Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 11:16

16. For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy : and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Here is another Argument to prove the Iewes are not finally Rejected, because of the Covenant made with their Fathers.

Some make a difference between the the first-Fruit, and the Root, in the latter part of the verse. By the first-Fruit, they understand the Apostles, and other godly Iewes, that were at first Converted to the Christian Faith; and by the Root, they understand Abraham and the Patriarchs. Others take them for the same, and understand Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, with the rest of the Patriarches, to be both the first-Fruit, and the Root.

By Lump and Branches, he meanes, the people of the Iewes that descended of these holy Patriarkes, and sprung from them, as branches from a Root. The great Question is▪ In what sence they are said to be Holy? Or of what holiness doth he speak? It is not meant of inherent, but of federal, or Covenant Holiness; all in an outward and visible Covenant with God, were called Holy. vid. Exod. 19.6. Dan. 8.24. many common things are called Holy in Scrip[illegible: 1 letter]ure, because Dedicated to God, and to his Service; yea, Ierusalem, though a place of great wickedness, is called a Holy City, Mat. 27.53. In such a sence as this, the Iewes are still a holy People; They have an Hereditary kind of Dedication to God; they have a federal Holiness, and relation to God, as being for ever Separated to him, in the Loynes of their [illegible: 1 word] genitors; this can never be wholly forfeited, as be[illegible: 2 letters]g Granted to all the Posterity of the Holy Patriarkes: Therefore they are called The children of the covenant, which God made with their Fathers, Act. 2.39. vid. Act. 3.25. So then God will remember in his own Time, His Covenant with the Iews, the Posterity of Abraham, &c. who are Beloved for their Fathers sake, ver. 28. Therefore, in the mean time, they should not look on themselves with Desperation; nor should the Gentiles look on them with Disdain; as it follows in the next words.

Marginal references: Or, and if.