SERMON XIX. 265 .1f this gospel of Christ had been first preached to the gen- tiles, while it waskept silent and secret amongst theJews, there might have been reason to suspect that there was some fraud or falsehood at the bottom, and that this doctrine would not bear the light in the country where these things were done, and that it.' would not stand the test of examination in thé land of Judea, and therefore the story was""told first among strangers : And thus the gentiles might have found some difficulty to receive it, andbeen prejudiced Against the belief of it. But now, when it iS published through all the laud of Israel, and the apostles ap- peal to theirown countrymen for the truth of these transactions ;. when it has stood the test of public examination there, where the thingswere transacted, it goes forth to the rest ofthe nations with brighter evidence and glory. IV. I 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 beingjudges. Such are the frequent hints given by. St. Paul ; Acts xiü. 46. It was necessary that the word of God should have beenfarst_spoke to.you ; but seeingyeput itfrom you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Be it known therefore unto you, that the sal- vation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will 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 rejection of Christ, and yet hardened in their unbelief, methinks we should send oút a groan of pity for them ; for they are the sons and daughters of Abraham, the first favourites of our God. Jesus our Saviour was their Messiah, their kinsman, and their rightful king. We should sendup a kind wish to heaten upon their account, "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 theyy pierced, and believe and mourn? When shall the veil be taken offfrom 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 theirblindness and their zeal for the idle traditions of their teachers, and observe their ignorant' rage against our blessedSaviour : when we behold the vain supersti- tionsof their worship, the thick darkness that hangsupon them under thebrightest beamsof gospel-light, and their wide distance
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