the heart which feels this, is in the right frame to receive mercy. It acknowledges its own demerit, whilst it lays hold on the merits of Christ's death. It feels as the apostles felt, when the sea was raging around them: "Save, Lord, or we perish."1 Like the nobleman of Capernaum, who pressed with such earnestness his entreaty: "Sir, come down ere my child die." 2 Like the woman of Canaan: "If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be healed." 3 No one can doubt that the heart was engaged here. And with the heart man believeth unto righteousness. He is "counted righteous" for Christ's sake, having submitted himself to the righteousness of God.

But though this faith has its seat in the heart, it must not lie hidden there. It must be acknowledged and exhibited in the life. The apostle says here, If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus. He alludes to the chief trial of that age. The believer was asked whether he was a Christian. If he confessed it, he must be prepared for "the spoiling of his goods:" or for "cruel mockings and scourgings:" or for " "imprisonment:" or for "sundry kinds of death." Therefore to confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, was a proof of sincere devotedness. Such a proof as Simon promised, when he said, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." Yet such as he could not actually exhibit, till he was strengthened from above. Such proofs the history of the early church is full of: when multitudes, being compelled to swear by the heathen deities, on pain 2 John iv. 40.

1 John iv. 46-49.

3 Matt. ix. 21.

of immediate death, replied in the spirit of the martyr Polycarp: "Reproach Christ!" (this was demanded of him :) "Lo, these eighty and six years do I serve him, and never hath he injured me; and how can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?"

What was in those times the confession of the mouth, must be, now, the confession of the life. They who act upon the principles of the Gospel, must act in a different way from many by whom they are surrounded; just as those who then confessed that they worshipped Christ, were opposed to the unbelieving Jews, and to their heathen neighbours who adhered to their idols. And by so living, confession is made unto salvation. "Faith is per

4

fected:" and the purpose is accomplished for which "the grace of God appeared unto all men;" namely, that he might "purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, and redeemed from all iniquity."

LECTURE XXX.

THE DUTY OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO THE

GENTILES.

ROMANS X. 12-21.

12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

4 James ii. 22.

5

Tit. ii. 14.

13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.1

So said the prophets of old. Many such sentences appear in their writings; like streaks of light in the horizon, which intimate the dawn of a bright day to come, when the favour of God should be openly manifested to all, which had hitherto been extended to the Jew alone." Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Does not this show that a time was approaching, when there should be no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for that God is no respecter of persons, but rich unto all that call upon him?

"" 2

Why, then, should the Jews be jealous, and "forbid us to speak unto the Gentiles that they may be saved?" If God at the sixth or ninth hour chooses to hire fresh labourers into his vineyard,3 and to give them a share in the heavenly recompense, why should the older labourers grudge or murmur? Why be envious because God is merciful? We have the prophetic assurance, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. But they must first learn on whom to call.

14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things ! ↑ 2 Isa. lv. 1.

1 Joel ii. 32.
Matt. xx. 1, &c.

If God intends the salvation of a people, he provides the means of their salvation. When the leper called upon the Lord Jesus for a cure, saying, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean:"5 he believed in his divine power. But he could not have believed, unless he had first heard of his fame; and he could not have heard of his fame, if no one had proclaimed it. How then shall the Gentiles call upon the name of the Lord, unless his apostles are sent to preach the Gospel to them? And it is written, that they should be sent. Isaiah foresaw in his prophetic vision, how the Lord should give the word, and a great company should go forth to preach the Gospel of peace. He pictured them to himself like a party advancing to relieve some besieged camp, or furnish supplies to some country wasted by famine; when he exclaimed, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation!"

16. But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It is true, as some might object, that all have not obeyed the Gospel. Some of the heathen, like the Jews themselves, have "put it from them, and counted themselves unworthy of eternal life." But this too was foreseen: for Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? The grace of God has been too often frustrated by the unbelief of man. Still this should not prevent our proclaiming the

5 Matt. viii. 2.

6

6 Is. liii. 1.

glad tidings; for without hearing, none could believe: faith cometh by hearing; and without preaching none could believe; for the word believed, is the word preached, the word of God.

18. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world."

We read this in the nineteenth Psalm. So that even David foretold the time when the ways of God should be known on earth, his "saving health unto all nations." And though many may have heard in vain, and not believed our report, many have both heard and hearkened, and have come from the end of the world, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, and have entered into the kingdom of God.

Notice, moreover, timely notice had been given to the Israelites themselves. Moses foretold God's purposes regarding them; Isaiah confirmed the same; and together with the prophecy declared the reasons of his counsels.

19. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.8

20. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.9

21. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. 1

Thus the way of God's dealings is disclosed and justified. What Moses, what Isaiah predicted, had

7 Ps. xix. 4.

9 Isa. lxv. 1, 2.

8 Deut xxxii. 21.

1 Isa. lxv. 2.