2. As instruments in his hands to dispense his blessings to the world —
[The dew that floats in the air, and the clouds that are carried over the surface of the globe, are unconscious of the end for which they are sent ; but they perform the most in- valuable offices for the sons of men. In like manner the Jews are scattered through the world, unconscious of any particular good which they are destined to perform : but God designs to use them as his instruments, and by them to communicate the blessings of salvation to the whole world. This is plainly intimated in our text, and expressly declared by the Prophet Isaiah ; " They shall declare my glory among the Gentiles, and shall bring them for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations2." Then shall be fulfilled, in its utmost extent, that prophecy of Zechariah, " It shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the Heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel, so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing3." For this office they are fitted, having their own Scriptures in their hands, and understanding the language of the different countries where they sojourn : so that nothing is wanting but to have the veil removed from their hearts, and they are ready at this moment, each in his place, to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. And with what energy will they proclaim the Gospel, the very first moment that their eyes are opened ! How deeply will they themselves be affected ; and how much therefore will they affect others ! How will they, when they " look on Him whom they have pierced, mourn, and be in bitterness, even as one that is in bitterness for his first-bornb!" And how ardently will they love, when they see how much has been forgiven themc! How will they emulate the example of their fathers, the Apo- stles, in their zeal to spread the knowledge of their Messiah ! and, when they hear that their brethren in every country under heaven are engaged in the same blessed work, how will they vie with each other in their endeavours to serve the Lord! With what effect too will they deliver their message ! They are known every where to be the bitterest enemies to Christi- anity. They will not therefore be regarded, (as Christian preachers would be,) as a people endeavouring to propagate their own religion, but as people renouncing their own religion from conviction, and calling upon all other people to follow their example. This will create an interest which no other people could hope to excite : and the simultaneous efforts of their brethren in every quarter of the globe, accompanied as they will be by the operations of the Holy Spirit on the hearts
z Isai. lxvi. 19, 20. a Zech. viii. 13.
b Zech. xii. 10. c Luke vii: 47.