face of Jesus Christ ! " How few are so affected with a sight of Christ, as to be " changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord" ! " Are there not on every side myriads, who, like the Jews themselves, are looking for acceptance with God by a superstitious observance of ordi- nances, or, at best, by their own repentance and reformation ; and who have no higher views of Christ than as purchasing for them a right and title to be their own saviours ? Yes, such is the state of the generality amongst us : and those who glory in the cross of Christ, and walk faithfully in his steps, are at this day " for signs and for wonders," almost as much as they were in the days of the Prophet Isaiah p. In every age, and in every place, they are but " a little flock," a mere " remnant," and it is only by the removal of the veil from their hearts that any can become of their happy number. Whatever advantages we may enjoy, it is *' not flesh and blood that can reveal Christ unto us, but only our Father that is in heaven i." If we have not " a spirit of wisdom and revelation given us for the enlightening of the eyes of our understanding," we shall continue in darkness, notwithstanding the true light shineth all around us^ The Lord must open our hearts; or they will continue closed, even to our dying hour^ Let us seek then to have the veil removed from our hearts, that the Gospel may not be hid from us. This is a blessing which God has promised to us, yes, to us sinners of the Gentiles*: and, if we will turn to him, and seek him with our whole hearts, he will vouchsafe it unto us ; and " bring us out of darkness into the marvellous light of his Gospel."]
2. What we should seek in behalf of our Jewish brethren.
[The removal of this veil is all that is wanting on their behalf. But many think it in vain to labour for this end : they seem to imagine that nothing but a miracle can effect so great a work. But why should it be more difficult with them than with others ? Are not the Gentiles as blind as ever the Jews can be? Look at the worshippers of Mahomet, of Brahma, and Confucius, and see if they are not as blind and bigoted as the Jews themselves. What were our forefathers, when first the Gospel was preached to them ? Were not they as far off from God as the Jews are at this day ? Yet see what has been wrought by the Gospel in this happy land. People do not despair of the conversion of the most savage tribes of Africa and America : why then should we despair of seeing " the scales fall from the eyes " of Jews? Is not God as able
° ver. 18. P Isai. viii. 18. i Matt. xvi. 16, 17.
' Eph. i. 17, 18. s Acts xvi. 14. t igaj. xxv. 7.