416 Chap.17. An Exportion upon the Book of J B. Vert, that the Jewsfiumblednot that theyfhouldfall ( but that they might rite) for fo it follows, But rather through their fallfal- vation is come to the Gentiles, for to provoke to jealoufie. The falvationofthe Gentiles bred emulation in the Jews, What ? Shall they go away with all the falvation ? Shall the Gen- tiles poffefs heaven alone , whom we thought the meaneft people upon the earth ? Come, let us altoput in at leaf for a part, and get a (hare in Cofpel/mercies and priviledges with them. Thus they were provoked to emulation, and this emu, lation was and (hall be ( through the power of God, who is wonderful in counfel, and excellent in working ) a help to faith in Chrift, and fo to their riling from their fall. And the Apoftle was fo intent upon the promoting of this defign of God, that he profeffeth, Verfe 13,14. that he magnified his Office among the Gentiles, not only to Cave them , but ( faith he) If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are myflefh, and might fave forme of them : He coped the Jews would,at laff, believ c for anger, or for very 'flame , and go to heaven ix a holy chafe. Now (I fay) as there is a provocation which heats and heightens the mind of man to an eager purfuit of the bell things ; fo there is a provocation which abates and blunts his edge , which chits and flats°his fpirits to any thing that is good, which was the ground of the Apo[les dehortation, Pros yoke notyour children, left they be difcouraged ; And as the effect of fuch provocations is to fome a difcouragement in doing their duty, fo the effeC of it in others is a thrufling them on to do that which is moil contrary, not only to their duty, but to their difpotition. Railing fpeeches, uncomely and uncivil language,have pro- voked many, both to (peak, and to do that which they never dreamt of, or which was molt remote from their Natural temper and inclination. For though fuch Diftempers lye . in the bottomof Nature, yet unlefs they had been furred and fpurred up, tholedifiempers would not have appeared and broken out. Mofes was the meekeft man upon the earth , yet when theyproyaked his Spirit, be ,fpake unadvifedly with his lip:, Palm ló6.33. There are three ill eff.Cs of Provocati- ons: Fittl, Provoking fpeeches raife up hard thoughts of the fpeaker.
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