A Sermon, Delivered Before the Massachusetts Missionary Society, at Their Annual Meeting May 25, 1802 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1802 edition. Excerpt: ... SERMON Romans xi. 25. Blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. a the time the apostle addressed the Romans, it is evident, from the connexion, that some of the Jews and Gentiles embraced Christ, while the generality of both rejected him. It is farther evident, that as the partial revolt of the Jews had been the occasion of the partial calling of the Gentiles, so God intended to effect the ample return of the Hebrews, in consequence of the ample reformation of the Gentile world. This sovereign order of events unfolds the mystery of Providence to which the Apostle refers in the context. Hence the doctrine. It is God's purpose, in reclaiming the world, to hzake the Conversion of the Gentiles the occasion of the Restoration of the Jezvs. To elucidate the doctrine, point out that course of providence which effects the gracious design; and improve the whole by several appropriate inferences and reflections, shall comprise the method of discourse. First. Let us attend to the doctrine. That God will reclaim the world at some future period is too manifestly supported by the general style of prophecy to require any particular explanation. It is the received opinion of informed christians, with which the best writers on prophecy promptly concur, that the peculiar fruits of the cross will be displayed by the reformation of the world. Though great things were effected for Zion's prosperity directly upon Christ's ascension, and during the successful times of the Apostles, and the subsequent days of reformation; though millions have been savingly enlightened since the christian asra, and Christ has seen of the travail of his soul, in every period of the church, to make up our mind on the ample ground of prophecy, he...