1. " As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for our sakes" —
[That they are enemies to God and his Christ, has been abundantly manifested, by their conduct towards all who pro- phesied of Christ ; by their crucifying of the Lord of Glory, when he had put himself in their power ; and by their deter- mined rejection of his Gospel, when, with such abundant evidence of its divine origin, it was preached unto them. Un- happily, we have still but too plain proofs that this enmity continues unabated. They hate the Gospel precisely as they did in the apostolic age, and reject its gracious overtures with disdain.
Now, whence is it that God has suffered their enmity to rise to such an height, and to rankle in their bosoms with such inveterate malignity? The Apostle tells us, He has suffered it "for our sakes." But how "for our sakes?" What interest can we have in it ? This we will endeavour to explain.
God originally chose the Jews for his peculiar people, and vouchsafed to reveal himself exclusively to them. When, by their abuse of his blessings, they had " provoked him to become their enemy d," he determined to make himself known to the Gentiles, and to transfer to them the blessings which had been so wantonly despised. Therefore he cast off the Jews, and adopted the Gentiles in their place.
But it may be asked, Why should he cast off the Jews, in order to make room for the Gentiles ? Was not the heart of the infinitely gracious Jehovah capable of embracing both ? And might not the blessings of salvation, like the light and warmth of the sun, be enjoyed by both at once, without any loss or injury to either? I answer, God, no doubt, could have admitted both to enjoy his favour at the same time : but, for reasons best known to himself, he did not see fit to do so. He had displayed his sovereignty in the choice of the Jews : and now he would glorify the same perfection in the choice of the Gentiles also. His grace is his own ; and he will dispense it to whom he will, and at what time he will, and in what measure he will ; " nor will he give account to us of any of his matters." It is not for us to say to him, " What doest thou? " It is our part to acquiesce, with all humility and gratitude, in his sove- reign dispensations ; and, in reference to them all, to say, with our blessed Lord, " I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes : even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sighte." Having, then,
rt Isai. lxiii. 10. c Matt. xi. 2">, 2(5.