to our duty ; determined, at least, to obtain this testi- mony both from God and from our own consciences, that, whether successful or not in our labours for them, " We have done what we could." Our every effort will be pleasing to God : and, though he should refuse to confer on us the honour we affect, of raising up the tabernacle of David that is broken down, he will at least accept our pious inclinations, and, in the presence of the whole assembled universe, will say to each of us, " Thou hast done well, in that it was in thy heart."
Rom. xi. 25 — 27. / would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits ; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved : as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob : for this is my covenant unto them, token I shall take away their sins.
IT is surprising, how indifferent even pious Chris- tians are on the subject of the future restoration of the Jews. Though the Scriptures speak so much of it, the generality are contended to be altogether igno- rant of God's designs respecting them. Yet, in the midst of their ignorance, they are as decided in their sentiments on this subject as if they had made it their peculiar study, and were able to explain all the prophecies relating to it. Some will tell us, confi- dently, that the time for the conversion of Israel is not yet come ; and that, when it shall be come, it shall be effected by miracle : and that, consequently, it is both unnecessary and presumptuous in us to attempt it. But, " brethren, I would not have you ignorant of this mystery ;" more especially because it is in this chapter so plainly and so fully unfolded to our view. To aid you in contemplating the state of the Jews, I will endeavour to point out, I. The period allotted for their present blindness —