An exposition on the fourteene first chapters of Genesis, by way of question and answere Collected out of ancient and recent writers: both briefely and subtilly propounded and expounded. By Abraham [sic] Rosse of Aberden, preacher at St. Maries neere South-Hampton, and one of his Maiesties chaplaines.

Q. How long was Abrahams seede to enioy this land?

A. For euer, that is a long time, for so

this word is often vsed in Scripture, so in this sence circumcision is called an euerlasting co∣uenant, Gen. 17. The Sabboth a signe between God and his people for euer, Exod. 31. The seruant whose eare is boared must serue his master for euer, Exod. 21. Now this cannot be vnderstood of eternity, for the Israelites are long agoe expelled from Canaan, circum∣cision, the Sabboth, and other ceremoniall lawes were abolished by the comming of Messyas, the seruant was tyed to serue his master no longer then the yeare of Iubili•…•…, then so long did they possesse this land, as they walked obediently before God, for it was giuen to them vpon condition of legall obedience, otherwise if they did not obey, the land was to spue them out, Leu. 18. 28. Abraham and his seede were to enioy this land for euer, but Abraham was to keepe Gods couenant, he and his seed after him for euer, Gen. 17. 9. If then they haue not enioy∣ed this land for euer, they must not accuse God, but themselues, who haue not kept his couenāt for euer; Gods promises do then stil include the condition of our faith and obe∣dience, as, whosoeuer beleeueth in the Sonne, shall not perish but haue euerlasting life, but he that beleeueth not, is condemned already,

Ioh. 3. And here we cannot deny but that vn∣der this earthly Canaan, promised to Abra∣hams carnall seede, is vnderstood heauenly Canaan, which belongeth to his spirituall •…•…eede: then this word (euer) is attributed to •…•…he signe which doth properly belong to the •…•…hing signified, and thus the Scripture vseth •…•…n all sacramentall speeches, to ascribe that to •…•…he type and figure, which doth onely belong to the thing signified, as the lambe is called the passeouer, the blood of goates and calues •…•…s said to hallow and purge, the bread is cal∣led Christs body, and here Canaan is promi∣sed to Abrahams seede for euer, which yet shall not continue for euer, for the world shal be destroyed, and all the works therein, then earthly Canaan was possessed of the carnall Israelites for euer, that is, a long time, but the true Israelites shall possesse the heauenly Ca∣naan for euer and euer.