rejected, blasphemed, and opposed it with all their might : but when they themselves shall be converted by it, they will embrace it most cordially, they will cry mightily to God for the success of it, and they will labour to the uttermost to diffuse the know- ledge of it throughout the world. If then their rejection of it was so productive of benefit to the Gentile world, how much more shall their acceptance of it be ! if their blasphemies against it, how much more their prayers for its diffusion ! if their most envenomed opposition to it, how much more their zealous co- operation in extending the knowledge of it ! We have seen the former ; and we may with certainty infer the latter.]
From this subject the following reflections naturally arise :
1. What compassion should we feel for the Jewish nation !
[Once were they the most highly-favoured people upon earth : the privileges which were exclusively conferred on them,
almost exceed belief But how degraded are they now!
they are " a hissing, and a reproach, to the whole earth g." Yet behold, such are they become for us ! Incredible as it may seem, " they were broken off, that we might be engrafted on their stemh:" they were disinherited, that we might possess their property s. Can we consider this, and feel no compassion for them ? Can we pass them by, as the priest and Levite did, and shew them no mercy ; especially when God has told us, that the very end for which he has had mercy upon us, is, that we may be the means of extending that mercy unto themk? Even in reference to the wants of the body, God has said, " If a man see his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" How much more then is this true respecting the wants of the soul ! Beloved brethren, judge yourselves in reference to this matter; and try your love to God by the measure of your compassion to his benighted people : and never think that your own souls are right before God, till you have learned to pity, and pray for, and to seek the salvation of, " the lost sheep of the house of Israel."]
2. How should we fear and tremble for ourselves !
[Highly favoured as the Jews once were, they are now outcasts from God, and monuments of his just vengeance: and, if we abuse our privileges, a similar fate awaits us also. " If God spared not the natural branches," says the Apostle, " take heed lest he also spare not thee1." It was " for their unbelief
> ver. 28, 31.
e Jer. xxix. 18.
•' ver. 19
k ver. 28, .31.
i ver. 21
u'OL. XV.