ow it may be reversed. The refusal of the
Jews to recognize the Christ has been the occasion for a turning to the
Gentiles. Thus the salvation of the Christ has come to them. And this
has happened in the divine providence in order that, as Moses
anticipated, they may in their turn provoke the Jews to jealousy--to a
jealous determination not to lose their old {62} privileges. Thus if
even the transgression of Israel has proved the occasion for enriching
the world as a whole, if even the deficiency of Israel (leaving vacant
space, as it were, in the Church) has proved the occasion for enriching
the Gentiles, how much more enrichment is to be expected when the
chosen people are recovered in their full number?

I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an
Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God did
not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or wot ye not what the
scripture saith of Elijah[4]? how he pleadeth with God against Israel,
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine
altars: and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the
answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who
have not bowed the knee to Baal. Even so then at this present time
also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. But if it
is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.
What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but
the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened: according as it
is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not
see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day. And David
saith,

Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,
And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:
{63}
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see,
And bow thou down their back alway.

I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by
their fall salvation _is come_ unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them
to jealousy. Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their
loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

1. We learn a little more exactly about St. Paul's doctrine of
election in this chapter. God's final purpose for good is, as we shall
see at the end of the chapter--and in what sense we shall have to
consider--upon all men whatsoever. But this universal purpose is
wo