scripture might be fulfilled. This sense, and this only, accords with other assertions of our Lord upon the same point.—" -"Of those that thou gavest me, have I lost none." Scott upon the passage says, "Judas is not mentioned as an exception; but by way of opposition, or distinction." "To sit on my right hand, (says the Saviour,) shall be given to them, for whom it is prepared of my Father." To them, at the last day, he says, "Come ye blesscd of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Such is the origin of their salvation. Of the false teachers of the last days, Christ says, "If it were possible, they would deceive the very elect." "But for the elect's sakes, whom he hath chosen, those days shall be shortened." To the cavilling Jews, Christ said, "Ye believe not, because ye are not my sheep, as I said unto you." Such are the uniform testimonies of Christ upon this subject. And the testimonies of the apostles are in perfect accordance with them. As Christ had said, of his unbelieving elect then among the gentiles, "Other sheep I have, who are not of this (the Jewish) fold; them also I must bring;" so the apostles (and their successors) were sent forth to gather them into the fold of Christ. Paul accordingly said, “I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." And we find this in his history fulfilled, as in the following: "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night, by a vision ;-Be not afraid; but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I have much people in this city." Or, many of my chosen people are now dead in sin, in this city, and by your means must be called in. Of Paul's notable sermon at Antioch, the Holy Ghost testifies, "And as many as were ordained unto eternal life, believed." Let the reader devoutly peruse the 8th and 9th chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, as containing a specimen of the apostolic testimonies to the covenant of redemption. In the Revelation is the same testimony. We are there twice assured, relative to the Roman beast, They that dwell on the earth shall wonder; (in the other passage, "shall worship him,") whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world." 66 Thus, in the oracles of eternal truth, we have the covenant of redemption, which is the foundation of man's salvation. Objections to the views which have been given, are often heard ;-and should be answered. 1. Is not salvation freely tendered to all who hear the gospel? Answer. It is! "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Christ "tasted death for every man." And of the infidels of the last days, it is said; "denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." The divine economy in the plan of salvation is such, as fully accords with a moral government; with the agency and accountability of man; with the offer of salvation to all men; with the obligations of all to receive it without delay; and with leaving all who do not, without excuse. God commands all who hear, to embrace Christ. And nothing prevents, but a voluntary and most criminal opposition. The eternal counsels of God, relative to the salvation of his elect, are attended with no more difficulty, than are his counsels relative to the common concerns of life. Both are equally fixed from eternity. God is able thus to form a moral system; and to govern it as such. He assures man, he has done it. And man is as conscious of the fact, as he is of his own existence. The eternal divine counsels no more interfere with the moral agency and accountability of man; than with the divine freedom. The Most High himself is fulfilling only those counsels, which infinite Wisdom and Goodness from eternity decreed to be done! But surely God is free in fulfilling his eternal and immutable designs. Man is no less voluntary and accountable, than as though no divine counsels, relative to him, had existed. Man ought instantly to embrace Jesus Christ, and to give glory to God in the highest for the salvation which eternal Wisdom has provided! and not, like the cavilling and self-righteous, wish for a salvation not originating in the divine eternal counsels! A salvation without such an origin, is impossible; and can exist only in the wild imagination of the enemies of God. The usual blessings, temporal and eternal, which God confers on man, are obtained by appropriate means, which demand man's attention and diligence. Salvation demands those, in the highest degree. And men who will not piously use them, exclude themselves from salvation. The sluggard who will not plough, may beg in harvest, and have nothing. God promised Paul, (Acts 27,) that all with him in the ship should come safe to land. This event then, was made as certain, as is the salvation of God's elect. But that ship's company had as much to do to gain the shore, as if the event had not been rendered certain. And when the shipmen were 66 about to flee in their boat, Paul said to the centurion, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." The certainty of an event, is not designed to preclude the proper use of means. 2. Why is it not sufficient to say, God elected his people on his own foreknowledge that they would become holy? Ans. God eternally knew that fallen man (dead in sin) would never become holy, unless by divine regenerating grace. The Bible assures us that Christ's seed were chosen before the foundation of the world, not because they of themselves would be holy; but "that they should be holy, and without blame before him in love." Christ says to them, (after they are renewed,) "I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit." This seed of Christ, Paul asserts were predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ: and whom he predestinated, them he also called, or regenerated. God takes the stony heart away, and gives a heart of flesh, and says, "Not for your sakes do I this, be it known unto you!" "Not according to our works; but according to his own purpose and grace that was given us in Christ before the world began.' 3. Does not God assure us, that he is not a respecter of persons? Ans. God assures us that he is a sovereign dispenser of his own gifts. "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?" "I will have mercy on whom I will." God's not being a respecter of persons, has no relation to his bestowment of converting grace on whom he will, of men rejecting his salvation; and leaving whom he will of such, to perish. But it relates to His treatment of the regenerate. God never respects one saint more than another, on account of any worldly distinctions. Peter had supposed God would respect Jewish saints above all others; and that he might not go even to a saint of another nation. But, on being convinced of his mistake, he exclaimed, "Of a truth, I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons! but in every nation, he that feareth God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted of him." But Cornelius here was himself an instance of the divine sovereignty, in his being regenerated, while many of his Roman brethren were left to perish in sin. The argument in this objection has no relation to this subject. 4. But is not this a discouraging doctrine? Ans. When understood, it is not; but is a most encouraging doctrine to people truly convinced of sin. It shows them that God can save such beings as they !—that he has done it; and will do it. Hence their case (guilty, and wretched as it is) is by no means desperate. The gospel invites and commands them to go immediately to Christ. If this is done, this doctrine will never injure them; but will ensure their salvation. So long as they refuse to do this, nothing but this doctrine affords the least hope in their case. And it is no injustice to one rebel, who has forfeited his life, and refuses pardon, that another rebel, of equal demerit, is made willing to receive pardon, and is happy! Without this doctrine, all would be utter despair; no ambassador of Christ would find any encouragement to preach; nor Christian to pray or labor for the salvation of man. denial of this doctrine may please the unconvinced, the proud, the graceless; but it cuts off the hope of the children of God; and points the soul convinced of sin to the world of wo. The 5. But the thought will linger on the minds of many, if this doctrine is true, what encouragement have any to seek salvation, till they know they are of the seed given to Christ? Ans. What encouragement has any man to sow his fields, till he knows God has decreed him a harvest? What encouragement has a drowning man to seize the rope, which is kindly thrown to him, till he knows God has decreed the preservation of his life? Why did not Christ comply with the solicitation of the devil, to cast himself from the pinnacle of the temple? If God had decreed his safety, could he be otherwise than safe? If not, could he be preserved ? So Satan wished that Christ might reason; and so he induces millions to reason. But Christ refuted his base temptation. His true followers will do the same. 6. This doctrine is deep: why is it not best to neglect it? Ans. The being of God, and his works are deep. The plan of man's salvation is deep. "Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh." "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" Shall all these be neglected? The gospel is to be preached, and believed; not because man can comprehend it; but because God has revealed it. This is the Christian faith: the reverse is infidelity. The one is life: the other is death. This life and death God has set before us; and says, "Therefore choose life!" 7. This doctrine has ever been displeasing to the mass of mankind. Ans. The law, and perfections of God, and even the gospel, when beheld in their true light, have ever been displeasing to the mass of mankind."Because the car word of "Not as "If I I yet nal mind is enmity against God.". Must these be denied? Is the pleasure of sinful men, or the God, to be the rule of preaching? Paul says, pleasing men, but God that trieth our hearts." pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." The uncorrupted word is the means of man's salvation. "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth." The commission to gospel ministers is, Preach the preaching that I bid thee. Diminish not a word. In Rev. xxii. 19, we learn that to add, or to diminish, is fatal. Paul says, "Not handling the word of God deceitfully.” "We are not as many, who corrupt the word of God." "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." All such testimonies utterly condemn the denial or neglect of the covenant of redemption, inasmuch as this is an essential article in revealed religion. If no part of the counsel of God may be suppressed, surely such an article as this, may not be. Such |