthus，withoutdetrimenttoScripturalauthority，bedefendedandfostered。(78)Ourconclusionisinnowiseimpious，forthoughSolomon，Isaiah，Joshua，&c。wereprophets，theywerenonethelessmen，andassuchnotexemptfromhumanshortcomings。
(79)AccordingtotheunderstandingofNoahitwasrevealedtohimthatGodasabouttodestroythewholehumanrace，forNoahthoughtthatbeyondthelimitsofPalestinetheworldwasnotinhabited。
(80)Notonlyinmattersofthiskind，butinothersmoreimportant，theabouttheDivineattributes，butheldquiteordinarynotionsaboutGod，andtothesenotionstheirrevelationswereadapted，asIwilldemonstratebyampleScripturaltestimony；fromallwhichonemayeasilyseethattheywerepraisedandcommended，notsomuchforthesublimityandeminenceoftheirintellectasfortheirpietyandfaithfulness。
(81)Adam，thefirstmantowhomGodwasrevealed，didnotknowthatHeisomnipotentandomniscient；forhehidhimselffromHim，andattemptedtomakeexcusesforhisfaultbeforeGod，asthoughhehadhadtodowithaman；thereforetohimalsowasGodrevealedaccordingtohisunderstanding-
thatis，asbeingunawareofhissituationorhissin，forAdamheard，orseemedtohear，theLordwalling，inthegarden，callinghimandaskinghimwherehewas；andthen，onseeinghisshamefacedness，askinghimwhetherhehadeatenoftheforbiddenfruit。(82)AdamevidentlyonlyknewtheDeityastheCreatorofallthings。(83)ToCainalsoGodwasrevealed，accordingtohisunderstanding，asignorantofhumanaffairs，norwasahigherconceptionoftheDeityrequiredforrepentanceofhissin。
(83)ToLabantheLordrevealedHimselfastheGodofAbraham，becauseLabanbelievedthateachnationhaditsownspecialdivinity(seeGen。xxxi:29)。
(84)AbrahamalsoknewnotthatGodisomnipresent，andhasforeknowledgeofallthings；forwhenheheardthesentenceagainsttheinhabitantsofSodom，heprayedthattheLordshouldnotexecuteittillHehadascertainedwhethertheyallmeritedsuchpunishment；forhesaid(seeGen。xviii:24)，\"Peradventuretherebefiftyrighteouswithinthecity，\"andinaccordancewiththisbeliefGodwasrevealedtohim；asAbrahamimagined，Hespakethus:\"Iwillgodownnow，andseewhethertheyhavedonealtogetheraccordingtothecryofitwhichiscomeuntoMe；and，ifnot，Iwillknow。\"
(85)Further，theDivinetestimonyconcerningAbrahamassertsnothingbutthathewasobedient，andthathe\"commandedhishouseholdafterhimthattheyshouldkeepthewayoftheLord\"(Gen。xviii:19)；itdoesnotstatethatheheldsublimeconceptionsoftheDeity。
(86)Moses，also，wasnotsufficientlyawarethatGodisomniscient，anddirectshumanactionsbyHissoledecree，foralthoughGodHimselfsaysthattheIsraelitesshouldhearkentoHim，Mosesstillconsideredthematterdoubtfulandrepeated，\"Butiftheywillnotbelieveme，norhearkenuntomyvoice。\"(87)TohiminlikemannerGodwasrevealedastakingnopartin，andasbeingignorantof，futurehumanactions:theLordgavehimtwosignsandsaid，\"Anditshallcometopassthatiftheywillnotbelievethee，neitherhearkentothevoiceofthefirstsign，thattheywillbelievethevoiceofthelattersign；butifnot，thoushalttakeofthewateroftheriver，\"&c。(88)Indeed，ifanyoneconsiderswithoutprejudicetherecordedopinionsofMoses，hewillplainlyseethatMosesconceivedtheDeityasaBeingWhohasalwaysexisted，doesexist，andalwayswillexist，andforthiscausehecallsHimbythenameJehovah，whichinHebrewsignifiesthesethreephasesofexistence:astoHisnature，MosesonlytaughtthatHeismerciful，gracious，andexceedingjealous，asappearsfrommanypassagesinthePentateuch。(89)Lastly，hebelievedandtaughtthatthisBeingwassodifferentfromallotherbeings
thatHecouldnotbeexpressedbytheimageofanyvisiblething；also，thatHecouldnotbelookedupon，andthatnotsomuchfrominherentimpossibilityasfromhumaninfirmity；further，thatbyreasonofHispowerHewaswithoutequalandunique。(90)Mosesadmitted，indeed，thattherewerebeings(doubtlessbytheplanandcommandoftheLord)whoactedasGod\'svicegerents-thatis，beingstowhomGodhadgiventheright，authority，andpowertodirectnations，andtoprovideandcareforthem；buthetaughtthatthisBeingWhomtheywereboundtoobeywasthehighestandSupremeGod，or(tousetheHebrewphrase)Godofgods，andthusinthesong(Exod。xv:11)heexclaims，\"WhoislikeuntoThee，0Lord，amongthegods?\"andJethrosays(Exod。xviii:11)，\"NowIknowthattheLordisgreaterthanallgods。\"(91)Thatistosay，\"IamatlengthcompelledtoadmittoMosesthatJehovahisgreaterthanallgods，andthatHispowerisunrivalled。\"(92)WemustremainindoubtwhetherMosesthoughtthatthesebeingswhoactedasGod\'svicegerentswerecreatedbyHim，forhehasstatednothing，sofarasweknow，abouttheircreationandorigin。(93)
HefurthertaughtthatthisBeinghadbroughtthevisibleworldintoorderfromChaos，andhadgivenNaturehergerms，andthereforethatHepossessessupremerightandpoweroverallthings；further，thatbyreasonofthissupremerightandpowerHehadchosenforHimselfalonetheHebrewnationandacertainstripofterritory，andhadhandedovertothecareofothergodssubstitutedbyHimselftherestofthenationsandterritories，andthatthereforeHewascalledtheGodofIsraelandtheGodofJerusalem，whereastheothergodswerecalledthegodsoftheGentiles。(94)ForthisreasontheJewsbelievedthatthestripofterritorywhichGodhadchosenforHimself，demandedaDivineworshipquiteapartanddifferentfromtheworshipwhichobtainedelsewhere，andthattheLordwouldnotsuffertheworshipofothergodsadaptedtoothercountries。(95)ThustheythoughtthatthepeoplewhomthekingofAssyriahadbroughtintoJudaeaweretorninpiecesbylionsbecausetheyknewnottheworshipoftheNationalDivinity(2Kingsxvii:25)。
(96)Jacob，accordingtoAbenEzra\'sopinion，thereforeadmonishedhissonswhenhewishedthemtoseekoutanewcountry，thattheyshouldpreparethemselvesforanewworship，andlayasidetheworshipofstrange，gods-
thatis，ofthegodsofthelandwheretheywere(Gen。xxxv:2，3)。
(97)David，intellingSaulthathewascompelledbytheking\'spersecutiontoliveawayfromhiscountry，saidthathewasdrivenoutfromtheheritageoftheLord，andsenttoworshipothergods(1Sam。xxvi:19)。(98)Lastly，hebelievedthatthisBeingorDeityhadHishabitationintheheavens(Deut。xxxiii:27)，anopinionverycommonamongtheGentiles。
(99)IfwenowexaminetherevelationstoMoses，weshallfindthattheywereaccommodatedtotheseopinions；ashebelievedthattheDivineNaturewassubjecttotheconditionsofmercy，graciousness，&c。，soGodwasrevealedtohiminaccordancewithhisideaandundertheseattributes(seeExodusxxxiv:6，7，andthesecondcommandment)。(100)Furtheritisrelated(Ex。xxxiii:18)thatMosesaskedofGodthathemightbeholdHim，butasMoses(aswehavesaid)hadformednomentalimageofGod，andGod(asI
haveshown)onlyrevealedHimselftotheprophetsinaccordancewiththedispositionoftheirimagination，HedidnotrevealHimselfinanyform。
(101)This，Irepeat，wasbecausetheimaginationofMoseswasunsuitable，forotherprophetsbearwitnessthattheysawtheLord；forinstance，Isaiah，Ezekiel，Daniel，&c。(102)ForthisreasonGodansweredMoses，\"ThoucanstnotseeMyface；\"andinasmuchasMosesbelievedthatGodcanbelookedupon-thatis，thatnocontradictionoftheDivinenatureisthereininvolved(forotherwisehewouldneverhavepreferredhisrequest)-itisadded，\"FornooneshalllookonMeandlive，\"thusgivingareasoninaccordancewithMoses\'idea，foritisnotstatedthatacontradictionoftheDivinenaturewouldbeinvolved，aswasreallythecase，butthatthethingwouldnotcometopassbecauseofhumaninfirmity。
(103)WhenGodwouldrevealtoMosesthattheIsraelites，becausetheyworshippedthecalf，weretobeplacedinthesamecategoryasothernations，Hesaid(ch。xxxiii:2，3)，thatHewouldsendanangel(thatis，abeingwhoshouldhavechargeoftheIsraelites，insteadoftheSupremeBeing)，andthatHeHimselfwouldnolongerremainamongthem；thusleavingMosesnogroundforsupposingthattheIsraelitesweremorebelovedbyGodthantheothernationswhoseguardianshipHehadentrustedtootherbeingsorangels(videverse16)。
(104)Lastly，asMosesbelievedthatGoddweltintheheavens，Godwasrevealedtohimascomingdownfromheavenontoamountain，andinordertotalkwiththeLordMoseswentupthemountain，whichhecertainlyneednothavedoneifhecouldhaveconceivedofGodasomnipresent。
(105)TheIsraelitesknewscarcelyanythingofGod，althoughHewasrevealedtothem；andthisisabundantlyevidentfromtheirtransferring，afewdaysafterwards，thehonourandworshipduetoHimtoacalf，whichtheybelievedtobethegodwhohadbroughtthemoutofEgypt。(106)Intruth，itishardlylikelythatmenaccustomedtothesuperstitionsofEgypt，uncultivatedandsunkinmostabjectslavery，shouldhaveheldanysoundnotionsabouttheDeity，orthatMosesshouldhavetaughtthemanythingbeyondaruleofrightliving；inculcatingitnotlikeaphilosopher，astheresultoffreedom，butlikealawgivercompellingthemtobemoralbylegalauthority。(107)Thustheruleofrightliving，theworshipandloveofGod，wastothemratherabondagethanthetrueliberty，thegiftandgraceoftheDeity。(108)MosesbidthemloveGodandkeepHislaw，becausetheyhadinthepastreceivedbenefitsfromHim(suchasthedeliverancefromslaveryinEgypt)，andfurtherterrifiedthemwiththreatsiftheytransgressedHiscommands，holdingoutmanypromisesofgoodiftheyshouldobservethem；thustreatingthemasparentstreatirrationalchildren。Itis，therefore，certainthattheyknewnottheexcellenceofvirtueandthetruehappiness。
(109)JonahthoughtthathewasfleeingfromthesightofGod，whichseemstoshowthathetooheldthatGodhadentrustedthecareofthenationsoutsideJudaeatoothersubstitutedpowers。(110)NooneinthewholeoftheOldTestamentspeaksmorerationallyofGodthanSolomon，whoinfactsurpassedallthemenofhistimeinnaturalability。(111)Yetheconsideredhimselfabovethelaw(esteemingitonlytohavebeengivenformenwithoutreasonableandintellectualgroundsfortheiractions)，andmadesmallaccountofthelawsconcerningkings，whicharemainlythree:nay，heopenlyviolatedthem(inthishedidwrong，andactedinamannerunworthyofaphilosopher，byindulginginsensualpleasure)，andtaughtthatallFortune\'sfavourstomankindarevanity，thathumanityhasnonoblergiftthanwisdom，andnogreaterpunishmentthanfolly。
(112)SeeProverbsxvi:22，23。
(113)Butletusreturntotheprophetswhoseconflictingopinionswehaveundertakentonote。(114)TheexpressedideasofEzekielseemedsodiversefromthoseofMosestotheRabbiswhohaveleftustheextantpropheticbooks(asistoldinthetreatiseofSabbathus，i:13，2)，thattheyhadseriousthoughtsofomittinghisprophecyfromthecanon，andwoulddoubtlesshavethusexcludeditifacertainHananiahhadnotundertakentoexplainit；ataskwhich(asistherenarrated)hewithgreatzealandlabouraccomplished。(115)Howhedidsodoesnotsufficientlyappear，whetheritwasbywritingacommentarywhichhasnowperished，orbyalteringEzekiel\'swordsandaudaciously-strikingoutphrasesaccordingtohisfancy。(116)Howeverthismaybe，chapterxviii。certainlydoesnotseemtoagreewithExodusxxxiv:7，Jeremiahxxxii:18，&c。
(117)SamuelbelievedthattheLordneverrepentedofanythingHehaddecreed(1Sam。xv:29)，forwhenSaulwassorryforhissin，andwishedtoworshipGodandaskforforgiveness，SamuelsaidthattheLordwouldnotgobackfromhisdecree。
(118)ToJeremiah，ontheotherhand，itwasrevealedthat，\"IfthatnationagainstwhomI(theLord)havepronounced，turnfromtheirevil，IwillrepentoftheevilthatIthoughttodountothem。(119)Ifitdoevilinmysight，thatitobeynotmyvoice，thenIwillrepentofthegoodwherewithI
saidIwouldbenefitthem\"(Jer。xviii:8-10)。(120)Joel(ii:13)taughtthattheLordrepentedHimonlyofevil。(121)Lastly，itisclearfromGeniv:7
thatamancanovercomethetemptationsofsin，andactrighteously；forthisdoctrineistoldtoCain，though，aswelearnfromJosephusandtheScriptures，heneverdidsoovercomethem。(122)AndthisagreeswiththechapterofJeremiahjustcited，foritistheresaidthattheLordrepentsofthegoodortheevilpronounced，ifthemeninquestionchangetheirwaysandmanneroflife。(123)But，ontheotherhand，Paul(Rom。ix:10)teachesasplainlyaspossiblethatmenhavenocontroloverthetemptationsofthefleshsavebythespecialvocationandgraceofGod。(124)Andwhen(Rom。iii:5andvi:19)heattributesrighteousnesstoman，hecorrectshimselfasspeakingmerelyhumanlyandthroughtheinfirmityoftheflesh。
(125)Wehavenowmorethansufficientlyprovedourpoint，thatGodadaptedrevelationstotheunderstandingandopinionsoftheprophets，andthatinmattersoftheorywithoutbearingoncharityormoralitytheprophetscouldbe，and，infact，were，ignorant，andheldconflictingopinions。(126)Itthereforefollowsthatwemustbynomeansgototheprophetsforknowledge，eitherofnaturalorofspiritualphenomena。
(127)Wehavedetermined，then，thatweareonlyboundtobelieveinthepropheticwritings，theobjectandsubstanceoftherevelation；withregardtothedetails，everyonemaybelieveornot，ashelikes。
(128)Forinstance，therevelationtoCainonlyteachesusthatGodadmonishedhimtoleadthetruelife，forsuchaloneistheobjectandsubstanceoftherevelation，notdoctrinesconcerningfreewillandphilosophy。(129)Hence，thoughthefreedomofthewillisclearlyimpliedinthewordsoftheadmonition，weareatlibertytoholdacontraryopinion，sincethewordsandreasonswereadaptedtotheunderstandingofCain。
(130)So，too，therevelationtoMicaiahwouldonlyteachthatGodrevealedtohimthetrueissueofthebattlebetweenAhabandAram；andthisisallweareboundtobelieve。(131)WhateverelseiscontainedintherevelationconcerningthetrueandthefalseSpiritofGod，thearmyofheavenstandingontherighthandandontheleft，andalltheotherdetails，doesnotaffectusatall。(132)Everyonemaybelieveasmuchofitashisreasonallows。
(132)ThereasoningsbywhichtheLorddisplayedHispowertoJob(iftheyreallywerearevelation，andtheauthorofthehistoryisnarrating，andnotmerely，assomesuppose，rhetoricallyadorninghisownconceptions)，wouldcomeunderthesamecategory-thatis，theywereadaptedtoJob\'sunderstanding，forthepurposeofconvincinghim，andarenotuniversal，orfortheconvincingofallmen。
(133)WecancometonodifferentconclusionwithrespecttothereasoningsofChrist，bywhichHeconvictedthePhariseesofprideandignorance，andexhortedHisdisciplestoleadthetruelife。(134)Headaptedthemtoeachman\'sopinionsandprinciples。(135)Forinstance，whenHesaidtothePharisees(Matt。xii:26)，\"AndifSatancastoutdevils，hishouseisdividedagainstitself，howthenshallhiskingdomstand?(136)\"HeonlywishedtoconvincethePhariseesaccording，totheirownprinciples，nottoteachthattherearedevils，oranykingdomofdevils。(137)So，too，whenHesaidtoHisdisciples(Matt。viii:10)，\"Seethatyedespisenotoneoftheselittleones，forIsayuntoyouthattheirangels，\"&c。，Hemerelydesiredtowarnthemagainstprideanddespisinganyoftheirfellows，nottoinsistontheactualreasongiven，whichwassimplyadoptedinordertopersuadethemmoreeasily。
(138)Lastly，weshouldsay，exactlythesameoftheapostolicsignsandreasonings，butthereisnoneedtogofurtherintothesubject。(139)IfI
weretoenumerateallthepassagesofScriptureaddressedonlytoindividuals，ortoaparticularman\'sunderstanding，andwhichcannot，withoutgreatdangertophilosophy，bedefendedasDivinedoctrines，I
shouldgofarbeyondthebrevityatwhichIaim。(140)Letitsuffice，then，tohaveindicatedafewinstancesofgeneralapplication，andletthecuriousreaderconsiderothersbyhimself。(141)Althoughthepointswehavejustraisedconcerningprophetsandprophecyaretheonlyoneswhichhaveanydirectbearingontheendinview，namely，theseparationofPhilosophyfromTheology，still，asIhavetouchedonthegeneralquestion，ImayhereinquirewhetherthegiftofprophecywaspeculiartotheHebrews，orwhetheritwascommontoallnations。(142)ImustthencometoaconclusionaboutthevocationoftheHebrews，allofwhichIshalldointheensuingchapter。
CHAPTERIII。OFTHEVOCATIONOFTHEHEBREWS，AND
WHETHERTHEGIFTOFPROPHECYWASPECULIARTOTHEM。
(1)Everyman\'struehappinessandblessednessconsistsolelyintheenjoymentofwhatisgood，notinthepridethathealoneisenjoyingit，totheexclusionofothers。(2)Hewhothinkshimselfthemoreblessedbecauseheisenjoyingbenefitswhichothersarenot，orbecauseheismoreblessedormorefortunatethanhisfellows，isignorantoftruehappinessandblessedness，andthejoywhichhefeelsiseitherchildishorenviousandmalicious。(3)Forinstance，aman\'struehappinessconsistsonlyinwisdom，andtheknowledgeofthetruth，notatallinthefactthatheiswiserthanothers，orthatotherslacksuchknowledge:suchconsiderationsdonotincreasehiswisdomortruehappiness。
(4)Whoever，therefore，rejoicesforsuchreasons，rejoicesinanother\'smisfortune，andis，sofar，maliciousandbad，knowingneithertruehappinessnorthepeaceofthetruelife。
(5)WhenScripture，therefore，inexhortingtheHebrewstoobeythelaw，saysthattheLordhaschosenthemforHimselfbeforeothernations(Deut。x:15)；thatHeisnearthem，butnotnearothers(Deut。iv:7)；thattothemaloneHehasgivenjustlaws(Deut。iv:8)；and，lastly，thatHehasmarkedthemoutbeforeothers(Deut。iv:32)；itspeaksonlyaccordingtotheunderstandingofitshearers，who，aswehaveshowninthelastchapter，andasMosesalsotestifies(Deut。ix:6，7)，knewnottrueblessedness。(6)ForingoodsooththeywouldhavebeennolessblessedifGodhadcalledallmenequallytosalvation，norwouldGodhavebeenlesspresenttothemforbeingequallypresenttoothers；theirlaws，wouldhavebeennolessjustiftheyhadbeenordainedforall，andtheythemselveswouldhavebeennolesswise。
(7)ThemiracleswouldhaveshownGod\'spowernolessbybeingwroughtforothernationsalso；lastly，theHebrewswouldhavebeenjustasmuchboundtoworshipGodifHehadbestowedallthesegiftsequallyonallmen。
(8)WhenGodtellsSolomon(1Kingsiii:12)thatnooneshallbeaswiseasheintimetocome，itseemstobeonlyamannerofexpressingsurpassingwisdom；itislittletobebelievedthatGodwouldhavepromisedSolomon，forhisgreaterhappiness，thatHewouldneverendowanyonewithsomuchwisdomintimetocome；thiswouldinnowisehaveincreasedSolomon\'sintellect，andthewisekingwouldhavegivenequalthankstotheLordifeveryonehadbeengiftedwiththesamefaculties。
(9)Still，thoughweassertthatMoses，inthepassagesofthePentateuchjustcited，spokeonlyaccordingtotheunderstandingoftheHebrews，wehavenowishtodenythatGodordainedtheMosaiclawforthemalone，northatHespoketothemalone，northattheywitnessedmarvelsbeyondthosewhichhappenedtoanyothernation；butwewishtoemphasizethatMosesdesiredtoadmonishtheHebrewsinsuchamanner，andwithsuchreasoningsaswouldappealmostforciblytotheirchildishunderstanding，andconstrainthemtoworshiptheDeity。(10)Further，wewishedtoshowthattheHebrewsdidnotsurpassothernationsinknowledge，orinpiety，butevidentlyinsomeattributedifferentfromthese；or(tospeakliketheScriptures，accordingtotheirunderstanding)，thattheHebrewswerenotchosenbyGodbeforeothersforthesakeofthetruelifeandsublimeideas，thoughtheywereoftentheretoadmonished，butwithsomeotherobject。(11)
Whatthatobjectwas，Iwilldulyshow。
(12)ButbeforeIbegin，IwishinafewwordstoexplainwhatImeanbytheguidanceofGod，bythehelpofGod，externalandinward，and，lastly，whatIunderstandbyfortune。
(13)BythehelpofGod，Imeanthefixedandunchangeableorderofnatureorthechainofnaturalevents:forIhavesaidbeforeandshownelsewherethattheuniversallawsofnature，accordingtowhichallthingsexistandaredetermined，areonlyanothernamefortheeternaldecreesofGod，whichalwaysinvolveeternaltruthandnecessity。
(14)Sothattosaythateverythinghappensaccordingtonaturallaws，andtosaythateverythingisordainedbythedecreeandordinanceofGod，isthesamething。(15)NowsincethepowerinnatureisidenticalwiththepowerofGod，bywhichaloneallthingshappenandaredetermined，itfollowsthatwhatsoeverman，asapartofnature，provideshimselfwithtoaidandpreservehisexistence，orwhatsoevernatureaffordshimwithouthishelp，isgiventohimsolelybytheDivinepower，actingeitherthroughhumannatureorthroughexternalcircumstance。(16)Sowhateverhumannaturecanfurnishitselfwithbyitsowneffortstopreserveitsexistence，maybefitlycalledtheinwardaidofGod，whereaswhateverelseaccruestoman\'sprofitfromoutwardcausesmaybecalledtheexternalaidofGod。
(17)WecannoweasilyunderstandwhatismeantbytheelectionofGod。(18)
Forsincenoonecandoanythingsavebythepredeterminedorderofnature，thatisbyGod\'seternalordinanceanddecree，itfollowsthatnoonecanchooseaplanoflifeforhimself，oraccomplishanyworksavebyGod\'svocationchoosinghimfortheworkortheplanoflifeinquestion，ratherthananyother。(19)Lastly，byfortune，ImeantheordinanceofGodinsofarasitdirectshumanlifethroughexternalandunexpectedmeans。(20)
WiththesepreliminariesIreturntomypurposeofdiscoveringthereasonwhytheHebrewsweresaidtobeelectedbyGodbeforeothernations，andwiththedemonstrationIthusproceed。
(21)Allobjectsoflegitimatedesirefall，generallyspeaking，underoneofthesethreecategories:
1。Theknowledgeofthingsthroughtheirprimarycauses。
2。Thegovernmentofthepassions，ortheacquirementofthehabitofvirtue。
3。Secureandhealthylife。
(22)Themeanswhichmostdirectlyconducetowardsthefirsttwooftheseends，andwhichmaybeconsideredtheirproximateandefficientcausesarecontainedinhumannatureitself，sothattheiracquisitionhingesonlyonourownpower，andonthelawsofhumannature。(23)Itmaybeconcludedthatthesegiftsarenotpeculiartoanynation，buthavealwaysbeensharedbythewholehumanrace，unless，indeed，wewouldindulgethedreamthatnatureformerlycreatedmenofdifferentkinds。(24)Butthemeanswhichconducetosecurityandhealtharechieflyinexternalcircumstance，andarecalledthegiftsoffortunebecausetheydependchieflyonobjectivecausesofwhichweareignorant；forafoolmaybealmostasliabletohappinessorunhappinessasawiseman。(25)Nevertheless，humanmanagementandwatchfulnesscangreatlyassisttowardslivinginsecurityandwardingofftheinjuriesofourfellow-men，andevenofbeasts。(26)Reasonandexperienceshownomorecertainmeansofattainingthisobjectthantheformationofasocietywithfixedlaws，theoccupationofastripofterritoryandtheconcentrationofallforces，asitwere，intoonebody，thatisthesocialbody。(27)Nowforformingandpreservingasociety，noordinaryabilityandcareisrequired:thatsocietywillbemostsecure，moststable，andleastliabletoreverses，whichisfoundedanddirectedbyfar-seeingandcarefulmen；while，ontheotherhand，asocietyconstitutedbymenwithouttrainedskill，dependsinagreatmeasureonfortune，andislessconstant。(28)If，inspiteofall，suchasocietylastsalongtime，itisowingtosomeotherdirectinginfluencethanitsown；ifitovercomesgreatperilsanditsaffairsprosper，itwillperforcemarvelatandadoretheguidingSpiritofGod(insofar，thatis，asGodworksthroughhiddenmeans，andnotthroughthenatureandmindofman)，foreverythinghappenstoitunexpectedlyandcontrarytoanticipation，itmayevenbesaidandthoughttobebymiracle。(29)Nations，then，aredistinguishedfromoneanotherinrespecttothesocialorganizationandthelawsunderwhichtheyliveandaregoverned；theHebrewnationwasnotchosenbyGodinrespecttoitswisdomnoritstranquillityofmind，butinrespecttoitssocialorganizationandthegoodfortunewithwhichitobtainedsupremacyandkeptitsomanyyears。(30)ThisisabundantlyclearfromScripture。EvenacursoryperusalwillshowusthattheonlyrespectsinwhichtheHebrewssurpassedothernations，areintheirsuccessfulconductofmattersrelatingtogovernment，andintheirsurmountinggreatperilssolelybyGod\'sexternalaid；inotherwaystheywereonaparwiththeirfellows，andGodwasequallygracioustoall。(31)Forinrespecttointellect(aswehaveshowninthelastchapter)theyheldveryordinaryideasaboutGodandnature，sothattheycannothavebeenGod\'schoseninthisrespect；norweretheysochoseninrespectofvirtueandthetruelife，forhereagainthey，withtheexceptionofaveryfewelect，wereonanequalitywithothernations:thereforetheirchoiceandvocationconsistedonlyinthetemporalhappinessandadvantagesofindependentrule。
(32)Infact，wedonotseethatGodpromisedanythingbeyondthistothepatriarchs[Endnote4]ortheirsuccessors；inthelawnootherrewardisofferedforobediencethanthecontinualhappinessofanindependentcommonwealthandothergoodsofthislife；while，ontheotherhand，againstcontumacyandthebreakingofthecovenantisthreatenedthedownfallofthecommonwealthandgreathardships。(33)Noristhistobewonderedat；fortheendsofeverysocialorganizationandcommonwealthare(asappearsfromwhatwehavesaid，andaswewillexplainmoreatlengthhereafter)securityandcomfort；acommonwealthcanonlyexistbythelawsbeingbindingonall。
(34)Ifallthemembersofastatewishtodisregardthelaw，bythatveryfacttheydissolvethestateanddestroythecommonwealth。(35)Thus，theonlyrewardwhichcouldbepromisedtotheHebrewsforcontinuedobediencetothelawwassecurity[Endnote5]anditsattendantadvantages，whilenosurerpunishmentcouldbethreatenedfordisobedience，thantheruinofthestateandtheevilswhichgenerallyfollowtherefrom，inadditiontosuchfurtherconsequencesasmightaccruetotheJewsinparticularfromtheruinoftheirespecialstate。(36)Butthereisnoneedheretogointothispointatmorelength。(37)IwillonlyaddthatthelawsoftheOldTestamentwererevealedandordainedtotheJewsonly，forasGodchosetheminrespecttothespecialconstitutionoftheirsocietyandgovernment，theymust，ofcourse，havehadspeciallaws。(38)WhetherGodordainedspeciallawsforothernationsalso，andrevealedHimselftotheirlawgiversprophetically，thatis，undertheattributesbywhichthelatterwereaccustomedtoimagineHim，Icannotsufficientlydetermine。(39)ItisevidentfromScriptureitselfthatothernationsacquiredsupremacyandparticularlawsbytheexternalaidofGod；witnessonlythetwofollowingpassages:
(40)InGenesisxiv:18，19，20，itisrelatedthatMelchisedekwaskingofJerusalemandpriestoftheMostHighGod，thatinexerciseofhispriestlyfunctionsheblessedAbraham，andthatAbrahamthebelovedoftheLordgavetothispriestofGodatitheofallhisspoils。(41)ThissufficientlyshowsthatbeforeHefoundedtheIsraelitishnationGodconstitutedkingsandpriestsinJerusalem，andordainedforthemritesandlaws。(42)WhetherHedidsopropheticallyis，asIhavesaid，notsufficientlyclear；butIamsureofthis，thatAbraham，whilsthesojournedinthecity，livedscrupulouslyaccordingtotheselaws，forAbrahamhadreceivednospecialritesfromGod；andyetitisstated(Gen。xxvi:5)，thatheobservedtheworship，theprecepts，thestatutes，andthelawsofGod，whichmustbeinterpretedtomeantheworship，thestatutes，theprecepts，andthelawsofkingMelchisedek。(43)MalachichidestheJewsasfollows(i:10-11。):\"Whoisthereamongyouthatwillshutthedoors?[oftheTemple]；neitherdoyekindlefireonminealtarfornought。(44)Ihavenopleasureinyou，saiththeLordofHosts。(45)Forfromtherisingofthesun，evenuntilthegoingdownofthesameMyNameshallbegreatamongtheGentiles；andineveryplaceincenseshallbeofferedinMyName，andapureoffering；forMyNameisgreatamongtheheathen，saiththeLordofHosts。\"(46)Thesewords，which，unlesswedoviolencetothem，couldonlyrefertothecurrentperiod，abundantlytestifythattheJewsofthattimewerenotmorebelovedbyGodthanothernations，thatGodthenfavouredothernationswithmoremiraclesthanHevouchsafedtotheJews，whohadthenpartlyrecoveredtheirempirewithoutmiraculousaid；and，lastly，thattheGentilespossessedritesandceremoniesacceptabletoGod。(47)ButIpassoverthesepointslightly:itisenoughformypurposetohaveshownthattheelectionoftheJewshadregardtonothingbuttemporalphysicalhappinessandfreedom，inotherwords，autonomousgovernment，andtothemannerandmeansbywhichtheyobtainedit；consequentlytothelawsinsofarastheywerenecessarytothepreservationofthatspecialgovernment；and，lastly，tothemannerinwhichtheywererevealed。Inregardtoothermatters，whereinman\'struehappinessconsists，theywereonaparwiththerestofthenations。
(48)When，therefore，itissaidinScripture(Deut。iv:7)thattheLordisnotsonightoanyothernationasHeistotheJews，referenceisonlymadetotheirgovernment，andtotheperiodwhensomanymiracleshappenedtothem，forinrespectofintellectandvirtue-thatis，inrespectofblessedness-Godwas，aswehavesaidalready，andarenowdemonstrating，equallygracioustoall。(49)Scriptureitselfbearstestimonytothisfact，forthePsalmistsays(cxlv:18)，\"TheLordisnearuntoallthemthatcalluponHim，toallthatcalluponHimintruth。\"(50)SointhesamePsalm，verse9，\"TheLordisgoodtoall，andHistendermerciesareoverallHisworks。\"InPs。xxxiii:16，itisclearlystatedthatGodhasgrantedtoallmenthesameintellect，inthesewords，Hefashioneththeirheartsalike。\"TheheartwasconsideredbytheHebrews，asIsupposeeveryoneknows，tobetheseatofthesoulandtheintellect。
(51)Lastly，fromJobxxxviii:28，itisplainthatGodhadordainedforthewholehumanracethelawtoreverenceGod，tokeepfromevildoing，ortodowell，andthatJob，althoughaGentile，wasofallmenmostacceptabletoGod，becauseheexceededallinpietyandreligion。(52)Lastly，fromJonahiv:2，itisveryevidentthat，notonlytotheJewsbuttoallmen，Godwasgracious，merciful，long-suffering，andofgreatgoodness，andrepentedHimoftheevil，forJonahsays:\"ThereforeIdeterminedtofleebeforeuntoTarshish，forIknowthatThouartagraciousGod，andmerciful，slowtoanger，andofgreatkindness，\"&c。，andthat，therefore，GodwouldpardontheNinevites。(53)Weconclude，therefore(inasmuchasGodistoallmenequallygracious，andtheHebrewswereonly，chosenbyhiminrespecttotheirsocialorganizationandgovernment)，thattheindividualJew，takenapartfromhissocialorganizationandgovernment，possessednogiftofGodaboveothermen，andthattherewasnodifferencebetweenJewandGentile。(54)AsitisafactthatGodisequallygracious，merciful，andtherest，toallmen；andasthefunctionoftheprophetwastoteachmennotsomuchthelawsoftheircountry，astruevirtue，andtoexhortthemthereto，itisnottobedoubtedthatallnationspossessedprophets，andthatthepropheticgiftwasnotpeculiartotheJews。(55)Indeed，history，bothprofaneandsacred，bearswitnesstothefact。(56)Although，fromthesacredhistoriesoftheOldTestament，itisnotevidentthattheothernationshadasmanyprophetsastheHebrews，orthatanyGentileprophetwasexpresslysentbyGodtothenations，thisdoesnotaffectthequestion，fortheHebrewswerecarefultorecordtheirownaffairs，notthoseofothernations。(57)Itsuffices，then，thatwefindintheOldTestamentGentiles，anduncircumcised，asNoah，Enoch，Abimelech，Balaam，&c。，exercisingpropheticgifts；further，thatHebrewprophetsweresentbyGod，notonlytotheirownnationbuttomanyothersalso。(58)
Ezekielprophesiedtoallthenationsthenknown；Obadiahtonone，thatweareawareof，savetheIdumeans；andJonahwaschieflytheprophettotheNinevites。(59)Isaiahbewailsandpredictsthecalamities，andhailstherestorationnotonlyoftheJewsbutalsoofothernations，forhesays(chap。xvi:9)，\"ThereforeIwillbewailJazerwithweeping；\"andinchap。
xix。heforetellsfirstthecalamitiesandthentherestorationoftheEgyptians(seeverses19，20，21，25)，sayingthatGodshallsendthemaSaviourtofreethem，thattheLordshallbeknowninEgypt，and，further，thattheEgyptiansshallworshipGodwithsacrificeandoblation；and，atlast，hecallsthatnationtheblessedEgyptianpeopleofGod；allofwhichparticularsarespeciallynoteworthy。
(60)Jeremiahiscalled，nottheprophetoftheHebrewnation，butsimplytheprophetofthenations(seeJer:i。5)。(61)Healsomournfullyforetellsthecalamitiesofthenations，andpredictstheirrestoration，forhesays(xlviii:31)oftheMoabites，\"ThereforewillIhowlforMoab，andIwillcryoutforallMoab\"(verse36)，\"andthereforemineheartshallsoundforMoablikepipes；\"intheendheprophesiestheirrestoration，asalsotherestorationoftheEgyptians，Ammonites，andElamites。(62)Whereforeitisbeyonddoubtthatothernationsalso，liketheJews，hadtheirprophets，whoprophesiedtothem。
(63)AlthoughScriptureonly，makesmentionofoneman，Balaam，towhomthefutureoftheJewsandtheothernationswasrevealed，wemustnotsupposethatBalaamprophesiedonlyonce，forfromthenarrativeitselfitisabundantlyclearthathehadlongpreviouslybeenfamousforprophesyandotherDivinegifts。(64)ForwhenBalakbadehimtocometohim，hesaid(Num。xxii:6)，\"ForIknowthathewhomthoublessestisblessed，andhewhomthoucursestiscursed。\"(65)ThusweseethathepossessedthegiftwhichGodhadbestowedonAbraham。Further，asaccustomedtoprophesy
BalaambadethemessengerswaitforhimtillthewilloftheLordwasrevealedtohim。(66)Whenheprophesied，thatis，whenheinterpretedthetruemindofGod，hewaswonttosaythisofhimself:\"Hehathsaid，whichheardthewordsofGodandknewtheknowledgeoftheMostHigh，whichsawthevisionoftheAlmightyfallingintoatrance，buthavinghiseyesopen。\"(67)Further，afterhehadblessedtheHebrewsbythecommandofGod，hebegan(aswashiscustom)toprophesytoothernations，andtopredicttheirfuture；allofwhichabundantlyshowsthathehadalwaysbeenaprophet，orhadoftenprophesied，and(aswemayalsoremarkhere)possessedthatwhichaffordedthechiefcertaintytoprophetsofthetruthoftheirprophecy，namely，amindturnedwhollytowhatisrightandgood，forhedidnotblessthosewhomhewishedtobless，norcursethosewhomhewishedtocurse，asBalaksupposed，butonlythosewhomGodwishedtobeblessedorcursed。(68)ThusheansweredBalak:\"IfBalakshouldgivemehishousefullofsilverandgold，IcannotgobeyondthecommandmentoftheLordtodoeithergoodorbadofmyownmind；butwhattheLordsaith，thatwillI
speak。\"(69)AsforGodbeingangrywithhimintheway，thesamehappenedtoMoseswhenhesetouttoEgyptbythecommandoftheLord；andastohisreceivingmoneyforprophesying，Samueldidthesame(1Sam。ix:7，8)；ifinanywayhesinned，\"thereisnotajustmanuponearththatdoethgoodandsinnethnot，\"Eccles。vii:20。(Vide2Epist。Peterii:15，16，andJude5:11。)
(70)HisspeechesmustcertainlyhavehadmuchweightwithGod，andHispowerforcursingmustassuredlyhavebeenverygreatfromthenumberoftimesthatwefindstatedinScripture，inproofofGod\'sgreatmercytotheJews，thatGodwouldnothearBalaam，andthatHechangedthecursingtoblessing(seeDeut。xxiii:6，Josh。xxiv:10，Neh。xiii:2)。(71)WhereforehewaswithoutdoubtmostacceptabletoGod，forthespeechesandcursingsofthewickedmoveGodnotatall。(72)Asthenhewasatrueprophet，andneverthelessJoshuacallshimasoothsayeroraugur，itiscertainthatthistitlehadanhonourablesignification，andthatthosewhomtheGentilescalledaugursandsoothsayersweretrueprophets，whilethosewhomScriptureoftenaccusesandcondemnswerefalsesoothsayers，whodeceivedtheGentilesasfalseprophetsdeceivedtheJews；indeed，thisismadeevidentfromotherpassagesintheBible，whenceweconcludethatthegiftofprophecywasnotpeculiartotheJews，butcommontoallnations。(73)ThePharisees，however，vehementlycontendthatthisDivinegiftwaspeculiartotheirnation，andthattheothernationsforetoldthefuture(whatwillsuperstitioninventnext?)bysomeunexplaineddiabolicalfaculty。(74)TheprincipalpassageofScripturewhichtheycite，bywayofconfirmingtheirtheorywithitsauthority，isExodusxxxiii:16，whereMosessaystoGod，\"ForwhereinshallitbeknownherethatIandThypeoplehavefoundgraceinThysight?isitnotinthatThougoestwithus?soshallwebeseparated，IandThypeople，fromallthepeoplethatareuponthefaceoftheearth。\"(75)FromthistheywouldinferthatMosesaskedofGodthatHeshouldbepresenttotheJews，andshouldrevealHimselftothemprophetically；further，thatHeshouldgrantthisfavourtonoothernation。
(76)ItissurelyabsurdthatMosesshouldhavebeenjealousofGod\'spresenceamongtheGentiles，orthatheshouldhavedaredtoaskanysuchthing。(77)Theactis，asMosesknewthatthedispositionandspiritofhisnationwasrebellious，heclearlysawthattheycouldnotcarryoutwhattheyhadbegunwithoutverygreatmiraclesandspecialexternalaidfromGod；nay，thatwithoutsuchaidtheymustnecessarilyperish:asitwasevidentthatGodwishedthemtobepreserved，heaskedforthisspecialexternalaid。(78)Thushesays(Ex。xxxiv:9)，\"IfnowIhavefoundgraceinThysight，0Lord，letmyLord，IprayThee，goamongus；foritisastiffneckedpeople。\"(79)Thereason，therefore，forhisseekingspecialexternalaidfromGodwasthestiffneckednessofthepeople，anditismadestillmoreplain，thatheaskedfornothingbeyondthisspecialexternalaidbyGod\'sanswer-forGodansweredatonce(verse10ofthesamechapter)-
\"Behold，Imakeacovenant:beforeallThypeopleIwilldomarvels，suchashavenotbeendoneinalltheearth，norinanynation。\"(80)ThereforeMoseshadinviewnothingbeyondthespecialelectionoftheJews，asIhaveexplainedit，andmadenootherrequesttoGod。(81)IconfessthatinPaul\'sEpistletotheRomans，Ifindanothertextwhichcarriesmoreweight，namely，wherePaulseemstoteachadifferentdoctrinefromthatheresetdown，forhetheresays(Rom。iii:1):\"WhatadvantagethenhaththeJew?orwhatprofitisthereofcircumcision?(82)Mucheveryway:chiefly，becausethatuntothemwerecommittedtheoraclesofGod。\"
(83)ButifwelooktothedoctrinewhichPaulespeciallydesiredtoteach，weshallfindnothingrepugnanttoourpresentcontention；onthecontrary，hisdoctrineisthesameasours，forhesays(Rom。iii:29)\"thatGodistheGodoftheJewsandoftheGentiles，and\"(ch。ii:25，26)\"But，ifthoubeabreakerofthelaw，thycircumcisionismadeuncircumcision。
(84)Thereforeiftheuncircumcisionkeeptherighteousnessofthelaw，shallnothisuncircumcisionbecountedforcircumcision?\"(85)Further，inchap。iv:verse9，hesaysthatallalike，JewandGentile，wereundersin，andthatwithoutcommandmentandlawthereisnosin。(86)Whereforeitismostevidentthattoallmenabsolutelywasrevealedthelawunderwhichalllived-namely，thelawwhichhasregardonlytotruevirtue，notthelawestablishedinrespectto，andintheformationofaparticularstateandadaptedtothedispositionofaparticularpeople。(87)Lastly，PaulconcludesthatsinceGodistheGodofallnations，thatis，isequallygracioustoall，andsinceallmenequallyliveunderthelawandundersin，soalsotoallnationsdidGodsendHisChrist，tofreeallmenequallyfromthebondageofthelaw，thattheyshouldnomoredorightbythecommandofthelaw，butbytheconstantdeterminationoftheirhearts。(88)
SothatPaulteachesexactlythesameasourselves。(89)When，therefore，hesays\"TotheJewsonlywereentrustedtheoraclesofGod，\"wemusteitherunderstandthattothemonlywerethelawsentrustedinwriting，whiletheyweregiventoothernationsmerelyinrevelationandconception，orelse(asnonebutJewswouldobjecttothedoctrinehedesiredtoadvance)thatPaulwasansweringonlyinaccordancewiththeunderstandingandcurrentideasoftheJews，forinrespecttoteachingthingswhichhehadpartlyseen，partlyheard，hewastotheGreeksaGreek，andtotheJewsaJew。
(90)ItnowonlyremainstoustoanswertheargumentsofthosewhowouldpersuadethemselvesthattheelectionoftheJewswasnottemporal，andmerelyinrespectoftheircommonwealth，buteternal；for，theysay，weseetheJewsafterthelossoftheircommonwealth，andafterbeingscatteredsomanyyearsandseparatedfromallothernations，stillsurviving，whichiswithoutparallelamongotherpeoples，andfurthertheScripturesseemtoteachthatGodhaschosenforHimselftheJewsforever，sothatthoughtheyhavelosttheircommonwealth，theystillneverthelessremainGod\'select。
(91)Thepassageswhichtheythinkteachmostclearlythiseternalelection，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。
(92)Moses(Lev。xviii:27)warnedtheIsraelitesthattheybenotpollutedwithwhoredoms，lestthelandspuethemoutasithadspuedoutthenationswhohaddwelttherebefore，andinDeut。viii:19，20，intheplainesttermsHethreatenstheirtotalruin，forHesays，\"Itestifyagainstyouthatyeshallsurelyperish。(93)AsthenationswhichtheLorddestroyethbeforeyourface，soshallyeperish。\"InlikemannermanyotherpassagesarefoundinthelawwhichexpresslyshowthatGodchosetheHebrewsneitherabsolutelynorforever。(94)If，then，theprophetsforetoldforthemanewcovenantoftheknowledgeofGod，love，andgrace，suchapromiseiseasilyprovedtobeonlymadetotheelect，forEzekielinthechapterwhichwehavejustquotedexpresslysaysthatGodwillseparatefromthemtherebelliousandtransgressors，andZephaniah(iii:12，13)，saysthat\"Godwilltakeawaytheproudfromthemidstofthem，andleavethepoor。\"(95)
