I saythen, HathGodcast awayhispeople? God forbid. ForIalsoaman Israelite, ofthe seedof Abraham, of the tribeof Benjamin. Godhath notcast awayhispeoplewhichhe foreknew. Wotye notwhattheScripturesaithofElijah? howhe maketh intercessionto GodagainstIsrael, saying, Lord, they have killedthyprophets, anddigged downthinealtars; and Iam leftalone, andthey seekmylife. Butwhatsaiththeanswer of Godunto him? I have reservedto myselfseven thousandmen, whohave notbowedthe kneeto the image of Baal. Even sothenatthis presenttimealsothere isa remnantaccordingto the electionof grace. Andifby grace, then is it no moreofworks: otherwisegraceisno moregrace. Butif it be ofworks, then isit no moregrace: otherwiseworkisno morework. Whatthen? Israelhathnotobtainedthat whichhe seeketh for; buttheelectionhath obtainedit, andtherestwere blinded. (According asit is written, Godhath giventhemthe spiritof slumber, eyesthat they should notsee, andearsthat they should nothear;) untothisday. AndDavidsaith, Let theirtablebe madeasnare, andatrap, andastumblingblock, andarecompenseunto them: Let theireyesbe darkened, that they may notsee, andbow downtheirbackalways. I saythen, Have theystumbledthatthey should fall? God forbid: but rather through theirfallsalvation is come unto theGentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Nowifthefallof them be the richesof the world, andthediminishingof themthe richesof the Gentiles; how muchmoretheirfullness? ForI speakto youGentiles, inasmuch asIamthe apostleof the Gentiles, I magnifymineoffice: If by any meansI may provoke to emulation them which are myflesh, andmight savesomeofthem. Forifthecasting awayof them be the reconcilingof the world, what shall thereceiving of them be, butlifefromthe dead? Forifthefirstfruit be holy, thelump is also holy : andiftheroot be holy, so are thebranches. Andifsomeof thebranchesbe broken off, andthou, beinga wild olive tree, wert grafted inamongthem, andwith thempartakestof therootandfatnessof theolive tree; Boast not againstthebranches. Butifthou boast, thoubearestnottheroot, buttherootthee. Thou wilt saythen, Thebrancheswere broken off, thatImight be grafted in. Well; because of unbeliefthey were broken off, andthoustandestby faith. Be not highminded, butfear: ForifGodsparednotthenaturalbranches, take heed lesthe also sparenotthee. Beholdthereforethe goodnessandseverityof God: onthem which fell, severity; buttowardthee, goodness, ifthou continue in his goodness: otherwisethoualsoshalt be cut off. Andtheyalso, if they abide notstill in unbelief, shall be grafted in: forGodisableto graft them inagain. Forifthouwert cutoutof theolive tree which is wildbynature, andwert graftedcontraryto natureintoa good olive tree: how muchmoreshall these, whichbe the natural branches, be grafted intotheir ownolive tree? ForI wouldnot, brethren, that yeshould be ignorantof thismystery, lestye should bewiseinyour own conceits; thatblindnessinpartis happenedto Israel, untilthefullnessof theGentilesbe come in. AndsoallIsraelshall be saved: asit is written, There shall comeout ofZiontheDeliverer, andshall turn awayungodlinessfromJacob: Forthisismycovenantunto them, whenI shall take awaytheirsins. As concerningthegospel, they are enemiesfor your sakes: butas touchingtheelection, they are belovedfor the fathers' sakes. Forthegiftsandcallingof God are without repentance. Forasyein times pasthavenot believedGod, yethave nowobtained mercythrough theirunbelief: Even sohave thesealsonownot believed, thatthrough yourmercytheyalsomay obtain mercy. ForGodhath concludedthem allinunbelief, thathe might have mercyupon all. Othe depthof the richesbothof the wisdomandknowledgeof God! howunsearchable are hisjudgments, andhiswayspast finding out! Forwhohath knownthe mindof the Lord? orwhohath beenhiscounselor? Orwhohath first givento him, andit shall be recompensedunto himagain? Forofhim, andthroughhim, andtohim, are all things: to whom be gloryforever. Amen.