i Rom. xi. 15. r Lev. ii. 1 — 6. s Rom. xv. 16.
1 Isai. lx. 8. u Ps. lxxii. 16. x Isai. ii. 2.
See then,
1. Of what importance the conversion of the Jews is to the whole world !
[Many individuals may be, and are, converted from among the Gentiles by the labours of Gentile teachers; and we do well to exert ourselves in every possible way for the diffusion of Christian knowledge amongst them. But though we may reap the first-fruits, the gathering in of the harvest is reserved for labourers of the Jewish community. There is a passage which is supposed to establish a directly opposite opinion : but the passage itself is quite misunderstood. It is said, that " blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come iny:" and from thence it is supposed, that the whole of the Gentiles must be converted, before that blindness is removed from the Jewish people. But in another part of the same chapter it is said, that, as the diminishing of the Jews was the means of enriching the Gen- tile world, much more shall their fulness be so ; the receiving of the Jews into the Church being the signal for, and the means of, a spiritual resurrection to the whole Gentile world7-. The " fulness" in both places imports, not the complete in- gathering of all, but the commencement of that mighty work. It will begin among the Gentiles (as it has indeed already be- gun) ; and then it will proceed among the Jews, who shall carry it on, and perfect it, among the Gentiles. As soon astheJeivs determinately rejected the Gospel, it was preached unto the Gentiles3 : and as soon as the Gentiles begin in any consider- able numbers to embrace the faith of Christ, we hope and believe, that God will make known himself unto the Jews, and make them the instruments of converting the whole world. If then we have any concern for the Gentile world, we should labour with all our might (in prayer, and in the use of all suit- able means) to impart the Gospel to the Jews ; that so they may be ready to execute the work to which they are ordained, and for which they are fitted beyond any other people upon the face of the earth. As having their own Scriptures (upon which ours are founded) with them, and as understanding the lan- guages of the different countries wherein they dwell, they are ready at any moment to preach the Gospel to those around them, as soon as ever " the veil shall be taken from their own hearts." Being acquainted with their own Scriptures, they will unlock the mysteries contained in ours, the very instant that " the key of knowledge" is put into their hands. And their conversion will itself be such a confirmation of prophecy, that all will be ready to receive their word, and to obey the
y Rom. xi. 25. z Rom. xi. 12, 15. a Acts xiii. 45 — 47.