SECTION XL.

Prophetical Hints of Heathen Salvability. THE expressions of the several prophets, with regard to the extent and benefits of the Christian dispensation, are so universal and unlimited, that, I think, they can hardly be confined to the limits of Christendom, when we consider its small extent, as compared to the whole habitable world. A few examples will illustrate my meaning.

"I will give thee for a light unto the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation even to the end of the earth." Isa. xlix. 6. "I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted; behold these shall come from far, and lo, these from the north and the west, and those from the land of Sinim. Sing O heavens, rejoice O earth," &c. ver. 11-13. “Thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and shall make the desolate places inhabited," liv. "The maker of the whole earth shall he be called," ver. 5. "Ho, every one

that thirsteth," &c. See ch. lv. “The forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee," lx. 5. "To comfort all that mourn," lxi. passim. Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham acknowledge us not," lxiii. 16. "As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the seed of David my servant," xxxiii. 22. "Under it (the Gospel) shall dwell fowl of every wing," Ezek. xvii. 23.

These and similar passages, I am aware, are generally construed as relating exclusively to the members of the Christian Church; nor can it be questioned that they have a more immediate reference to those who are thus professedly called. But it deserves consideration, whether they may not also admit of a more wide and comprehensive interpretation. I would submit, then, whether they may not relate to the dispensation, as well as to the revelation of the Gospel; and whether it is not in this sense, that Messias was styled "the desire of all nations," &c.

And here, also, it should be considered,

whether, when the Gentiles are thus mentioned, in plain contradiction to the Jews, it can be defensible to confine the acceptation of the word exclusively to Christians, or converted Gentiles. Thus, when the Psalmist declares of Christ, "Thou shalt make me the head of the Heathen," does it seem natural to put such a meaning on his expression, as that by which the majority of the Heathen must be altogether excluded? These observations are of very wide extent, and they will be found to relate, not only to the ancient prophets, but to many parts of the New Testament. Thus the Baptist applies to the advent of Christ the words of Esaias, "Every valley shall be filled, every mountain brought low, the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of our God," Luke iii. 5, 6.

If it may be laid down as a general canon of criticism, that "as no Scripture is of private interpretation," it is, for the most part, safer to extend, than to contract its meaning. If there be, as Lord Bacon

expresses it, a "germinant quality" in every part of God's revelations, then such expressions seem to have a latitude and longitude about them which can hardly be compressed within the bounds of the Christian Church.

And still further to confirm these observations, we should remember, the amazing length and breadth which are given to such prophecies in the New Testament. Thus Simeon, when he beheld the Messias, applied to him the predictions of Isaiah in all their extent. "Mine eyes

have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles," &c. Luke ii. 29, 32. "The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all nations, and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God," lii. 10.

So also our Saviour applies to himself these prophecies in all their amplitude. See Luke iv. 17-21.

SECTION XLI.

General Intimations of Mercy towards the Heathen.

WHEN God was about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their enor mous wickedness, Abraham exclaimed,

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Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" Gen. xviii. 23–25. The answer which God returned on this occasion evinced, that his love and equity were extended over mankind at large, and not confined to the Patriarch's family.

But there are occasional notices of Heathen nations in different parts of the Bible, which seem clearly to establish this point. "At what time I speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up and pull down and destroy it, if that nation against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil I thought to do unto unto them." Jer. xviii. 7—10. "I am the Lord who exercise loving kindness, judgment and righteousness, &c. in