with the most important and desirable results for the rest of the world, vs. 12, 15. 3. That it is to take place after the fulness of the Gentiles is brought in ; that is, after the conversion of multitudes of the Gentiles, (how many, who can tell 1) v. 25. Nothing is said of this restoration being sudden, or effected by miracle, or consequent on the second advent, or as attended by a restoration of the Jews to their ow^n land . These particulars have all been added by some commentators, either from their own imagination, or from their views of other portions of the Scriptures. On the contrary, it is through the mercy shown to the Gentiles, accord- ing to Paul, that the Jews are to be brought in, which clearly implies that the former are to be instrumental in the restoration of the latter. And he everywhere teaches that, after their restoration to the church, the distinction between Jew and Gentile ceases. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. Col. 3: 11 ; all classes are merged in one, as was the case under the direction of the apostles in the first ages of the church.
2. The church of God is the same in all ages, and under all dispensa- tions. It is the society of the true people of God, together with their children. To this society the ancient patriarchs and their posterity be- longed ; into this society, at the time of Christ, other nations were admitted, and the great body of the Jews were cast out, and into this same community the ancient people of God are to be again received. In every stage of its progress the church is the same. The olive tree is one, though the branches are numerous, and sometimes changed, vs. 17—24.
3. The web of Providence is wonderfully woven. Good and evil are made with equal certainty, under the government of infinite wisdom and benevolence, to result in the promotion of God's gracious and glorious designs. The wicked unbelief and consequent rejection of the Jews are made the means of facilitating the conversion of the Gentiles ; the holy faith and obedience of the Gentiles are to be the means of the restoration of the Jews, vs. 11, 31.
4. All organized communities, civil and ecclesiastical, have a common responsibility, a moral personality, in the sight of God, and are dealt with accordingly, rewarded or punished according to their conduct, as sach. As their organized existence is confined to this world, so must the retributive dispensations of God respecting them be. Witness the rejec- tion, dispersion, and sufferings of the Jews, as a national punishment for their national rejection of the Messiah. "Witness the state of all the eastern churches broken off from the olive tree for the unbelief of former generations. Their fathers sinned, and their children's children, to the third and fourth generation, suffer the penalty, as they share in the guilt, vs. 1 1—24.
5. The security of every individual Christian is suspended on his con- tinuing in faith and holy obedience ; which is indeed rendered certain by the purpose and promise of God. In like manner the security of every