"the isles of the heathen." 1 Does not this foretell the conversion of gentiles to the worship of the true God, not at Jerusalem, but "every one “from his place?" and when shall this be, but under the reign of the Messiah? 2

"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for lo "I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord; and many nations shall be 'joined together to the Lord in that day, and "shall be my people; and thou shalt know that "the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee."3 Who is the speaker in this prediction? Is not the Messiah? When he comes to the daughter of Zion, " many nations shall be joined to the "Lord, and become his people."-The passage, from the eighth of Zechariah has before been considered.

"From the rising of the sun unto the going "down thereof, my name shall be great among "the gentiles; and in every place incense shall "be offered unto my name, and a pure offering; "for my name shall be great among the hea"then." 4

To what times does this last of the ancient prophets refer in this prediction? Does he not evidently speak of the times of the Messiah? Under his reign," the name of JEHOVAH shall be great among the gentiles," and "in every place" acceptable worship shall be rendered; as acceptable as the incense and oblations at the temple, when presented in the most proper manner. But how

can this be, if there is no Messiah for the 'Gentiles?'

"To him give all the prophets witness, that "through his name whosoever believeth in him "shall receive remission of sins."1 "Is he the "God of the Jews only? is he not also of the gen"tiles? Yes of the gentiles also." 2When it is considered that Israel, taken at his largest increase, through all generations hitherto, hath not formed one hundredth part of the human species, probably not above one third of that proportion; the mind revolts from the idea of the Creator wholly overlooking all the rest of mankind, and confining all his special favours to this single nation. Nothing could reconcile the man of reflection to this, but some clear proof that this favoured nation was, either by nature, or at least by grace, and in character, decidedly more holy and devoted to God, than other nations: but their whole scriptural history, and the testimonies of Moses and all the prophets, and even that of their own historian, decide against this. It would also be previously expected, in this case, that uniform preeminence in prosperity, as well as in piety, would have been conspicuous in all the annals of the nation: but the contrary to this has hitherto been the fact; and the whole term, from the calling of Abraham to this day, must constitute a vast proportion of the duration of the world, according to the scriptures.-If, however, the word of God had so decided it, though contrary to all analogy and

reasoning, we ought to be silent, and, adore the depths, which we could not fathom: but, while a precedency of honour and distinction is reserved for Israel; it seems to be the clear tenour of scripture, that this precedency was not conceded merely for their own benefit; but, that they might be a blessing to the nations of the earth in general. "I will bless thee, and thou shalt be a blessing;' "In thee and in thy Seed shall all the families of "the earth be blessed." This Israel has been, and shall be, most eminently: and it might be thought this was more desirable and honourable, than a monopoly of blessings, with curses on all other nations on their account.

But Mr. C. is not apt to despair of his cause : and what it was impossible he could support out of the Old Testament, he attempts to prove from the New!

In quoting from St. Matthew, he inserts, but 'not the gentiles:' (p. 36. 1. 10;) which is assuming the point in debate. The scribes did not consider the Messiah as the Messiah of the gentiles; and neither the prophet, nor the evangelist was speaking on that subject.

P. 36. 1. 12. I am not sent,' &c. The personal ministry of Christ was intended to be principally among "the lost sheep of the house of Israel:" yet he healed the centurion's servant, and commended his faith; and added, "Many shall come "from the east, and from the west, and shall sit "down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in "the kingdom of heaven: but the children of the

"kingdom shall be cast out, into outer darkness, "where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 1 He healed also the daughter of the woman of Canaan, and commended her faith.2 He spent two days among the Samaritans.3 He said expressly to the chief priests and elders, "the king"dom of God shall be taken from you, and given "to a nation bringing forth the fruit thereof." 4 And his instructions to his apostles shew what he purposed, concerning his future church or kingdom. It would not be fair to argue with Jews from the New Testament, if they did not absurdly claim its authority, against the whole religion contained in it. But this assuredly can never serve their cause.

P. 36. 1. 14. When the Son of man,' &c.When our Lord said to his apostles, "Ye shall sit " on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of "Israel;" 6 he was so far from exclusively assigning the blessings of his kingdom to Israel, that he predicted the condemnation of Israel, by the testimony and judgment of his apostles."

P. 36. 1. 23 Christ forgot the whole world,' &c. -What has already been stated sufficiently answers this; especially his commission, given to the apostles, and his account of the day of judgment.9

P. 36. 1. 31. Neither Christ,' &c.-By far the

greater part of the history of Christianity, in the Acts of the apostles, and the apostolical epistles, relates to the gentiles. But let the reader consult the passages referred to.1

It does not appear why the quotation from Philippians was brought in, (p. 37. 1. 1;) except to introduce the assertion that follows; which would have stood quite as well alone as with this introduction.

P. 37. 1. 5. Hitherto we have proved,' &c.— I trust the contrary to all this has been fully proved: namely, That the Messiah is come; that the Messiah was predicted as 'the Messiah of the gentiles,' as well as of Israel; that Jesus was the promised Messiah; and that he is "over all, God "blessed for evermore."

P. 37. 1. 13. I am sent only to the house of 'Israel,' &c. "I am not sent, but to the lost "sheep of the house of Israel." These are our Lord's words in the passage referred to.2 His personal ministry, and his commission to his apostles, have already been considered: and it will hereafter be fully shewn that " the house of Israel," including and principally signifying the rulers, priests, and teachers of Israel; that is, "the blind guides," fslse teachers, and hypocritical wicked rulers of Israel; means something vastly different from "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." He was sent "to the lost sheep," and not to the wicked shepherds "of Israel; through whose crimes. the people were" as sheep not having a shepherd.” 3

1

Rom. iii. 29. ix. 24-32. x. 12-21. xi. 11-13. 1 Thes.

ii. 16, 17.

2 Matt. xv.

24.

Mark vi. 34.