Ch 3 8. of the iffite of Beleevers. a but hit exemplary Faith,ás 'gather from the words of tte Apostle, Ro. 4..16,1 7,18,19,21.Did none but Abraham give =example unto o- thers of beleeving ? The Apofile to the HebreWs Pets him out, Chap. rt. as one example among many, to finde many that went before him,Abel,Enoch,Noah, and more that followed after him. And I should rather think that the Text by him produced, proves without any contradiction, that the Covenant made 4brabam the Father of Beleever he is there called the Father of -4'4 all;and a Text quoted for it, which is, Gea. t7, S, íI Father ofmany Na- tions 1 have made thee; and whether that be not by vertue of Covenant let the context be confulted, together with the Apostles' words, Rom. 4. t 1. And he received the fgne of Circumcifon a Seale of the righteoufne f)"e of the Faith, which he had yet being uncir- cumcifed, that he might be the father of all them that beleeve, though they be not circumcijed ; that righteoufne f f e might be imputed unto them alfo. He closed with God in Covenant , and accepted the Seale of the Covenant, that according to Covenant he might be the Father of all them that beleeve. We have feen what Mailer Tombe, his confideration ofthe root hath proved , and now we muffee what his confideration of the fatneffe of the Olive-tree will prove. Asfor the fatne f f e of the Olive -tree (faith he a P g.73.) .f iodate faith, truly, it is the blefng and promise made to Abraham, and to hisfeed, and fo the Apofile expreffeth, Gal. 3.14. This we grant, and priviledge of Ordinances contained this bleffing and this promise we know the Gofpe! to be the power of God to falvation. Audit would be too frigide and waJhy an Exposition (faith Mailer Tombes) to expound it of outwardpriviledges and ordinances; Such that would wafh away all the duff that Mailer Tombes would caftupon it. That wherein the Jewes exceeded the Gen- tiles, is the fatnell'e whereof the Gentiles partake, when they are ingraffed inflead of the Jewes,this none can deny for this makes them their equals and co- partners : But it is priviledges of Ordinances, (how frigide and wafhy things foever Mr. Tombe,, little better then profainely makes it) is the priviledge wherein Jewes exceeded Gentiles, Rom.3. r. Deut,4,7,8. P fah 147.19,20. Therefore this is the fatneffe of the Olive. Mailer Tombes yet faith ; Tea it were falfe, for the gentiles were not pad takers of the outward priviledges and ordinances ofAbraham and the ?ewes, they being taken algal. Now thefe things being put, it muff needs be that Ppa thù
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