1. To enlarge our philanthrop)^ —
[We are, for the most part, very narrow and contracted in our regards for our fellow men. Rarely do we feel much for any, except our own niimediate neighbours, or those in whose welfare we have some personal interest. And even then, it is for their temporal, rather than their spiritual welfare that we are chiefly concerned. But we ought to extend our regards to the whole family of man dispersed throughout the earth ; and, above all, to feel for their eternal interests. Be- hold how Jehovah expresses himself in our text. One would have thought that the great oppressors of his people, Egypt and Assyria, might have been excepted from his benevolent regards ; but we find he contemplates their return to him with the utmost complacency and delight. Thus, then, should it be with you. You should be like-minded vnth God in this holy feeling. The whole world, whether Jews or Gentiles, should be objects of your deepest solicitude. To see them ignorant of God and his Christ, should fill you with pain : and to have a prospect of their conversion, should excite in you the liveliest joy. Let me not be mistaken : I would not have your neigh- bours overlooked, either in relation to their temporal or their eternal interests : but I would have your hearts expanded, even as God's is, to embrace the whole family of man : and, as the conversion of their souls to God is, beyond all comparison, the most important object, I would have that to occupy the chief place in your minds.]
2. To raise our expectations —
[We think it almost impossible to enlighten the minds of the idolatrous Gentiles ; and we quite ridicule the idea of con- verting the bigoted and superstitious Jews. But the work shall be done : for the prophet says, " If this be marvellous in your eyes, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes ? saith the Lord of Hosts ^." Beloved Brethren, not only is this event certain, but it is also near. Between two and three thousand years ago, the Prophet Isaiah had such clear views of it, that he saw it through this long vista, exhibited as it were before his eyes : " Lift up thine eyes round abovit, and behold : all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt svu'ely clothe thee with them all as with an ornament, and bind them on thee as a bride doth .... Thou shalt say in thine heart. Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro ? and who hath brought up these ? Behold, I was left alone: these, where had they been'?" " Who are these that fly as doves to their windows™?" Now,
^ Zech. viii. 6. i Isai. xlix, 18, 21. ^ Isai. Ix. 8.