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DIAL. XIIII.
Verse 17. And though some of the branches be broken off, and thou being a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Oliue tree was grafted in for them, and made partaker of the roote and fatnesse of the Oliue tree; boast not thy selfe &c.
HOw doth the Apostle Paul proceede?
He bringeth forth a third argument to de∣hort the beleeuing Gentile from despising and repro∣ching the reiected and vnbeleeuing Iewe. Hee had first saide that their casting off was to the great commodity of the Gentiles, namely the vocation of them to God by the Gospell. Secondly, he gaue hope to the Iew of their repairing, because they were an holy people, and sepa∣rated from all other Nations, by the promises and coue∣nant of life which was giuen them. Now thirdly herea∣soneth from the condition of the Gentiles, both that which is past (they were a wilde Oliue,) and that which is present, (they were grafted into the true Oliue,) wher∣vpon dependeth a double grace; one, that the Gentiles are made partakers of the roote of the Oliue: and second∣ly, that they doe inioy the fatnesse that commeth of the roote, that is, they haue communion with Christ, the Church and the Gospell. The summe of the argument is thus much: Yee Gentiles beeing once like a wilde Oliue, are now planted into the true Oliue; therefore doe not proudly boast your selues with the reproch of the Iewes. This argument is wholly contained in the texte, and hath two parts both expressed. One is the antecedent part in verse 17. The other is the consequent, in verse 18. which is enforced by a new reasō drawne from that which is ab∣surd or vnhonest, because we Gentiles bare not the Iewes, but their roote doth beare and sustaine vs; now it were an vnthankeful and vnhonest part to disdaine that which doth support vs.
But how is this Scripture knit and coupled to the former?
By a prolepsis or preoccupation, thus: The Gentiles