disobedience of former generations had forfeited the national privilege: for the promise had been renewed from age to age as long as prophecy continued. All former unbelief did but foreshadow and prepare the great national apostasy now well-nigh accomplished in the rejection of Christ by the Jews. This subject, here briefly touched to meet a possible objection, is the main theme of ch. 9–11. And we there see how anxious St. Paul was to assure himself and others that “the gifts and calling of God