the 30. ver. what shall we say then? that the Gentiles who followed not after righteousnesse have attained to righteousnesse, but Israel who followed after the Law of righteousnesse hath not attained. There it is manifest, that he speaks of the Gentiles attaining to righteousnesse, and of Israel not attaining it: and neverthelesse the opposition is not sim∣ply of the two people, but of their seeking righteousnesse two contrary wayes, to wit, by Faith, and by workes of the Law. And now ye see it sufficiently declar'd, that these Prophecies doe not belong unto the Jewes or Israelites onely.
Reply.
The copulative knitteth the testimonies, and shewes that the te∣stimonies of Hosea must be understood of the Israelites, as well as the testimonies of Isaiah; and if these are not properly to be un∣derstood, why saith the Apostle, Isaiah also cryeth concerning Israel, and not rather concerning the Gentiles, or the Nations? And this is fully cleared by the 30. and 31. verses, where the Gentiles and Israel are plainly oppos'd; and that that passage is inferr'd upon the former Prophecies of Hosea and Isaiah, these words in the 30. verse immediately following them, What shall we say then? doe clearely shew, and therefore those Prophecies must needs be un∣derstood of the Jewes onely. And if this be not enough, consider also what the Apostle saith in the 3. and 4. verses of the same chap∣ter, I could wish saith he, that myselfe were accursed from Christ for my Brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites; where as he shewes his great heavinesse for them, because they were cast off; so in the following dispute about the freenesse of Gods ele∣ction, he alledgeth those Scriptures which doe foreshew their passing by, and receiving againe; and therefore if we know who those Israelites are, that are St. Paul's brethren according to the flesh, we need not doubt what Israelites Hosea and Isaiah speake of.