obtained mercy through their unbelief; even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy8." Here let it be clearly seen, that the very end for which this mercy is com- mitted unto us is, " that through our mercy they also may obtain mercy .-" and if we do not improve, for the restoration of God's ancient people, the light and knowledge, the means and privileges, which we enjoy, we are unfaithful stewards. Were we speaking of a steward, who had alienated to his own use the pro- perty which we had entrusted to him for the benefit of others, we should find no terms too severe, not even those of thief and robber, whereby to charac- terize his conduct. We are unwilling to use such terms in reference to the Christian world, who have so long neglected their Jewish brethren ; for we are persuaded, that this neglect has proceeded from ignorance and inattention to the subject, rather than from any wilful dereliction of the trust committed to them : but we must say, that, if the Jews continue to be neglected by us as they have been, we shall contract a fearful responsibility before God.
There is an idea, which is often suggested in order to excuse our supineness, namely, that they are so blind and hardened, that it is in vain to attempt their conversion. But whose fault is it that they are so blind and hardened ? Is it not ours ? If Christians had universally displayed in their life and conversation the superior excellence of their religion, is there not reason to think, that the Jews might by this time have been led to view it in a more favourable light ? Is there not also reason to apprehend, that they have been confirmed in their prejudices against Christianity by the misconduct of its professors ? What wonder is it that they are ignorant of Christianity, when the professors of it now for so many hundred years have made no efforts to enlighten them with respect to it? I say again, The fault is ours. If Christians had universally laboured for their salvation, as their forefathers did for ours, would there have been no
s ver. 30, 31.