_Thirdly_, because Gods covenant with the _Jewes_ is not nulled, or broken, but only suspended. It is with them as it was with _Nebuchadnezzars_ tree, the leaves, fruit, and boughes were all scattered and broken, yet there was a chaine of brasse upon the root, to reserve that for future hopes; so though all true fruitfulnesse, beauty, and symptoms of life are long since gone, yet there is a root, a seed, which shall bring forth in Gods time; and this seemes a maine scope of _Paul_ in _Rom._ 11. To this purpose may that be alledged of _Mat._ 24.22. _Except those dayes should be shortned, no flesh should be saved, but for the Elects sake those dayes shall be shortned_; that is, so great shall the slaughter of the _Jewes_ be, at the destruction of _Jerusalem_, that if those destroying dayes should last a little longer, their whole Nation would faile, and be cut off; which shall not be, because God hath elect ones to be borne of that People in future times. Hence you see, that in their lowest ebbe, that is, in the midst of their greatest guilt, and sorest punishments, God hath still an eye upon a number of elect ones of that Nation; and Gods Covenant was never so with them, or with any People, as to take the whole of them for his inheritance. In _Jer._ 31.36, 37. Gods Covenant with _Israel_ is surer than the Lawes of Nature (which we know, remaine unviolable to the Worlds end) and he saith, that must come to passe, before he will cast off the Seed of _Israel_, for all that they have done; yea in _Isa._ 54.9, 10. God confirmes it to _Israel_, not only by the firmenesse of the Lawes of Nature, but also by an Oath; now what God ratifies with an Oath, is his absolute and positive Wil, that which makes the conclusion immutable; as in _Heb._ 6.18. And in this case God is ever too strong for all hardnesse of heart, disobedience, unbeleefe, and any impediments that can be. See also that full place of _Levit._ 26.42. 44. and _ver._ 45. for I beleeve that place Propheticall, of times, and things not yet fulfilled.