6

Israel was first called to the privileges and blessings of the gospel, and turning a deaf ear to it, they were rejected for a season, and the Gentiles called. Hence the prophet says, I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.' Isa. lxv: 1. By those who were not called by the name of God, is intended the Gentiles, who did not seek him. In this way, both Jews and Gentiles, which constitute all mankind, are to be saved -saved through the power of truth. Hence the apostle says, 'For the grace of God, that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.' Titus ii: 11, 12.

This is to be effected through the in

fluence of the gospel, which is represented by the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven; Rev. xxi: 2— and by the new heavens and new earth; Isa. lxv: 17. 2 Pet. iii: 13. It is also represented as Mount Sion, in contradistinction to the law. 6 For we have not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard, entreated that the word. should not be spoken to them any more; for they could not endure that which was commanded. And if so much as a beast touched the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust through with a dart. And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake. But ye are come to Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumera

ble company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.' Heb. xii: 18-24.

This gospel was designed to benefit all, and to be communicated to all, as Peter learned by his vision of the sheet let down from heaven. Acts x 11. It views all men as alike needy, for all are under the dominion and power of sin and need to be redeemed therefrom. Hence, the apostle says, 'We have proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.' Rom. iii: 9.

For God hath concluded all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.' Rom. xi: 22.

This gospel is called a light-' that true light, which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.'

John i: 9. Under its reign, a new order of things was to take place; for it was a new and better covenant. "For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws in their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to then a God, and they shall be to me a people. And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying know ye the Lord; for all shall know him from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.' Heb. viii: 10-12.

This promise or covenant was not to be confined to Israel alone, for it was said to Isaac In blessing will I bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand upon the sea shore; and thy

seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. And in thy seed, shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.' Gen. xxii: 17, 18. The same promise was repeated to Jacob, xxviii: 14, and first made to Abram, Gen. xii: 3. This seed, the apostle says, was Christ. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. * ** He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as one, and to thy seed, which is Christ.' Gal. iii: 8, 16.

Shall

This promise is true, whether men believe it or not; as says the apostle, 'What if some did not believe? their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid. Yea let God be true, but every man a liar.' Rom. iii: 3, 4. So it makes no differ