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that the defolation thereof is nigh. Then let them, which are in Judea, flee to the mountains-for these be the days of vengeance; that all things which be written, may be fulfilled. And they shall fall by the edge of the fword, and fhall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerufalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Luke xxi. 20, &c.-At what time this final prediction will be compleated, can only be known by the all-wife God. In the mean time this widely separated people remain a continued miracle; and have fo remained for ages. They are a lasting monument of prophetic veracity; and, wherever their fortune has driven them, they have been an astonishment, a proverb, and a by-word among nations.

Such is the history of the Jews, and their difperfion, to which we have nothing fimilar in the annals of time. They are admitted, and fixed, but never incorporated with any nation under heaven. They are every where distinct and unconverted; and, confequently enemies to the gofpel. Rivers run downwards through many outlets to the

fea:

fea and are foon blended and loft in the ocean. But the Jews are like the waters of Styx, which remain unmixed, wherever they flow, and retain their bitterness to the laft.

Concerning the calling of the Gentiles.

When it pleased God to choose the posterity of Abraham to be the confervators of his divine oracles, and to found his church among them, it was his defign that they fhould be a feparate people. He accordingly placed them in a land originally destined for them, and which was particularly adapted to this purpose. And he gave them laws, by which they were prohibited from having any people incorporated with them, who would not fubmit to their rites and religion. This was done, that the name and knowledge of the one true God might be preferved in this felected nation; when it was loft or obfcured in the rest of the world. They were in confequence of this stiled in the scriptures a special, a peculiar, and a chosen people, and the fons of God. But

in

in time they carried this caution and this prerogative to a degree of extravagance, They looked upon themselves, as fanctified, and fuperior to all other people. This produced an unwarrantable difguft, and even abhorrence, towards other nations, with whom they never willingly would affociate. Hence it was, that the woman of Samaria faid to our Saviour, How is it, that thou being a few, afkeft drink of me, who am a woman of Samaria? and the Evangelift gives the reafon-for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. John iv. 9. Nor did they countenance any intercourfe with other more diftant people. Hence St. Peter says to Cornelius the centurion, and those who were with him: Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing (that is-according to the national prejudices) for a man, that is a few, to keep company with, or come unto, one of another nation. But God hath fhewn me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Acts x. 28. The Samaritans were fo abhorred by the Jews, that when the latter thought to vent the most opprobrious language to our Saviour, they faid-Thou

art

art a Samaritan, and haft a devil. John viii. 48.

The Prejudices of the Jews in respect to this Article.

In confequence of this prepoffeffion, nothing but a cogent, and fupernatural influence, could have forced the prophets of old to disclose a truth, fo contrary to their opinion, that the Gentiles (people of all nations under heaven) should in process of time be called, and become the people of God: that Chrift, of whom they prophefied, fhould invite them, and that they should be admitted to his glorious difpenfation. There were three things, which were impoffible to have been carried into execution, without the manifeft interpofition of the Deity. First, that the prophets fhould, contrary to their inveterate prejudices, declare this truth: Secondly, that the apoftles, under the like rooted prejudices, fhould admit the truth, and co-operate towards the converfion, and admiffion of the heathen nations. And lastly, that those nations, under equal prejudices,

prejudices, devoted to the religion of their fathers, and averfe, as far as they were known, to the Jews, fhould accede to the truth, recommended by people, whom they held in no estimation. After all thefe comes another difficulty, without a miracle infuperable: which consists in the means requifite to carry on this great work. For these nations were widely feparated: and as they were of different rites and manners, fo they were of different languages. How then was it poffible for a few illiterate men of Galilee, and their adherents, to win over to the gospel such variety of people, whom they could neither understand, nor be understood by them? Yet they did effect it: and nothing but the divine affistance could have brought it to perfection.

The first Difficulty.

In the process, which we are to purfue, we will first confider the moft early predictions of the prophets concerning the calling of the Gentiles. And at the fame time let it be remembered, what, I hope, has been moft

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