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If, for the redemption of a lost and perishing world, the immutable and infinitely wise God, have 'predestinated a remedy commensurate to the evil;' shall we not say of this remedy as the Lord, by the prophet, said in another case? For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. If therefore all men are redeemed, all must be saved: or the remedy in this case does not prosper in the thing for which it was sent.

But though this sensible writer has, in the above quotation, advocated the cause of general redemption, he elsewhere seems to speak a different language. We think, he remarks, That our blessed Saviour voluntarily engaging to humble himself to become incarnate for us men and our salvation,' and was obedient unto death, the accursed death of the cross, contained the na

ture of a federal condition, on the performance of which he acquired a right of suretyship to give eternal life to as many as the Father gave him to be redeemed.' Now that many cannot be all, but must be exclusive of some, is, I think, pretty evident. If therefore all mankind are in a state of guilt and sinful imbecility,' and only 'many were given to be redeemed;' how is the remedy 'commensurate to the evil?' Can any be saved who are not redeemed?

It may perhaps be questioned whether the views of those denominated by Dr. Williams, Modern Calvinists, are strictly in unison with the sentiments of that eminent reformer. If Dr. Whitaker's statement be correct, they are evidently at variance. If, remarks the Doctor, the real peculiarities of the great theologian (Calvin) and profound reasoner (for such he was) he who gave name to this system, may be permitted to state for himself, they are limited to the following propositions:

That, by a sovereign act of his will, the Almighty did, from all eternity, predestinate a cer

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tain portion of the human race to everlasting hap piness, without any antecedent respect to their future character and conduct.

That, in the fulness of time, he sent forth his son into the world, to offer himself as a propitiatory sacrifice for the elect alone. That, whom he had predestinated to happiness as an end, he predestinated to holiness as a means. That, in consequence, he bestows, with the same limitation, his grace and Holy Spirit, as the instrumental cause of faith, repentance, and obedience upon the elect.

'Next, that grace is efficacious, a softer term for irresistible; whence it follows, that the will of man is wholly passive in the work.

And, lastly that they, who have once received this divine gift, can never fall' (finally.)

Whether this system can be fairly attributed to the eminent Calvin, or not; it is consistent and scriptural: the parts harmonize with each other, which cannot be said of that adopted by those

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whom Dr. Williams denominated modern Calvinists.

That Bishop Tomline's Refutation of Calvinism should have met with opponents, cannot be matter of surprise. On the subject of redemption, some of the respondents differ very little from his Lordship; and so far as that important doctrine is concerned, the best, and indeed the only satisfactory answer I have seen, appeared in the Gospel Magazine for May, 1812, and was written by that venerable minister of Christ, Mr. Rowles. But I must not proceed, except to beg you to excuse the length of my letter, and to say that I am very respectfully,

Yours, &c.

LETTER III.

The law of God exact he shall fulfil

Both by obedience and by love, though love
Alone fulfil the law; thy punishment
He shall endure-

MILTON.

I HAVE, my dear Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favour, in which you request me to be more explicit in giving my reasons for thinking that our Lord was really punished for the sins of those who shall eventually be saved. My thoughts on this subject have long. been before the public, but as they have never come under your notice, some of them shall be included in the remarks now transmitted for your perusal and reflection.

In complying with your request, suffer me to ask what it is that stands in the way of a sinner's everlasting happiness? Is it not the divine law to which he is amenable, and which in a

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