We cannot but observe the solemnity with which the Apostle's affirmations are introduced. But there was occasion for it, because the things which he as- serted appeared altogether incredible. He asserted,
1. That the Gospel salvation was sent to the Gen- tiles—
[Of this the Jews had no conception. Being habituated to consider themselves as exclusively the Lord's people, and to regard the Gentiles as dogs, they could not even listen to the idea that the wall of partition should ever be broken down, and the Gentiles be incorporated with the Church of Godb. And the Apostles themselves were exceeding slow to admit the thought, notwithstanding they had been commanded to "go into all the world, and to preach the Gospel to every creature." Even six years after our Lord's ascension, Peter himself could not be prevailed upon to go and instruct a heathen family, without repeated visions to convince him that it was agreeable to the mind of God : and, when he had done it, he was called to an account for it by the whole college of Apostles, who were pacified only by the relation which he gave of the different visions, and the testimony which God himself bore to his conduct by pouring out upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost. When convinced by his arguments, they exclaimed with surprise, " Then hath God unto the Gentiles also granted repentance unto lifec." But the Apostle here declares that God had sent salvation to the Gentiles, and that it should be sent to them throughout all the world. To this he adds,]
2. That they would hear it —
[The Jews, notwithstanding they had enjoyed the ministry of Christ, and beheld his miracles, and had his resurrection so abundantly attested ; notwithstanding an appeal also was con- stantly made to their own inspired writings, and the accom- plishment of acknowledged prophecies was pointed out to them, — notwithstanding every advantage, I say, they would not believe. The probability therefore was, that, if they, with all their means of information, rejected the Gospel, much more would the heathen reject it. But God foresaw that they would receive it, or rather, fore-ordained that they should. Accord- ingly, we find that millions in every quarter of the globe have been made obedient to the faith ; and we are assured that all " the fulness of the Gentiles shall in due time come ind"
b Acts xxii. 21, 22. c Acts xi. 18.
d The prophet Ezekiel, in a vision of a river proceeding from the sanctuary, and becoming gradually so deep that it could not be forded,