to us) they (the unbelieving Jews) should obtain mercy*." Now, what should we say of any person to whom the care of a lighthouse had been committed, if, through his neglect to exhibit the light, the very fleet which he was appointed to preserve should suffer shipwreck, and ten thousand mariners be drowned ? would not the whole nation charge him with the guilt of their destruction, yes, and visit him too with condign punishment for his offence? Yet he would be innocent in comparison of us, who have been accessary not to the loss of the bodily life of a few thousands ; but to the eternal per- dition of millions, in that we have neglected to set before them that light by which alone they could be saved. O let us not blame the Jews for the veil that is upon their hearts, but cast the blame where it is more justly due — on the Christian world, who have used no efforts to rend it from them, and to give them the light of life. And, as our neglect has been of long continuance, let us now exert ourselves with an energy that shall at once evince the depth of our repentance for our neglect of them, and the sincerity of our gratitude for the mercies vouchsafed to us.]
a Rom. xi. 31.
2 Cor. iii. 17. Noiv the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
THE Scriptures are not sufficiently viewed as a zohole. We are apt to take detached parts only, and to form opinions from them, when we ought rather to regard every part in its connexion with the rest ; and so to get a comprehensive view of religion, in all its parts, and in all its bearings. The truth is, that revelation is the same from the beginning, and con- stitutes one great whole ; it is a body having many parts that are visible and tangible : but it is pe- netrated by a soul, which, though invisible, really pervades every part ; and that soul is Christ.
The Apostle, in the preceding context, is comparing the Law and the Gospel ; which, if disjoined, may be considered, the one as a " mere letter" a ministration of death ; the other, as a Spirit, a '' ministration of righteousness and life^ :" but if they be viewed in their
a ver. 6 — 9.