Christ, and in the midst of Scythia some have liv'd happily, even more happily then many have done in Judea. The promises then are not tied to Judea but belong unto all them who are mentioned Joh. 11.51. he prophecied, that Jesus should die for that Nation, and not for that Nation onely, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad, that is, through the world, as the same Apostle expones himselfe, 1 Joh. 2.2. But it may be, that this exclamation was made against the conjecture of Cornelius a Lapide; then he should distinguish the persons.
Reply.
Having spent your store and your stomack so vainly, that any one may perceive your wilfull mistake, you are forc't in the close, to shift it off with this pitifull excuse: [but it may be that this ex∣clamation was mape against the conjecture of Cornelius à Lapide; then he should distinguish the persons.] How? it may be? and he should distinguish the persons? Surely there is no other Commentatour spoken of; and almost a whole page is spent to shew, that he is out in his exposition of the Prophecies of Zech. which I have re∣hearst, and so contrary to the true meaning of the Prophecie, which I have alledg'd out of Zeph. that he interprets, the pou∣ring out of Gods fierce anger on the Nations: of his great mercy in sending the Gospel to be preach't unto them: upon which ground∣lesse exposition, I have inferr'd the words you are so much offen∣ded with. And it may be you had more reason to be so, then you will be knowne of, however (in stead of confirming that ex∣position, which perhaps you may too much favour) you take oc∣casion to tell us how conscionably you dispence the word of God. And may we believe you? what made you then so scornfully to call that remnant of the Jewes, whose temporall prosperity the Prophets have so frequently foretold, [a carnall people?] when as God himselfe saith of them: I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and I will reveale unto them abundance of peace and truth: and againe, I will put my feare into their hearts, that they shall not depart from me: and the remnant of Israel shall not doe iniquity, nor speake lies, &c. Yea, the regeneration of their persons, is almost as often foretold, as the restauration of their Land, their deliverance from captivity, or their Lord-ship over other Nations. And when you call them [carnall] whom