» Jer. 1. 20.
3 [-5
1217.1 god's mercy, as reserved for the jews.
of it ever failed. No, blessed Lord ; to the final accomplish- ment of thy promises we look with unutterable joy. And, when we are once arrived at that promised land, the heavenly Ca- naan, O ! what wonders of truth and faithfulness shall we have to contemplate ! We shall view the acquisition doubtless as "mercy," in the first instance; but we shall view it also as "truth:" for "thou hast sworn" to give it to thy believing people : and thou didst " confirm thy promise with an oath, on purpose that by two immutable things, in which it was im- possible for thee to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to the hope that is set before us0." Lord, keep us unto that day ; and " fulfil unto every one of us that word wherein thou hast caused us to put our trust!"]
A reflection or two shall close our subject —
1. If such be the prospects of the Jew, in what a noble work are they engaged who are helping forward the attainment of them !
[God sent a Moses and an Aaron to bring his people out of Egypt. And shall he use no means to gather them from their present dispersion, and to restore them to the enjoyment of his favour? The whole Scriptures attest the contrary: and assuredly, when the time draws near, he will find persons to send to them, and will bless to the intended end their benevo- lent endeavours. What then should be our state in reference to them? Should we not say with the Prophet Isaiah, " Here am I : send me ?" It is much to be lamented, that the Chris- tian world feel a backwardness to this work, far beyond any which they feel in reference to the Gentiles. But wherefore is this? Has not God engaged to bring them to himself? And is he not as able to effect their salvation, as the salvation of the Gentile world ? The truth is, that this backwardness is a remnant of that hatred and contempt which have subsisted against the Jews these eighteen hundred years, and have not even yet been dispelled by the kindlier offices of love. It is a scandal, however, to the Christian world, that this neglect of them should continue, in the midst of all the light which we now enjoy. It is a shame to ministers that they do not more unfold to their people the purposes of God respecting them ; and to private Christians, that they never study the Prophe- cies relating to them. But I appeal to all of you : Is it not desirable that the glorious prospects of the Jews should be realized, and that Almighty God should receive the glory due unto his name ? If, when Israel was saved from Egypt, they
0 Heb. vi. 18.