been persuaded, that
the destruction of Jerusalem should have been the means whereby the nation
of the Jews should have been increased? seeing that much rather it
appeared, that the overthrow of Jerusalem should have been the very
abolishing of the seed of Abraham: but we must consider, to what end it
was that God revealed himself to Abraham, and what is contained in the
promise of the multiplication of his seed, and the benediction promised
thereto.

First, God revealed himself to Abraham, to let all flesh understand, by
the means of his word, that God first called man, and revealed himself
unto him; that flesh can do nothing but rebel against God; for Abraham, no
doubt, was an idolater, before God called him from Ur of the Chaldees. The
promise was made, that the seed of Abraham should be multiplied as the
stars of heaven, and as the sand of the sea; which is not simply to be
understood of his natural seed, although it was sometimes greatly
increased; but rather of such as should become the spiritual seed of
Abraham, as the apostle speaks. Now, if we be able to prove, that the
right knowledge of God, his wisdom, justice, mercy, and power, were more
amply declared in their captivity, than at any time before, then we cannot
deny, but that God, even when to man's judgment he had utterly rased them
from the face of the earth, did increase the nation of the Jews, so that
he was glorified in them, and extended the coasts of the earth for their
habitation. And, for the better understanding hereof, let us shortly try
the histories from their captivity to their deliverance; and after the
same, to the coming of the Messiah.

No doubt satan intended, by the dispersion of the Jews, so to have
profaned the whole seed of Abraham, that among them neither should have
remained the true knowledge of God, nor yet the spirit of sanctification,
but that all should have come to a like contempt of God. For, I pray you,
for what purpose was it, that Daniel and his fellows were taken into the
king's court, were commanded to be fed at the king's table, and were put
to the schools of their diviners, soothsayers, and astrologers? It may be
thought that it proceeded of the king's humanity, and of a zeal which he
had, that they should be brought up in virtue and good learning; and I
doubt not but it was so understood by a great number of the Jews. But the
secret practice of the devil was understood by Daniel, when he refused to
defile himself wi