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Now we are come to the Prophecies that decide the difference, for the very ground of the controversie is; Whether the Jewes and Gentiles are already joyn'd into one Church; which you affirme, and we denie, and yet both agree that these Prophecies doe fore∣shew their uniting. And what then doe they say of it? certainly
they say not, that the Jewes and Gentiles were united into one Church, whilist the Church was amongst the Jewes onely, and some Gentiles were cal'd into it; as it was before Christs com∣ming: neither doe they say, that they are united into one Church, whilst the Church is to be amongst the Gentiles onely, and some Jewes cal'dinto it: as it hath been since Christs comming: but this they say, that at their uniting, the whole Nation of the Jewes, and all Nations of the Gentiles that are left shall worship God after the same manner at Ierusalem. This they shew of them∣selves, and compa••'d with the Prophecies which concerne our Sa∣viours reigne on earth they infallibly declare too, that at their uniting, all Nations in the world shall make but one Church and Kingdome under the government of our Lord Jesus Christ: which is enough to shew, that in the ensuing discourse you doe but vain∣ly kick against the pricks, and manifest an obstinate apostasie from the truth. But left the unlearned Reader should mistake mole∣hils for mountaines, and shadowes for substances, wee must pro∣ceed to examine your Answers. And first you tell us [It is now ma∣nifest, that these forenamed Prophecies are not of the earthly prosperity of the Jewes onely.] What? is it manifest that these forenamed Pro∣phecies speake not onely of the prosperity of the Jewes, because the prosperitie of those dayes belongs not to the Jewes onely? be∣cause I say, these Prophecies here doe shew that the Gentiles shall be partakers with them in the peace, piety, and plentie of that time? who sees not this non sequitur, the independencie of this in∣ference? These last Prophecies shew, that the prosperous estate of the Gentiles shall be dependent on their voluntary submission to, and union with the Jewes; therefore those forenamed Prophecies touching the Jewes returne unto, and prosperitie in their owne Land, are not of the prosperitie of the Jewes onely: such bald untruths and sophisticall Arguments doe stop many a breach in this worke of yours; and help very much to gaine the simple, and to hold up the confidence of the prejudicate Christian. You goe on, and say [we know certainly that the Gentiles are partakers with the Jewes.] Partakers? of what? of the happinesse which the accom∣plishment of the Prophecies here alledg'd, was to bring forth un∣to them? You must first prove, that these Prophecies are fulfill'd, before you can affirme, that they are partakers of the contempo∣rating
happinesse reveal'd in them, and unlesse you meane that they are partakers with them of the happinesse foreshewed in these Pro∣phecies, you doe but equivocate, in saying, [that the Gentiles are partakers with the Jewes.] And yet you conclude, [so that the proofe of this point is needlesse, and neverthelesse he filleth up some pages with Prophecies to this purpose.] Doubtlesse this is spoken of purpose to baffle the Reader from a serious consideration of the union which these Prophecies speake of, which is so obvious, that every ordi∣nary apprehension may of it selfe perceive, that it is not yet accom∣plished; and this you knew very well, and therefore have not so much as quoted the Chapters, or bookes where these Prophecies are reveal'd. Was not this after all your braving, to plead guilty? For if this point was needlesse, you might so much the rather have afforded the Reader a sight of, or at least a direction unto the Pro∣phecies so needlessely alledged, seeing you could not have wisht for a greater advantage against me. But when you passe over the for∣mer Prophecies untoucht, and keep these wholly out of sight, who will not conclude from hence, that you could not possibly dis∣prove the proper and historicall accomplishment of them? and consequently, that the time of their accomplishment, is not yet come?