Hugo Grotius · 90 of 132

SECT. XV. (With an answer to what is alleged, that his coming was deferred upon the account of the sins of the people.)

THE Jews see themselves put to difficulties by these arguments: that they may elude the force of them, therefore, some say, that their sins were the cause why he did not come at the promised time. Now, not to mention, that, in the fore-cited prophecies, what is determined by them, has no signs of being suspended upon any conditions; how could his coming be deferred on the account of their sins, when this also was foretold, that for the many and great sins of the people, the city should be destroyed, a little after the time of the Messiah? Further, the Messiah was to come for this very reason, that be might bring a remedy for the most corrupt age; and, together with the rules of reforming their lives, assure them of pardon of their sins. Whence it is said in Zechariah, chap. xiii. concerning his time, that a fountain should then be opened to the house of David and to all in Jerusalem, to wash away their sins; and it is a common thing among the Jews, to call the Messiah, ISCH COPHER, that is, the Appeaser. It is therefore very repugnant to reason to say, that that was deferred upon the account of the disease, which was directly appointed for that disease.