320- NONE EXCLUDED FROM HOPE. {SEAM. XIX. transacted, it goes forth'to the rest of the nations with brighter evidence and glory. might add in the last place, that it was . fit it should be first published to the Jews, who seemed to have the; first claim to it ; that since they refused it, it might be offered to the poor gentile nations with greater justice and equity, even.: the Jews themselves being judges: Such are the frequent hints given by St. Paul; Acts xiii. 46. It was necessary that the word, of God shouldhave been first spoke toyou; but seeing ye put it from you, atuljudgeyourselves unworthy ofeverlasting life, lo, we turn to the gentiles. Be it known therefore unto.you, that the salvation ofGod is sent, unto the gen- tiles, and they trill -hear it, Acts xxviii. 28. When we think of that poor unhappy nation, the Jews,, scattered abroad among -all the .kingdoms of the earth, banished from their own promised land for their, rejec- tion of Christ, and yet hardened in their' unbelief, me- thinks we should send out a groan of pityfor them ; for they are, the sons and daughters ofAbraham, the first favourites of our God. Jesus our Saviour was their 141essiah, their kinsman and their rightful king. We should send up a kind wish, to heaven upon their ac= count, "How long, O. Lord, how long shall Israel, be cast off? How long wilt thou be angry with the children of Abraham, thy friend? When shall the day come for the opening_of their eyes,. that they may look on Jesus whom they, pierced, and believe and mourn? When shall the veil be taken off from their hearts, that they may read the books of Moses,,and. trust in Jesus of Nazareth, whom their fathers crucified ?" When we see one and another of the Jewish nation in this great city, and think of their blindness and their zeal for the idle traditions of their teachers, and observe their ignorant rage against our blessed Saviour ; when we behold the vain superstitions of their worship, the thick darkness that hangs upon themunder the brightest beams of gospel light, and their wide distance from sal- vation, we should let our eyes affect our hearts, and drop a tear of compassion upon their -souls. " These. were they to whom the pomises of salvation .did first belong, and to whom the first flews was brought, that' Jcsus the Saviour is born. These are they to whom the
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