452 Ezekiel, Xxxvii. 1—6. [1120.

till their final dispersion by the Romans. It really appears incredible, that, with the Holy Scriptures in their hands, and with the life and miracles of our blessed Lord exhibited before their eyes, they could evince such malignant dispositions towards him, and with such deliberate cruelty imbrue their hands in his blood. Yet such is their state at this hour, that I can have no doubt but that they would reject him again with all the same virulence as before, if he were again to descend from heaven, and to place himself within the reach of their power. His meek and holy conduct would not be sufficient to disarm their malice ; nor could all his benevolent miracles conciliate their regard : they would still, as before, cry, " Away with him ! crucify him ! crucify him ! " The same veil is upon their hearts at this day as there was then : and, as far as they can, they actually repeat all the ini- quities of their fathers, sanctioning and approving all which they did towards him, and in their hearts transacting it afresh. Such being almost universally the predominant features of their minds, we must acknowledge, that their restoration to life is as im- probable as any event that can be contemplated. But whilst I say this, let it not be thought that I mean to cast any uncharitable reflections upon them, or needlessly to asperse their character : for I well know that by nature they are no worse than others. They labour under peculiar disadvantages. From their earliest infancy they are filled with preju- dice against the religion of Jesus : they hear him designated by the most opprobrious titles ; and are taught to regard him as a vile impostor. This con- stitutes the chief difference between them, and mul- titudes who bear the Christian name : ungodly Christians are as averse to real piety as they ; but having been taught to reverence the name of Christ, they can hear of it without disgust ; whilst the Jews, who have been educated in the most envenomed hatred of it, spurn at it with indignation and abhor- rence; and consequently, are proportionably hardened against all his overtures of love and mercy.