contains; and unless the evidence this manner. The fair inference then is, the two lists of texts either do not refer to the same thing, or else refer to it in very different senses. Again, In reply, it will be said, that II. If Christ came to fulfil a other passages speak of the uni-design already laid, he knew that versal extent of the death of Christ; his death would be the efficient a ransom for all,—for the world- cause of the salvation of SOME, the whole world-for every man, while others would not be benefitted c. and it may be said, these by it; there can, therefore, be no texts demand as fair a hearing as probability in the supposition, that those before quoted a requisition he should declare his death was too equitable to be for a moment EQUALLY for those who would denied. But that which decides NOT, as for those who WOULD, be the difficulties arising from appa- benefitted by it, rently conflicting statements, is not If we suppose that Christ died so much the individual. interpre-equally for all men, the state of the tation of the passages, as the prin- Heathen must either raise a great ciple of the interpretation. No difficulty, or lower the efficiency one can doubt that the passages of the death of Christ as an atonefirst quoted, point out a certain ment. Besides, let us look at our end which the Lord intended to Lord's own words, when he said, execute, for which he would shed" I know my sheep, and am known his blood, and which was the sal- of mine; and I lay down my life vation of his sheep, his church, for the sheep. And other sheep those who were given him, that he I have which are not of this fold, might give to them eternal life, &c. them also must I bring, and they In this view the words are capable shall hear my voice,' John, x. of a literal interpretation to the 14-16. We observe here, the extent of all they express; but character of the sheep, the other when the general terms, all, the sheep who were then not in the world, the whole world, &c. are fold, but to be brought in, and used, they occur so commonly in the design of the Lord to lay down connections where they are not his life for the sheep: and now, capable of bearing a literal inter- let us calmly ask, can we imagine, pretation, that we cannot suppose after adverting to the particulars of they are designed to be understood our Lord's own statement, that the in their literal acceptation. It is fact is, he gave his life for his stated that Christ died for those sheep, and equally for the goats given him, where the context and wolves, that were of a pershews the security of their salva-fectly different description? tion was the subject in hand; it is On our views of our Lord's cha not stated anywhere, that I re-racter, he knew the plan he came collect, that Christ gave himself a to execute, and he knew also all ransom for the world, for all, for every man, &c. for the purpose of securing the salvation of all, in the same strict literal sense. Nor do those who plead for general redemption interpret the passages on which they build their system in the results. He knew that he came to save some, and that they would be saved. He knew that the others would not be saved. It is hence, in my view, inconceivable, that our Lord should die with the idea of saving all, or of dying for all equally, when he knew that no provision | way of access for the penitent to was made for an equal distribu- seek unto God for mercy, the whole tion even of the knowledge of his death, much less for an equal application of power, and of means to make it effectual. end of the Gospel revelation is practically answered. In point of fact, therefore, the Arminian, and the Unitarian come so near each But this leads us to another ob-other, that there is but a single servation ; step between them. 1 But there is a stronger objection to the theory of general redemption than this, which is, that it does not come up to the proper force of scriptural language. The Church is a purchased possession; the bride, the lamb's wife," whom he loved, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse III. On the plan of universal redemption, as stated by DR. WHITBY, that Christ died as much for JUDAS as for PETER, and hath put all men in a capacity of being saved upon their turning to God, it seems necessarily to follow, that the great effect of the death of Christ is nothing more, than to open a way for the penitent to re-it by the washing of water by the turn to God. word." Could the apostle have Candid and clear sighted men used this imagery with any pre acknowledge that this is a fair tence to accuracy, if the truth was, inference from the doctrine of that Christ himself for every general redemption. It then fol- one else, as well as for those who lows, that in a special and peculiar were his peculiar property, and sense, Christ died for none; for peculiarly the objects of his affeche died equally for those who tion? And when the apostle never heard of him, who never said, "he loved me, and gave knew him, who never loved him, himself for me," did he mean no and who never believed in him, as more than this, that he loved and for the apostle Paul, or any of his gave himself equally for every brethren. other person throughout the whole world? gave The consequence of this theory is, that it keeps out of sight one To mention only one passage prominent end of the death of more; "If any man sin, we have Christ, which is, the application of an advocate with the Father, Jesus the benefits of the atonement to Christ the righteous, and he is the the believer as the ground of his propitiation for our sins;" the JUSTIFICATION before God. For apostle adds, "and not for ours on the view above given, the end only, but also for the sins of the of the Atonement is not the Justi- whole world." These words the fication of him that believes in apostle adduces as a source of conJesus, except in a very figurative solation and hope to the penitent and distant manner, but a mere believer; but does the consolation opening of the way whereby a mean no more than this, that in penitent can obtain mercy. This the privilege now recited, we have feature of the doctrine strikes me no advantage above others, for he very unfavourably. It prepares is equally the advocate and propithe mind for a rejection of those tiation of every man in the whole views of the atonement, by which world? If this be all that the it is peculiarly distinguished. For apostle meant, he most effectually in whatever way-the sentiment is destroyed the force of his own rebrought forward, that there is a presentation. To conclude, it may be said, our view tends to throw difficulties in our way, and prevents us from fully and freely preaching the Gospel to sinners. own soon, therefore, as the advocates for this doctrine begin to state that the grace and power of God attends his word, inclines the mind to hear, renews the heart, and The reply is, it did not in the turns the sinner to God, they are days of the apostles, and it ought off their proper ground; they are not now. The address of the come upon ours; and are pracGospel to men is not founded on tically declaring that they themour knowledge of the designs of selves look beyond their God respecting them; but because system, before in a single instance they are reasonable and account- they can anticipate certain success. able beings, it is right to tell them Finally, it is evident that the what is true, and to endeavour to apostle Paul was not afraid of the engage their attention to what is tendency of the doctrine of Christ's good and this is the means by redemption. On the contrary, he which God leads them to repent- gave it peculiar prominency. He ance and the acknowledgment of says, "Christ gave himself for us, the truth. that he might redeem us from all The advocates of general re-iniquity, and purify unto himself a demption possess no advantage peculiar people, zealous of good over us in consequence of their works." Here the idea of acpeculiar sentiment. They affirm quirement, of purchase, of prothat there is access unto God for perty peculiarly his own, is dispenitent sinners of every descrip-tinctly marked. How can these tion: do we deny this? No; we terms apply "equally" to all maintain it as firmly as they do. men? Yet the end of the whole If we preach the Gospel less car-was, that the purchase of his blood nestly, less freely, and less fully might be purified, and become than they, the fault lies in us, not zealous of good works. Thus the in our system. They will object, apostle uses doctrinal representthat while we preach to men, we ations to produce practical effects. believe that there are many for Let us not be afraid of following whose salvation there is no provi- such an example. Suppose a party sion. To this objection it might of good men, of different opinions be enough to reply, that the point on this subject, had been canvassing in hand does not respect the power it, till they had exhausted all the of Christ to save those who come arguments they could recollect on to God through him, be they ever each side; suppose one of them so numerous; we are therefore not should say, to bring the whole to restrained by the apprehension a point, let us turn it into a prayer; that any may desire to come, who and if he was asked, how this was will find that the power and grace to be done, should reply, that of Christ is not sufficient to save we may be looking for that blessed them. But besides, we retort the hope, and the glorious appearing objection; for general redemption of the great God and our Saviour makes no provision for the salva- Jesus Christ, who gave himself for tion of any one. On their own us, that he might redeem us from showing, it does nothing more than all iniquity; which of them would "put men all in a capacity of being not agree to the proposal, and justified and pardoned upon their close their petition with a hearty turning to God, and having faith Amen? I am, yours respectfully, in our Lord Jesus Christ." As Dec. 1826. MICROS. THOUGHTS ON THE CERTAINTY OF perience many privations, and meet with many difficulties, with TIME is ever on the wing, and which the rich are unacquainted. death is ever nigh! How neces- But he must see death; and if he sary is it that we should improve is found in Christ, it will prove a the former while it lasts, and pre- happy exchange for him. He has inpare for the latter, that we may deed but little to leave behind; his be ready for the awful summons, possessions lie beyond the grave; not knowing when it may come. being rich in faith, he is an heir of The season of the year reminds us that kingdom which can never be of these solemn realities, and moved. On the other hand, the should excite in every individual poor man that dies in his sins, serious thoughts on that interesting whatever troubles, losses, or disquestion recorded in the 89th appointments he meets with here, Psalm, and the 48th verse, "What they are but the beginning of man is he that liveth, and shall sorrows, for everlasting destruction not see death?" What young from the presence of the Lord man is he that liveth and shall not awaits him after death. What see death? Those who are in the rich man is he that liveth, and younger part of life are apt to shall not see death? Riches have place death at a great distance, their use, and when properly apand to suppose that it is time plied, are desirable --but he must enough for them to think about see death; and when the last leaving this world when they are enemy comes he must be stript of old. But who can take a lease of all his treasures, and leave them his life, and say, how long he has behind. "For (saith the Apostle) to live? he certainly will see we brought nothing into this world, death sooner or later, and he may and it is certain we can carry not live to be old. The summons nothing out." And Job speaks to may come while he is in the morn- the same purpose; " naked came I ing of his days, and in the bloom out of my mother's womb, and of youth. Young persons there- naked shall I return thither." If fore should prepare to meet their he has an interest in Christ, a treaGod at the hour of death. What sure in heaven, he will gladly old man is he that liveth and shall leave all behind, that he may posnot see death? To him the ques-sess durable riches; an inheritance tion comes closer still. The days which is incorruptible and undethat are past he can never recall; filed, and which fadeth not away.. and whether they have been im- If the reverse of all this, the riches proved to the best of purposes, he once enjoyed will only aggraor not, in proportion to the number vate his guilt, and increase his of days he has already lived, he misery in a future state, with the has so many days less to live. If keen remembrance," he has rethey have all been spent in sin, he ceived his good things, but now must look upon death with terror he is tormented." What learned and dismay: but if they have man is he that liveth and shall not been spent in wisdom's ways, he see death? There are men learned may expect to meet death as a in the law-men who are skilled friend, and will be able to say, in astronomy, who though they "to die is gain." What poor man cannot number the stars, are able is he that shall not see death? He to give that account of them which may have many troubles here, ex- the bulk of mankind know nothing of, and concerning which many experienced a work of grace in will hardly believe. There are his heart, repented of his sins, bemen who have attained to the lieves in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowledge of Philology, Mathe-walks humbly with his God, and matics, Chemistry, Surgery, Nau-lives devoted to his service, his tical Tactics, the art of war, and happy soul will not be passed by the Classics — but each of these or neglected when it leaves the men must see death, and if this is body, but a beloved Angel will be all the knowledge they have at- sent from heaven to conduct the tained, it will do them but little departing spirit to the realms of good while they are destitute of everlasting bliss. If, on the other the knowledge of Christ and the hand, he dies ignorant of the Gossalvation through him. They may pel, an enemy to God by wicked be highly esteemed by their fellow-works, a despiser of Christ, his creatures, and as far as their know- people and his ways, he will die ledge extends in the different de-in his sins and perish to eternity. partments above referred to, they What gifted man is he that may be rendered useful to the liveth and shall not see death? community: but when death comes Gifts have their use; they will these kinds of knowledge will be make a man shine before his of no avail in the prospect of fellow creatures, and, till diseternity. The apostle Paul, though covered, he will be admired by brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, the real Christian who is incapable desired to know nothing among of searching the heart or knowthe Corinthians "save Jesus Christ ing the motives by which he is inand him crucified." And to shew fluenced. As a member of a the superior excellency of that church of Christ, he may have kind of knowledge, the great Re- the gift of prayer; as a preacher deemer in his intercessory prayer of the Gospel, he may instruct thus expresses himself: This is his hearers, who applaud his life eternal, that they may know talents and admire the ingenuity thee the only true God, and Jesus of his sermons, and sound his Christ whom thou hast sent." To name through the religious world know the efficacy of his blood, with the trumpet of fame! This the value of his righteousness, the living man must see death. And riches of his grace, and the won-whatever gifts he may possess, ders of his love, is essential to the however useful he may have salvation of the soul, and stands been as an instrument in saving connected with eternity, and there- others, if he is destitute of grace, fore as far exceeds all other it is not spiritual gifts, or natural kinds of knowledge as the soul acquirements, or shining talents, is more precious than the body, or a splendid profession, can save and eternity of more importance than time. What illiterate man is he that liveth and shall not see death? While in the present world, he may live in obscurity, move in a very narrow circle, and scarcely be seen or known beyond the neighbourhood where he resides; but he also must see death. If he has him. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then |