Now, as I speak chiefly to those who believe the scriptures, the method I propose is this, first, To observe what account is given therein of the _Jews_, the ancient church of God, inasmuch as _all these things were written for our instruction_, who say, we are _now_ the visible church of the God of _Israel_. Secondly, To appeal to all who profess to be members thereof, to every one who is called a Christian, how far, in each instance, the parallel holds? And how much _we_ are better than _they_? 3. First, I am to observe what account the scriptures give of the _Jews_, the ancient church of God. I mean, with regard to their moral character; their tempers and outward behaviour. No sooner were they brought out of _Egypt_, than we find them _murmuring against_ God, (Exodus xiv. 12.) Again, when he had just brought them through the _Red Sea with a mighty hand and stretched out arm_, (chapter xv. 24.) And yet again, quickly after, in the wilderness of _Zin, your murmurings_ (saith _Moses_) _are not against us, but against the_ Lord. (chapter xvi. 8.) Nay, even while he was _giving them bread from heaven_, they were still _murmuring and tempting_ God, (chapter xviii. 2, 3.) and their amazing language at that season was, _Is the_ Lord _among us or not_? (chapter xvii. 4.) The same spirit they shewed, during the whole forty years, that he _bore their manners in the wilderness_: a solemn testimony whereof, _Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel_, when God was about to take him away from their head; _They have corrupted themselves_ (saith he) _their spot was not of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation. The_ Lord _led Jacob about; he instructed him; he kept him as the apple of his eye_, (Deuteronomy xxxii. 5, 10.) _He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields: then he forsook_ God _which made him, and lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation_, (chapter v. 11, 13, 15.) In like manner God complains long after this, _Hear O heavens, and give ear, O earth! I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers, children that are corrupters, have forsaken the_ Lord, _they have provoked the Holy One of Israel_, (Isaiah i. 2, 3, 4.) _Can a maid forget her ornaments, and a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number_, (Jeremiah ii. 32.)