The difference between the advocates for particular and general redemption, observes Mr. Sladen (as quoted by Mr. Cooper of New England) is not about the number that are saved; we both agree in this, that none shall be saved but such as repent and believe, and obey the gospel, and that all such shall certainly be saved; but what we differ about is, the manner of their obtaining salvation. We say, They are saved by virtue of the electing love of God; they say they are saved because they rightly improve their own free will. We affirm them to be saved in such a way as ascribes all the glory to God; the way of salvation which they hold is such, as leaves great room for man to glory. Thus far then our doctrine appears every whit as merciful to mankind as theirs, inasmuch as the difference is not about the number of the saved, but the way and manner of their coming to this salvation. Nay, our doctrine appears much more merciful than theirs who oppose it; for ours makes the salvation of millions of the fallen children of men absolutely certain, while theirs makes the salvation of any man but barely pos

sible the doctrine of our opponents is an unmerciful doctrine, because it is so far from ascertaining the salvation of any, that it makes the salvation of each man a moral impossibility. They suppose the election the scripture speaks of to be only a conditional one, i. e. provided men will repent, and believe, and persevere in holiness; but they will not allow that God has predestinated any to faith, repentance, and perseverance to the end; but that the performance of these conditions depends upon their own will.'

It appears to me unaccountably strange that the doctrine of election, or particular redemption, should be thought in any way embarrassing to a preacher of the gospel. It is not the secret, but the revealed will of God that is the rule of duty. The preacher has, in one view, nothing to do with the hidden purposes of heaven. He is sent to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation to a world that lieth in wickedness; to awaken men to a sense of their guilt and their danger; to evince that they are living without any wellŚ

grounded hope of forgiveness; and that, dying in such a state, they must inevitably perish.

But if men are not to be reasoned with as men, and as sinners; if they are not to be told what is right, how are they to discover their conduct to be wrong? If the law of God is not to be preached in its spiritual nature and extent, how is the sinner to see that he comes short of its demands? for if he be not brought to view himself in a perishing condition, he will never see the need in which he stands of a Saviour; nor till he feel his imbecility and his helplessness, will he supplicate the throne of heaven for assistance. If men are not effectually convinced that by the works of the law they cannot be justified before God; they will never see the necessity there is for the righteousness which he has graciously provided for this purpose, and which is revealed as the ground of faith in the gospel.

If however the preacher be such as need not to be ashamed, the welfare of immortal souls

will lie near his heart. In nothing will he so much rejoice as in the conversion of sinners to Christ. He will cry aloud, and spare not: he will lift up his voice like a trumpet, and shew the people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. He will, as the apostle expresses it, travail in birth until Christ be formed in them. For this he will ardently pray, and indefatigably labour; and though conscious that neither his zeal nor his diligence will of themselves convert one soul; he is neither remiss nor cold in the discharge of his work; but anxious that he may be found faithful unto death; being well persuaded that, in accomplishing the number of God's elect, the means and the end are inseparably connected.

If there be any thing, in the present day, that can give to the faithful ministers of Christ a new stimulus to exertion, it is the wonderful occurrences recently witnessed by the christian world. Who can contemplate the various and extensive missionary efforts-the British and Foreign Bible Society, and other benevolent institutions for the dissemination of religious

208 THOUGHTS ON THE SUFFERINGS, &e.

knowledge, without anticipating something of the blessedness of that glorious day, when the great Head of the church will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea?

I remain, Sir,

Yours, &c.

THE END.