on: all which are stated upon Abraham and his naturall seed by Jacob, and we find verified in them.
Touching these blessings we must observe first, that God gave more of the temporall, lesse of the spirituall to the naturall seed in the first ages: but in the latter ages more of the spirituall blessings, lesse of the temporall and outward to the Christian seed of the Gentiles.
Secondly many of Abrahams carnall seed injoyed the outward blessings, which reached not the spirituall; as infinite numbers that dwelt in the Land of Canaan, and being Iews outwardly did partake in outward priviledges belonging to the posterity of Jacob.
Thirdly, those that injoyed this outward part of Abrahams blessing and priviledges of the Covenant, cannot be called strangers altogether from the Covenant of promise: for the Apostle confesseth, Rom. 9.4.that the carnall Iew in his time, was not wholly broken off from the Covenant and the Service of God, with the promises: which may be said of carnall Christians, which live within the pale of the visible Church, with correspondency in some measure unto the ordinances, These injoying the outward blessings of Abraham, are in the eye of the Scripture reputed to be within the Covenant of grace, whereof we have an apparant proofe, Deut. 29. 10. Where all are said to enter this Covenant to the very hewer of wood and drawer of water, amongst whom was the carnall, as well as spirituall seed.
Fourthly, it is to be observed, that the possession of the Land of Canaan, as it was a part of their outward happinesse, so it was a type of the eternall rest, Heb. 4. 1. as shall be proved more at large hereafter.
It may be demanded how the Land of Canaan, which the Israelites possessed for a time, can be called an everlasting possession.
The answer is, that the word translated everlasting doth not ever signifie that which shall have no end, but an age, terme or continuance. It is spoken of the actions and vertues of God: of the time past or future. Of the time past, and so we reade of the bounds of ages, Pro. 22. 28. The paths of ages, Jer. 18. 15. The dayes of ages, Deut. 32. 7. The yeares of ages, Psal. 77. 5. The deserts of ages, Isai. 58. 12. Joshua 24. 2. I held my peace of old, Isa. 42. 14. that is, long time. Of the time to come with determination certaine or uncertaine, as untill the yeareof
