1. The calling of the Gentiles —
[It is surprising that the Jews should not have seen that the Gentiles were, in God's time, to be called into his Church. The prophecies relating to this subject were innumerable : yet not even the Apostles themselves, for several years after the day of Pentecost, were able to enter into their import, or to ac- quiesce in the purposes of the Most High. It will not be unprofitable to turn to a few passages in the Psalms, and in
the Prophets, relating to this event h We may consult
also some passages adduced by the Apostles in relation to it1
What can be more clear ? Even the text alone, if
there had been no other passage, would have been sufficient to establish this point beyond a doubt. How strange then is it, that, even to this hour, the Jews should not be able to see in us the accomplishment of their own prophecies ! But it has been well said, that prejudice has neither eyes nor ears ; nor can any evidence suffice, without the operation of divine grace, to bear down its influence. We see this in relation to the Jews and their Scriptures ; and we must not be stumbled, if we see it in Christians also, notwithstanding the superior light which they enjoy.]
2. The state of the world when that event shall
take place —
[" God's name will then be great," in every place, and in every heart. The regard paid to him will no longer be formal and fictitious : it will be spiritual and real, from the inmost soul. All his perfections will be then adored : all his dispen- sations will be received with the profound est reverence, as the counsels of unerring wisdom, and as the fruits of unchanging love. The name of Christ especially, O how precious will that be ! when all the glory of the Godhead is beheld in his face, and all the treasures of divine grace are received through him : verily, as the prophet has said, he will in that day " be exalted and extolled, and be very high." That this will be the case in the latter day, may be seen by what took place in the apostolic age. It may be farther seen in what is yet daily realized in our own hearts : and so far will it be from being diminished by the further diffusion of divine light, that in that day " the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven-fold, as the light of seven days;" and " the knowledge of the Saviour's glory will be, no less in depth than in extent, as the waters that cover the sea " ]
h Ps. xxii. 27. and lxxii. 11. In Ps. xcviii. 1 — 3, it is spoken of as if it were already accomplished. See also Isai. xi. 9. and xlix. 6, 22, 23. and Zech. viii. 20—22.
1 Acts xv. 14 — 17. Rom. xv. 9 — 12.