SERMON XII.

EPISTLE to the ROMANS,

Chapter iii. Verse 29.

Is be the God of the fews only? Is he not allo of the Gentiles?

IT is T is the peculiar excellence of the Chriftian difpenfation that it extends the bleffings of divine goodness and mercy to the whole race of Mankind. In the light in which the Gospel represents him, God is no refpecter of Perfons, but in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.* From the universal Pa

rent of all created beings, Impartial Benevolence may reasonably be expected; it is an attribute of perfection fuitable to the notions we naturally form of his infinite Juftice.

The Scriptures however have in this respect been charged with contradicting themfelves, as if what we are required to believe of God's Nature was irreconcileable with the History they give of his dealings with the Sons of Men.

The advocates for Infidelity have with an air of triumph afferted, that either God did not reveal himself to the descendants of Abraham in the particular manner related in the Old Teftament, or that if he did, he therein favoured one nation inconsistently with the impartiality ascribed to him in the New Testament.

Every Christian acknowledges the Jewish religion to have its appointment from God; it must be confeffed likewife that the institution was confined to one small people poffeffing but an inconfiderable portion of the earth in comparison with the mighty

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Empires of the East.Its limitation we grant to be expreffly afferted in the Holy Scriptures: He fhewed his word unto Jacob, bis ftatutes, and his judgments unto Ifrael; he hath not dealt fo with any other nation, neither have the Heathen knowledge of his Laws.*

My intention nevertheless is, to shew, that notwithstanding the title of God's peculiar People, which the Jews fo vainly arrogated to themselves, they were ever dealt with according to the ordinary courfe of divine Justice, and (which is the most im→ portant, and interefting part of the inquiry) that the reft of Mankind were equally comprehended with them in the gracious defign, and glorious accomplishment of that difpenfation which was delivered by their Prophets.

From the whole tenor of the Law, and the feveral obligations impofed upon the Jews, it is evident that the main object for which they were separated, and kept diftinct from the nations around them, was

to further the purpose of divine wifdom and goodness, in making known the Meffiah in due time.

In the conduct, and promotion of this gracious purpofe it pleafed God indeed to effect by figns and wonders their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, yet he fuffered them foon after for their perversenefs to wander in the wilderness, and remain there forty years.

He fed them, it is true, when they cried to him in their distress, with bread from heaven, yet for the punishment of their crimes he fent fiery ferpents among them, the Earth opened and fwallowed them up.

Though he drove out the Heathen and gave them their Land in poffeffion, a land in comparison of the wilderness wherein their forefathers had fojourned, flowing with milk and honey, yet was it not comparable with many other parts of the Earth for healthfulness, and fertility, nor did they ever poffefs it long in peace or fecurity; and left they might still prefume on the particular interpofition of God's Providence,

dence, it was expreflly declared to them, Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart doft thou go to possess their Land ; but for the wickedness of thefe Nations, the Lord thy God doth drive them out before thee, and that he may perform the word which the "Lord fware unto thy Fathers Abraham, Ifaac, and Facob. Understand therefore that the Lord thy God giveth thee not this good land to poffefs it for thy righteousness.

Their National profperity was the temporary confequence of publick virtues; and whenever they turned afide (as they frequently did) from doing what was right, and pleasing in the fight of God, National Calamity ever followed, their country was laid waste, their fenced cities were broken down, and their Sons and their Daughters were led into Captivity.

By a fpecial revelation a more distinct knowledge of God's nature and will was indeed imparted to the Jews than to the reft of the world; but at the fame time

* Deut. ch. ix. ver. 5, 6.

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