SECTION III. 295 his sons, and committed it to their care, to be conveyed to his posterity. Note, I shall call this the patriarchal religion to dis- tinguish itfrom the Abrahaipic, theJewish and Christian. VII. Since the days of Noah, there has been no new or further revelation of the mercy of God, and the duty of men made universally to all mankind. The revelation of further duties, which was made to Abra- ham, belonged only to his posterity, and did not oblige the rest of the nations to circumcision, &c. The further requirements of various duties and ceremonies, that were given to the Israelites byMoses, obliged only that one nation to the observance of them. Though it must be acknowledged, the other nations, who had any communication with the family of Abraham, and the nation of the Jews, had rich advantages for the knowledge, preserva- tion, and practice of the religionof Noah, by their communica- tion with the posterity of Abraham and Israel. The gospel of Christ, indeed, which was revealed near seventeen hundred years ago, requires the faith andobedience of all, to whom it is made known with clear evidence, whetherJews or gentiles ; but I question whether it has been yet thus published to more than one half of mankind. So that this truth still abides firm, that the religion of Noah was the last revelation made tò the whole world. VIII. From these considerations, it will follow, that who- soever among men, between the days of Adam and Noah, be- lieved and practised the religion ofAdam, if they had no further revelation given them, were accepted of God : And whosoever between the days of Noah and this day, have practised the reli- gion of Noah, if they have had no further revelation brought to them, have a plain and evident interest in the favour of God, and the blessings of salvation, according to the promises made to Adam and Noah, and the religionwhich was severally prescribed to them. Now here come in the hopes of grace and salvation for. Job andhis four friends in Arabia, for . Melchisedec in the land of Canaan, for Jethro a priest or prince in Midian, for Corne- lius a Roman Soldier inCesarea, and perhaps for several persons ofother nations whohave been accepted of God, though they were not of the seed of Abraham, of the nation of Israel, nor ever heard of the gospel of Christ : The religion prescribed to bah as the second father of all mankind, is certainly sufficient for their pardon, and acceptance with God, supposing it to be the only religion which was ever prescribed to them. Here I ask leave to tarry a little, and answer two or three objections, before I proceed to the ninth proposition. Objection I. Does not St. Peter tell the elders ofIsrael when he had preached Christ to them ; Acts iv. 12. That there is not salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heave,'
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