if ( &oJiy}fyAf ^=JVa. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. /r*/ SERMONS BY r PITT jtfORsfJ. PASTOR OF THE FIRST INTVERSALIAN CHURCH AND SOCIETY IN WATER' "Omnia explorate: bonuni tenete .** T\ REPI/f "IjECTVRES ON UNIVERSALIS*!: BY JOEL PARKER, rorof the 3d Presbyterian Church, Rochester, WATERTOWN: PRINTED BY woodward & CALH M 1831. t x Northern District of New-York, to wit: BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the fifth day of Augilst, Anno Domini, 1881, Pitt Morse, of the said District, hath de- posited in this office the title of a Book, the title of which is in the words fol- lowing, to wit '.—"Sermons in vindica- tion of Universalism, by Pitt Morse 3 Pastor of the first Universalian Church and Society in Water- town, N Y. 'Omnia explorate: bonum tenete," in reply to ( Lectures on Universalism, by Jod Parker, Pastor of the 3d Presbyterian Church, Rochester;' " the right whereof he claims as Author, in conform- ity with an Act of Congress, entitled an Act to amend the several Acts respecting Copy Rights. RUTGER B. MILLER. Clerk of the Northern district of New-York, ?f a % SKIMIOX I. Uer in at the strait gate: far many I / trill seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Luke 13. 24. Parker's Le< ; nsl Universal ism, form a ran >n. It is an uncommon occurrence ii of talents and intelligence to write :uul publish systematic arguments, designed to i throw i :: Many avail themselves of the ujiitize that glorious doe- . fair investigation or e- \en hearing of it. Within a few years, L. Jieecher D. D. of I -lass, has delivered Lectures a- st Universalkm, in different places, and promis- > publish them ; but has never redeemed his promise. Mr. Parker has certainly had more cour- ban his distinguished New England coadjutor in the defence of the eternity of human misery. I enter most cheerfully upon a full and careful inves- >n of Mr. P's Lectures, because they appear to have been written with ability and some degree 11 dor. He says k< the purity and extent of the law, the em of divine mercy, the glory of divine justice, and t of a future state, were topics ith his" (the Saviour's) mmon discourse." The eternal revmrda of J never mentioned by Jesus ( oy occasion ! Mr P. should have re in substance as Strive to * - g . el dispensation ; (or at a parlicu- ek to enter in, and shall • v strive to enter through the w. When I shall have risen from the shall be abolished, the • ctually shut, and ye (the ; as workers of iniquity, though I have. [[ in your stf ts Then shall the Gentiles, th respect to spiritual privileges) take the place of tin id come from every direction, and sit nsation of gos- , while you, (the Jews) shall be thrust out e Inst shall be first, and the first last. This view of the subject is confirmed by the language of Paul, " blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in : and so all Israel shall n kc. Rom. chap. 11. The expla- i we have given the text, not only appears ^ent, but comports with the opinions of some who believe in eternal misery. Joseph Emerson, rly Pastor of a church in Beverly Mass. writ- llennium saVs, "lam strongly inclined nion of Dr. Hopkins, that of the whole hu- man race, thousands will be saved, to one that is lost. n hrases -'kingdom of heaven" 'mean the £ ipe nsation, 2—1. 17.-12. 28.— 21. 43.— 23, 43.— 16. 16—17. 30. 21. and mn- ' I i lf: proposition Which Mr. P. endeavors to tablish is, some of our race will actually suffer eter- nal punishment." We agree with him respecting "the importance of the subject, and the propriet a thorough investigation." He s; .trine of punishment suited to the demerit of crime, lies at the foundation of all government by law. The i al rectitude of such government, depends upon the proper apportionment of penalties, and an impartial administration : but its power depends upon the de- gree of certainty, with which the penalty is seen to follow the infraction of the law.*' In all this, we a- gree with him, but we think he has laid a sure foun- dation for his own destruction. After referring to instances illustrative of the statements we have quo- ted , he says, "It will be seen from these statements, that the doctrine of future punishment lies at the ve- ry foundation of the Divine government." Why so ? If government is founded on the doctrine of punishment suited to the demerit of crime — if an impartial administration and a proper apportionment of penalties constitutes its moral rectitude — if its power depends on the degree of certainty, with which the penalty is seen to follow the infraction of the law —how does it follow that future punishment, i. e. endless misery, lies at the very foundation of the di- vine government ? Surely it does not thus follow, unless endless misery be the punishment, suited to the demerit of crime. This our author has not at- tempted to prove. To assume it, was to beg the question in dispute. Mr. P. says, "It is the per- fection of this" (the divine) " government that ab- solute certainty characterizes all its operations, and ive think we shall be able to show that there is noth- fur- I ! had i lone. 15 I God < har- ;nent — thai te the doom of trans- law will bo inflict- • " all ha\ . an J I will ne- Mr. . .r.cc for • on another ['age, " the t, i be com- . . v ' But this i n reconciled — be in- v his «and^ :. and they aR' ran- 8 idly increasing. We rejoice that Mr. P. does not consider us "beyond the reach of the gospel;' 5 but if he supposed we have not generally examined our own distinguishing sentiment, or have not decided with candor and impartiality, he was undoubtedly mistaken. The eternal destiny of man is as inter- esting to us as to others — our final welfare is very near our hearts. But Mr. P. was careful to inform his hearers that his lectures were not given " solely, nor chiefly for the sake" of Universalists— but for those multitudes who feel powerfully inclined to re- ject a doctrine of such overwhelming import as that of future and eternal punishment." Overwhelming truly ! "A strong practical conviction of its reality," would banish reason from the mind, or benevolence from the heart of man ! After presenting a sketch of his design in the Lec- tures, he proceeds to what he terms " direct argu- ments for the doctrine of future and eternal punish- ment, drawn from four classes of scripture quota- tions." 1. He says "our first source of argument, is the promises of the gospel. These promises are peculiar in two respects ; they refer to a peculiar kind of blessings, and to a very peculiar character." Strange indeed that the p o nis* of the gospel should furnish argument m favor of eternal p Mr. P. says "The peculiar and distil bles- sings, promised in i j \e gospel, comprise ranee from all sin, ana the bestow ment of eternal happi- ness." This proposition, we admit ; not on account ofwhathehas said to support it, bit because we think it contains the truth, and is susceptible of com- plete confirmation. tl i their ;:; >fmen, termed I The 1 lifollv and cruelty: folly lows wilf be reject ing what will increase the guilt and Table. To say that the gospel eliverance from all n. None can be delivered from sin, /. The gospel does not promise to f, but because they pie from their sins," "I am not come to call the righteous itance." Math. 9. 19. "This ing, and worthy of all acceptation, me into the world to save sin- i I am chief," 1. Tim. 1. 15. "For is come I I will it I be whole a of his rx 10 lion, we quote the language of Paul. "For by grac*: are ye saved through faith ; and that not of your- selves : it is the gift of God : not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship" (not our own) "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephes. 2. 8. — 11. Good works are not the cause, but the effect of salvation. There are two complete answers to Mr. P's posi- tion that "the peculiar blessing, eternal life, is proffer- ed to a defined character, in all the promises of the gospel." 1. The time will come when holiness shall be universal, consequently by his rule, the promises will apply to all mankind. "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father ; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. And when all things shall he subdued unto hvn t then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in a//." 1. Cor. 15. 24—29. 2. Mr. P. has entirely mistaken the nature of the promises of the gospel. "In thee shall %\\ families of the earth be blessed," Gen. 12. 3. "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed," Gen. 22. 18. "In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed," Acts. 3. 25. All nations, all families and all kindreds of the earth unquestiona- bly include the w T hole human race ; and the promise is positive and unconditional. That the promise in- cluded a spiritual blessing is seen by the following,' "And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gos- 11 unto 'Abraham saying, in thee shall all nations be • 1- 3. S. That no lav wlll( .| j in the fulfilment of those gracious pro eived by looking ; ,t Gal. 3. 17. and! [s the law then against the promises of God ! forbid." rtanj matter beyond uhty of doubt, God has confirmed those piom- vVitn an 13 20. "God w,lil ' i the heirs of promise the immufc his counsel, confirmed it c" [sit not a dajing outrage against heaven to deny these promises, or doubt their fulfil- t:t ? similitudes of receiving pupils into schools, ngers into an hospital, and inviting whit to attend divine service, are all irrele- rothe subject, and therefi re merit no reply—. 'overwhelming m n ofa gin]d < {f Hie wild, incoherent vagaries of his own imagination. P. attempts to draw an argument "from of texts, which contrast the future destiny of the righteous and the wicked." He then quotes several text;, winch have not the least relation to his position— he makes no attempt to /wye that theyap- subject— neither does he even mention that U niversalists have shown, or attempted to show, that all th res apply exclusively to the present In this instance, he ha. betrayed ignorance or Had he been unacquainted with the I modern Universalists, he should not have inst Unn uy information, [fjie I & knowledge of those writings, he was guilty of inex- cusable disingenuousness in omitting to notice that his opponents almost uniformly deny the application of every one of the texts he has quoted under this head,to the eternal destiny of men, that they apply them all to the present state of being. The rules of logic would allow me to drop this position here, until some attempt be made to sustain the application he has made of those texts. But perhaps it may be profitable to spend a little time in proving a negative. The resurrection mentioned in the twelfth chapter of Daniel, was to take place at a particular time ;• " at that time" &c. What time ? The prophet Dan- iel was a Jew — to him, the people to whom the sub- ject applied, w r ere repeatedly called "thy people" — i. e. Jews. The time designated in the twelfth chap- ter by the phrase " that time," was called "the time of the end" in the eleventh chapter. End of w T hat? The end of the legal dispensation. See the 31st \-erse of the eleventh chapter where mention is made of "the abomination which maketh desolate," which Christ applies to the Romans, by whom Jerusalem was destroyed at the end of the age. See Math. 24. 15. Daniel says "and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there w r as a nation" &c For the application of this see Math. 24. 21. For the time of the fulfilment of the prophecy of Daniel see Math. 24. 34. " This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." The res- urrection was therefore not literal, but figurative re- lating particularly to the condition of the Jews at the period when their beloved city was destroyed, and they were scattered abroad amongst the Gentiles. — .Waking to • ; but in I Awaking " to shame and i In Jer. 2 . " And I will bring an everlasting rep rpetual shame, which shall n The scriptural meaning of the the I . I taan was Tor an everlasting possession," Gen. 17. ave long since ceased io p ■ • the day of Pentecost, thousands of Je communicated through the !. U the phrase "them that sleep in the dust thought a very strong figur parallel, see the 37th chapter of Eze- where th graves" is used in a similar The same figurative resurrection is doubt- lentioned in the tilth chapter of John's gospel. an account of a resurrection into a future state of the 15th chapter of Paul's first Epistle to v lor. and Christ's reply to the Sadducees, Math, chapter and Luke 20th chapter. In imagination, the harmony ofhei is ipci ; w ith the wail and blasphemies of the damned"— he i Spand, glorious and complete. But •a third i ! i - uhtch afl 14 represent men as in danger of eternal punisnm* On this argument, he quotes but three passages. 1 . "He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation," Mark 3. 29. He says nothing upon this passage, except to ask the following questions, viz. " Now I ask how it is possible that any one should be in danger of eternal damnation, if there be no such thing ? Can men be in danger of evils that do not exist ? In reply, I inquire how is it possible that Mr. P. should have been so blinded by preju- dice as to ask such questions ? How a man, who has a knowledge of the classics, and officiates as a public teacher of religion can make such mistakes, and yet be honest, we know not. If he had looked into hi 1 ? Greek Testament, he would have seen that the phrase rendered " eternal damnation 5 ' is aioniou kriseos, which does not necessarily signify endless suffering. The word kriseos, damnation, is equiva- lent to condemnation or punishment. The word aioniou is equivalent to long, lasting ; or according to scriptural usage, everlasting. Parkhurst in his Greek Lexicon on the words aion and aionios, says, the Hebrew word olim answers as the corresponding word for these two words in the Greek of the se- venty "which words denote time hidden from man, whether indefinite or definite, whether past or fu- ture." Professor Stuart commenting on Micah 5. 1 . says, " the word Kedesh and od, rendered by Turretine, eternity, are like the Greek aion, that also signifies any thing ancient, which has endured, or is to endure for a long period. The question when these words are to have the sense of ancient, or very le, let us I the I "the blasphei v an- [n the 'I their religious instruction, the word oi: \ only not used to signify endless punishment in a future si but was used in relation to things of a temporal na- ture — ohm is rendered by the Words perpetual, t Hasting, forever, forever and ever. " Perpetual statute," i 9. " Everlasting possession," •Thy servant forever," Deut. 15. 17 rever and ever,*' Jer. 7. 7. Letthephrast ternaJ damnation" be considered equivalent to ' erlasting punishment," i. e. a punishment as durable as the nature of tht I admit, and it will fur- no real objection against the doctrine that " the Lamb of God. • -taketh away the sin of the world," out exception. W to th I the . Ghost" 1 in our reply to Mr. issof H* 15. "lest any man of the grace o! out one icfa should jerted, if he meant te any tl — that word is endlessly, l! man grace of I | should be o- d in candor, to admit it as evidence of n riff wo. i ice. — - If Every rational being must perceive there is a great difference between failing of the grace of God, at any particular time, and failing of that grace, finally or eternally. In the present time, every one fails of the grace of God, who does not enjoy it. The next, and only text adduced by our opponent, under this head is, Math. 10. 28. " Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul ; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This, he thinks, " is decisive." But he depends entirely upon prejudice and assertion. 1. It is not clear and indisputable that the object of fear spoken of, in this passage, is God. It does not say God is able jio destroy," &c In verse 17 it is said "beware of men" i. e. those who are not in authority — "for they will deliv- er you up to the councils" &c. In the 31st verse where direct reference is made to God, the disciples were exhorted, " Fear ye not therefore" &c that is, do not fear that God will abandon or finally injure you. If we make the object of fear spoken of in the 2Sth verse, to be the divine Being, how are we to reconcile the two passages ? To whom then does the Saviour refer as the object of fear in the 28th verse ? Probably he referred to the presiding officer of the Sanhedrim, or grand council of the Jewish na- tion. Josephus says "It is here worth our while to remark that none could be put to death in Judea, but by the approbation of the Jewish Sanhedrim, there being an excellent provision in the law of Moses, that even in criminal causes, and particularly where life was concerned, an appeal should lie from the les- ser councils of seven in the other cities to the Su- r. vol. 3, ch. 9, page 151. The Sanhedrim i soul and body in Gehenna lin. 2. Hut if we object at under consid< we do not find il that lie uill " destroy both soul and in hell' — but I 6 bie of up children unto Abraham." — that it was ever his will U) do se,God should "destroy body iu hell" or in any place — then i .!y would remain, either to suffer dng. Soul and body would be anni- Watt "We take it for granted that of annihilation is not here taught. M j there in his taking for granted a mportance ? None at all. If his "de- e" text proves any thing unfavorable to Uni- ism.it must be annihilation; our champion -s wo was so sensible of this, that he not only took it for granted that it did not mean Bu- rton ; but that it did mean endless Buffering ! He also took it for granted that hell is in a future — he has furnished no proof of it. — Ught that hell is beyond the grave. — ! my soul from the • 3 David in this world, or the next. when he us re four diffi in the original lan- guages w ed hell in our English 131— in common Skcol, Hod"?, 18 and Gehenna.* Critics now general!}- agree that neither Sheol, Hades nor Tartarus was ever used hy any sacred writer to communicate the idea of end- less suffering — and therefore should not have been translated hell. But our business at this time is to show the signification of Gehenna, for that is the ori- ginal word rendered hell in the passage which we are investigating. Concerning the word Gehenna, Dr. Campbell says "It is originally a compound of the two Hebrew words Ge, hinnom, the valley of Hin- nom, a place near Jerusalem, of which we hear first in the book of Joshua 15, 8. It was there that the cruel sacrifices of children were made by fire to Mo- loch, the Ammonitish idol, 2. Chron. 23, 6." The Dr's. opinion that Gehenna is used "in the New Testament to denote the place of future punishment" is entirely without evidence. Parkhurst speaking of Gehenna says it is "a corruption of the two He- brew words Ge a valley, and Hinnom the name of a person who was once the possessor of it. This valley of Hinnom lay near Jerusalem, and had been the place of those abominable sacrifices, in which the idolatrous Jews burned their children alive to Moloch, Baal, or the Sun. A particular place in this valley was called Tophet," &c He also says "A Gehenna of fire, Mat. 5, 22, does, I apprehend, in its outward and primary sense, relate to that dreadful doom of being burnt alive in the valley of Hinnom." Cruden says " It is thought that Tophet was the butchery, or place of slaughter at Jerusalem, * See Balfour's excellent f: Inquiry" into the t^igniixcation of those word;?. 19 gods, the king it is prepared The pile thereof is fire, I : the breath of the Lord like a stream it." Oruden further link the name of Tophet is given to the val- re of- of drum, which 1 Toph. It was in this manner statue of arms little forward. ght- within the statue, and another be child they intended fell into the fire at the foot xies, as may i . and rums and the horrid Moloch. We roof that >n» is in this world, in the 2* valley of the son of Hmnom unto the south side of the Jebusite, the same is Jerusalem." For further confirmation of this important truth, see the 7th and 19th chapters of the prophecy of Jeremiah. The word Gehenna is found in the New Testament twelve times only, it was always addressed to the Jews. Nothing is said of Gehenna to the Gentiles. This word is found Mat. 5, 22—30 ; Mat. 18, 9 ; Mark 9, 43—47 ; Luke 12, 5 ; Math. 10, 28 ; Mat. 23, 15, 33 ; and James 3, 6. What now has become of Mr. P's "decisive," text ? When he says God can leave the soul " in sinking, hopeless, dying, agony" — when he intimates that God will do this ; we are induced to ask, do christians worship the true God who is "good to all" — or do they worship a Moloch, burning with immortal vengeance, and pouring the sulphureous streams of never ending wrath on millions of his own creatures ? 4. We now come to his fourth and last class of texts, which, he says, "represents the punishment of some men as remediless." Under this head our au- thor refers to James 2, 13. "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mer- cy." But this is nothing to his purpose, for a man may have judgment without mercy in a certain sense and at a particular time, and yet not be excluded from mercy ever afterwards. The remaining part of the passage to which he referred is, " and mercy re- joiceth against judgment." Mr. P. again refers to the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. See Mat. 12 ; Mark 3, and Luke 12th chapter. His object in this instance is, to show that the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven. It is uld not bi tl at- I • it- "11 shall D« | w • i bim, nein. to come." Incite Lment afow unifies th( \s con- , constitu- aly called •7/)/, mellon, the •■ The world 01 w phrase, and signifies the times ight, Whitby, & r - l ra agree in the the phrases "this world and the world . with the quotations 1 hove made from Lor! ,,!l no t be forgiven him, this won nsation of : neither in the world, uring .'. "He that shall • • • • ' iness, but is in dai ternal damnation," Mark :>, i. e. while a b | :t will be I " . res- in to isl the Holy Ghost . the miracles ' ' ■ .Mi tO "the prince of the devils." That the period will come when all the Jews shall be forgiven is plain, for "ail Israel shall be saved" Rom. chapter 11. Mr. P. next quotes Proy. 29, 1 ; "shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy." But this destruction is not said to be in a future life, nor is it said to be final : what then does it prove ? If the Bible taught endless misery as plainly as our modern preachers do, such passages as that which I have just noticed would never have been quoted by Mr. P. We are then referred to Phil. 3, 19 ; " Whose end is destruction,"' — and Heb 6, 8. "Whose end is to be burned." On these passages Mr. P. says " If it should be said that these texts do not mean the last end of the wicked, the remark is without proof." To which I reply. If it should be said, these texts do mean the last end of the wicked the remark is without proof ! Mr. P. says " As well might we say that Rom. 6, 22 ; ye have your fruit unto holi- ness, and the end everlasting life, means not the last end of the righteous." We grant it. That mankind do enjoy everlasting life through faith, while in this vorld, is perfectly clear ; "He that belie veth on me hcih everlasting life." John 6, 47. We have now carefully examined Mr. P's direct argu- ments from the scriptures, in favor of endless misery ; and if we are not grossly deceived, they have vanish- ed like "the baseless fabric of a vision," leaving not a wreck behind. If eternal misery were sincerely believed, and its "proper influence" felt, the result would be fanaticism, insanity and despair. e past : I all employ a1 lust. \1 from death and sin, Shall iim'roua race, egin, SERjflO?? II. The simple believetk every word : but the pri man looketh well to his going." Prov. 14, 15. It may be very questionable, whether, accord- ing to Mr. Parker "superstition and scepticism" are both " founded in credulity." The justly celebrated Claude thinks superstition usually springs from servile fear, an inclination to idola- try, hypocrisy, or presumption. Scepticism is doubt, indecision or unbeiief. While therefore superstition may be produced by credulity , or easiness of belief; scepticism (or skepticism) ev- idently proceeds from an opposite principle viz. an aversion to believe anv thing. But whatever may be the origin of superstition or skepticism, we agree with Mr. P. that both are evils, produc- tive of much misery amongst mankind. We are pleased to learn that Mr. P. considers it the right and the duty of men to think for themselves, study the word of God, learn its doc- trines and practice its precepts. In the exercise of this acknowledged right, we proceed to exam- ine his second Lecture. He thinks there is too much pretension to free inquiry, and too little exertion in the attainment of the knowledge of the truth. To this senti- ment, we give our unqualified approbation. But we have never before heard it suggested that U- niversalism proceeds from a want of exertion in knowledge of the truth; or that li- nings lined." It may be expected that Mr. I*. has given those 'reasonings,' what he tation. He very just- -•the main arguments in favor of univer- ition arc drawn from four sources. 1. From the justice of God. 2. From the universal goodness of God. i the atonement of Christ. 4. From direct scripture testimony." 1 We shall notice his examination of the ar- guments of (Iniversalists drawn from the justice lod. On this point, he quotes a definition of justice from the chevalier Ramsey, a learned Scotchman, who was born in 1686. This he does on the authority of Dr. Edwards, who wrote nat Or. Chauncey of Boston. Why did Mr. P. go back to an author who wrote a whole cen- tury since ? Was it because the language of that author was more to his purpose, than any thing he could find of a more recent date ? Are not living authors who have wiitten in favor of Uni- versalism, entitled to the notice of such men as Mr. P. ? The definition quoted from Ramsey is the following, "Justice is that perfection of God, by which he endeavours continually to make all intelligences just." Now the truth is, Universalists draw an argument in favor of their sentiments from the justice of God : but that ar- gument is not founded on Ramsey's definition as quoted above. We consider that definition de- We add to it the following. God " is 26 infinitely righteous and just in himself and in ail his proceedings with his creatures. 55 If the jus- tice of God consists in his being perfectly just in himself and also in his endeavoring to make all intelligences just ; how is Mr. P. to evade the force of the argument, which Universalists draw from the justice of God ? It will be per- ceived that all he says on this point, is founded on a definition of justice, which is imperfect, and is not relied upon by Universalists in gen- eral. If the justice of God seeks to render all men just— -if the purposes of God must be ac- complished, will not all men be just ? " Tbe law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good, 55 Rom. 7, 12. A certain lawyer asked Christ rt which is the great commandment m the law ?" Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt lave thy neighbor as thy- self. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets, 55 Mat. 22, 36 — 40. The law of God winch is just, is binding on all moral beings, requires supreme love to God and uni- versal love to mankind, and must be fulfilled. "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be ful- filled." It cannot be pretended that the law is not binding on all intelligences ; for, if not, those sn whom it is not obligatory, would be absolved from their allegiance to God' — they would not be Tespofiiibk beings — for where no law is, there unot be protended, not require thai we should love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as our- for that would contradict Christ, ltcan- Dot be pretended that the law will not be fulfil- led; for that would also contradict Christ. So Jong as there is the least injustice amongst man- kind, the law is not fulfilled in "every jot and tittle." When Christ shall have fulfilled the law by subduing all hearts to himself — by re- moving sin and enmity from the moral creation, we hope Mr. P. will be perfectly satisfied. If it id, Christ fulfils the law for men : we reply, then that law can require nothing more of men, unless it should require something more than to be fulfilled. It is contrary to reason, justice and scripture, to suppose any moral being is exonerat- ed from duty because another being has done his duty. It is as easy to prove from scripture, that Christ will go to heaven for us ; as that he will love God with all the heart and his neighbors as himself for us, i. e. in our stead. Much more might be profitably said on this particular, but we must pass to notice Mr. P's arguments in re- lation to disciplinary punishment. He endeav- ors "to show that justice requires something more than a m [line, intended for the good of the oi 1 Our author contends that " if all punish- ment is inflicted for this end" — i. e. the good of :r save thems .] the punishn -.- Je- I mercy aie ; but ham "Thou v. 1 who /'• abundantly repre* ted J ; on from the the law," be intended d< ist punishment of I he probably did ) th<:i I deny that any $1 timent is taught in the Bible. To deliver a child from the punishment his disobedience deseryes would be to violate the law of the parent. To deliver him from disobedience would be to make him honor and fulfil the law of his parent. " Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins" — not from jus- tice. Mr. P. says "the argument which 1 am now opposing, asserts that all men will be saved, because the curse of the law is only so much pun- ishment as will answer the purpose of salutary discipline and lead the soul to repentance." This is incorrect. The argument he was oppo- sing, asserts no such idea. It docs not pretend that any will be saved " by enduring the lull depend* npon the importance of th« . sacred- S&c. In omitted of the t he cannot a punishi the abu^ ,i0se Iim: Mr. P. says « \nd -ing favor Q) in the i the Presbyterian confess* ibscribed the following senti- ments. "By the decree of God for the mani- festation o^ his glory, some men and angels are tated uuto everlasting life, and otl lore-ordained to everlasting death. These an- md men thus predestinated arid fore-ordain- ed; ularly and unchangeably designed- and their number is so certain and definite that mot be either increased or diminished." Is it weakness, or wickedness— is it ignorance, or ! tmn fiith in such sentiments, and then offer u God's eternal favor 1 ' to all m - w becreatui e an end FMiment." H to this I reply that 38 powers of sinning are not more limited than are his susceptibilities of suffering, ~-hence # there is no more reason why his punishment should not be endless, than there would be if his powers were indefinitely increased." Granted. Let the pow- ers c; the sinner be increased ever so much, if those powers siiil fail short of infinity, he cannot deserve infinite or endless punishment, & an in- finite being,, having no superior, to whom he is in subjection — having no temptation irom without, or within himself, cannot commit sin. Mr. P's. argument therefore fails short of his object. Be- cause sinners live several years in this world without being reclaimed — and we do not deem this an impeachment of divine justice ; Mr. P. says, " God cannot be under any obligation ever to reclaim them — there is no injustice in leaving them to live in sin and misery to all eter- nity." Byt if God should leave them, strictly speaking, they would not live at all ! The sup- porting power of God is constantly required to pre- serve existence. If any part of mankind be eter- nally miserable, God does not merely leave them —he constantly exerts his power to sustain^ and make them miserable. Is there no injustiee in this ? There is positive injustice and cruelty in giving life to a moral being, whose whole exist- ence is worse than nothing. God certainly knew the final result of every creature's existence. The most malicious being could do no worse than to cause iife with the positive knowledge that it would be perpetuated in endless agony- The justice a§ well as goodness of God forbid our as- conduct to him. Mr. I ) much lik< if a man can live comfortably without rs! II- says "If ;tice reqi alvati< n, and no i'< and no deliverance from tin igb Christ." This would or mercy were opposed to justice — il were a liberation from jottponii -if deliverance from the curse e a deliverauce from the penalty due in. But we have already shown that justice harmonize — forgiveness does not liber- ate die sinner from ajust punishment — & deliver- ance from the curse of the law may consist in a from sin — consequently from the s denounced against sin. Mr. P's con- clusion is therefore incorrect. Let us examine the design of punishment. If punishes, he must design it for the good, or "jury of his creatures, i. e. if he has any i concerning it. If he has no design, why he administer it ? To say that God punish- t the ultimate injury of his creatures is to >e to him disgraceful mahgmtyl That God punishes for the e;ood of his creatures is t! ie most ith his perfections and his word "No-A or the present seemetn to <>vous, but grievous nevertheless altei wards, Ideth the peaceable fruit of righteous unto them which are exercised thereby." Hi I ' •10 2. Mr. P. takes notice of the argument in favor of Univer'salism drawn from the universal good- ness of God. On this point, he introduces the name of Doctor Chauncey, and quotes enough to fill about ten lines in his small book, from Chauncey's introduction. The amount of what he has quoted is, that some generally received doctrines should be renounced — and others, more honorable to God and more comfortable to man ? should be received — that it is difficult to recon- cile the doctrine of endless misery with the per- fection of the Deity. Will Mr. P. pretend this was the amount of Dr. C's. argument ? He will not. Why did he introduce Dr. C's. name at all, unless to show that he had heard of it through Dr. Edw r ards ? * Mr. P. might as well have omitted Dr. C's. name as to quote from him no more than he has. I hope he did not mean to give the intimation that Dr. C. had said noth- ing more conclusive than that quotation. Mr. P. has also introduced the name of Whiston and quoted the following from him, i: this doc- trine (eternal punishment) supposes God to de- light in cruelty." We suppose he meant William Whiston, the translator of Josephns, the author of a new theory of the earth, the successor of * About the middle of the last century Dr. C. was pastor of the first Congregational Church in Boston Mass. He possessed strong powers of mind and was led into the belief of Universal ism by studying the scriptures. In 1784 he published a learned and laborious work in favor of Uni ver- balism in London A\ «!*> J)! < appear t' His mind seems to have been in \\ P. has quoted from Mr. \V. :pt to show that tl I eleruo 1 - not suppose Col to delight i He appears to have studied i through the medium ol out a cei would hav e beeD profitable ition to mc re modern am' to the "reasonings just gone % the r< is much confidence as Mr. P. could done. Of the correctness of i. reasonings, the reader must judge. We do Lot admit that " si some men to endless misery. re do not plead for an unjust salvation. Mr. P. makes one excel- lent remark viz. u ju >tent with sjoodnes- . e never required the » lisery of tl ) are to be saved. e cannot conceive tha: i tier- ing. We m . jd is gtod that we cannot conceive he will permit any real * See Modern Hist. Univ. j>. 104. 42 suffering in the universe : for if he can admit it for a day, a year, a life, he .may on the same principle, an hundred years after death, and then another, and so on without end." According to this argument, if it is consistent with goodnes: to amputate a limb for the purpose of restoring a man to health and usefulness ; it would be con- sistent with goodness to hew a man to pieces till death should result from the operation ! Since Mr. P. has not attempted to show that the eternal misery of some part of the human race will be for the greatest good of the universe, and has intimated that if Universaiists can show that the good of the universe requires the hap- piness, of each individual, the argument from divine goodness will " amount to something" — it may be advisable to attempi such proof. We would not exclude u an eternal exhibition of di- vine justice;"but we would exclude an eternal ex- hibition of positive cruelty from the administration of Jehovah. The whole universe of intelligences is composed of individuals,and the highest happi- ness of the universe, requires the greatest possi- ble happiness of each individual composing the universe. To say God cannot make some as happy without, as with the misery of others,is to found the happiness of heaven upon the misery of bell, which would probably suit the feelings of a real savage ! It would not only limit the " Holy one of Israel" to certain means of produ- cing happiness ; but would look very much like petitio principii, begging the question in dispute. It would be as absurd as to say God is the creator :\ individual ' T the universe to consist of ial beings ( nl\ , each capable of receii I ment To product the ity of the ten, five hundred I fifty ich. Any thing short of this, would nut be ten. If it be live hundred joyment on condition that the other should he perfectly miserable, then the good and the greatest possible ole ten, are one and the same ! Be- | ossible good of the whole \<*ith the perfect misery of one half --then tl ible evil of the whole woui it with the perfect happiness D€ half ! Mr. P- in rep^y to the following, " It would not b like a father on earth, if God were to doom sinners to endless torment," says " Is i on earth, to inflict the temporal calamities which God often brings upon the chil- dren of men:" He then speaks of poverty, shame sickuess, loss of reason, death, drown- ing, burning Sic. He says " What would you think of me if I should present such a strain of marion, to prove to yofi that God never does 'lainities on men ? Yet the argu- ment would be just as good for the purpose,* as it is to prove that God will not indict eternal pun- ishment upon some part of mankind." No prin- Icarer than this ; viz. an earthK 44 rent will subject his child to any suffering which he is certain will be beneficial. No good parent will inflict any degree of misery upon a child for any other purpose. Why does not an earthly fa- ther consign his children to poverty, shame sick- ness, loss of reason, an afflicting death, drown- ing in the ocean, or perishing in flames? Be- cause he is not able to produce any benefit to the child from such treatment. But will Mr. P. presume to say God can produce no benefit from every event of his providence towards every crea- ture he has made ? Will he charge God with positive cruelty towards any dependent being ? Will he say God unfeelingly inflicts an endless injury upon any creature, and thus disregards the principle on which all good parents act ? Certainly there is a very wide difference between any temporal calamity, even the keenest distress which shall terminate, and never-ending agony which necessarily excludes its subject from all possible good. But if all temporal misery shall be succeeded by imperishable enjoys eat, the boundless goodness of Almighty God shall burst forth upon a joyful universe in an un decaying blaze of tmclouded glory ! Goodness delights in communicating happiness. If the goodness of God is infinite, it embraces all beings — if un- changeable, it will ?lways continue — if directed by perfect wisdom, it cannot err — if accompa- nied by almighty power, all its designs must be accomplished. " The Lord is good unto all and his tender mercies are over all his works" Ps. 345. "His mercy enduretb forever" Ps. 107, id would ■•, who should, by -n he en | daring the whole of his existence. what Mr. P. says cou- thc atonement. H'e concedes that has made an atonement for all men." In co on of this, he quotes several passa- mch us, Christ u gave himself a ransom for all — is the propitiation for our «ins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" ice. He then asks, " does this univer- sal atonement secure the salvation of all man- kind :" Let it be distinctly understood that U lo not contend that Christ saves men . the curse of the law in any other way than eiing them from their sins — we do not pretend "that men will be saved by enduring" any curse, but by the grace of God, therefore in the argument which we draw from the atone- ment of Christ, we do not give " up the ground a salutary discipline is the whole curse of the law — that sinners may surlier all that the law- requires in a limited time — that God would rot be good (i. e. universally good) if any be lost," [r. P. affirms. We give up no argument :o the system we maintain, by advoca- ting tl »rsality and etfh iency of the atone- ment of Christ, and it was a manifest misrepre- tion, on the part of Mr. P. to say we do thus give up t\\^ men! being made for all, will be all in due time. P. to reconcile Lis statement dened reprobate as humble penitent with his own con- well as he can. That confession e any other redeemed by Christ, un!, v ca jtified, adopted, sanctified but the elect ou?3 . Mr. P. Jays bttt. Faith may justly be tlted christian virtue productive : joy. But why d'd he keep the rian view of faith out of sight " The v of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to eve to the saving of their souls,is the work of the spi.it of Christ in their hearts" & c . See ^ion of Faith." Now if the spirit of Christ works faith in the hearts of some sinners and not others, arc all sinners treated alike? defined to be the exercise of the i and feelings— but it can never create nor - 1 ) fr«* < the human race w ' 11 De ' serable, and if those who lould nave a cor- ject, tficy would believe in y for themselves ! If they should in Christ, it must be by the power of ion ! God has, or has not given etern- .: 48 life to all men in Christ If he has, ail must be brought to the knowledge and enjoyment of eter- nal life. If he has not, there is no truth on the subject, for every individual to believe which can possibly be of any benefit. Mankind are often urged to believe, without being told what to believe. Should any one believe the sun remo- ved from the solar system ; his faith would not alter truth. " What if some did not believe ? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God with- out effect? God forbid/' Rom, 3, 3. It is just as certain that God "is the saviour of all men" (1, Tim, 4, 10) as it would be if all men were now saved — or now believed. u The wrath of God abideth" on unbelievers ; but if it abide on them eternally, there would be no hope; for all have been unbelievers. Mr. P. quotes Gal. 5, 2, " if ye be circum- cised, Christ shall profit you nothing." But the apostle was evidently contrasting the gospel with the law of Moses. Why should Christ profit nothing? Answer. " For I testify again to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law," verse 3. While any one trusted in the law of Moses Christ was of no avail ; but it was not even intimated that any should eternally trust in the Mosaic law. Mr. P. also quotes from Paul's Epistle to the Cor. lest through their example u the weak brother perish for whom Christ died." What are we to think of a man who will quote such texts to prove endless misery ? "The righteous perisketh and no man Jayeth it to heart" Job, 57, 1. Does blind ai him be an leaves i f . By th the . P. undoubtedly m< g of Christ, v» Our principal objection to this ton- :ion is, that it makes Paul contradict him- Speaking of an excommunicated person, " to deliver such a one unto i, that the spirit maybe day ot the Lord Jesus'' 1 Cor, 5, 5. thema is a Svriacword that signifies accursed parated. That this word does not signify less misery is plain from the circumstance Paul applied it to himself Rom, 9, 3, and e?er yet wished himself endlessly mis- erable. They who loved not Christ were ana- tkama separated from believers, because they deprived of the privileges of christian fef- atha is a syriac word which sig- B the Lord is coining. According to Chry- • m it means the Lord is come aln Wakefield renders thi> passage thus u II any not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him L^' sep'a- i from you. Our Lord is coming." V. coming was intended ? Doubtless that mentioned Tames 5, 8. " The coming of the Lcrd to des- q, and t« ke op- B positive will of Christ that blind- rt should happen to Israel, until the ful- >£ the Gentiles he come in, and " so all Israel ," Rom, 11- ; < For as the rain - from hea rneth rth, and makel i and bud, that it may give se< id to the eater ; s y word be ioTth out of my mouth : it shall not re- sroid, but it shall accomplish that which md it shall prosper in the thing whereto I 10, 11. Will Mr. P. affirm rod will return unto him void and cessful, notwithstanding this t estunony ? If so,. lict the divine word. it is not the positive will of diets the Apostle P ve in th( rf the will o; | question Lastly Mr. P. quotes 1, Cor, 10, 20. i: For. as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." All he says on this passage is the following. " This whole chapter is taken up with an argument for the resurrection of Christ's disciples, drawn from the resurrection of the Saviour himself. Neither the salvation of saints or sinners is hinted at in the text — the text plainly speaks of the resurrec- tion of the body and nothing else." If assertions prove any thing, this passage was very speedily dis- posed of! According to this, there is no evidence in the 15th of first Cor. that any will rise from the dead, except Christ's disciples — nothing is said of salvation, nor of any thing else, except the resur- . rection of the body ! According to this, even, the disciples may be endowed with bodies, without be- coming the subjects of salvation ! The fact is the 15th chapter of first Cor. contains direct evidence of the resurrection, incorruption, glory, power and spir- itual life of the whole human race, and Mr. P. thought it advisable to pass it over as lightly as pos- sible. " As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." There are various opinons con- cerning the nature of the death, or deaths, which mankind died in Adam. But if this text is true all will be made alive, in Christ even so, or in like man- ner, as they died in Adam. If they died spiritually or naturally in Adam or the earthly nature, they will be made spiritually, or naturally alive. They cer- tainly did not die eternally in Adam, because there is no evidence of this in the bible — and if they har- died eternally, there would have been no possibility of their being" made alive in Christ. Will Mr. P« dmajf ill in all, ■ ! but i er ho H * all tho mai .it (of \ mg been satisfied that many reh- hold to contradictions, but we verily thought from this charge, rela- | rincipal arguments ; and we think so y one of supposed contradic- man of straw which L :. I - eternal pui ment, and that none can or will be delivered rve. It has never vet been .shown \\\g more than meu bly be true that the ] ?serves eternal punishment , and we will listen to it. No I that the sinner • -fitly then trtunity » rcise of divine mere believe goodi tent " with inl loes not say, that penalty tot deny that an contrary as uuu will receive forgiveness ; but we do not believe forgiveness does violence to the demands oi justice. Where now are Mr. P ? s supposed absurdities or contradictions of Universalists ? The creations of his own fancy — they do not exist. But lest he should amuse himself with imaginary contradictions only, we will present him with something real. The catechism which he professes to believe teaches the following, " all mankind by the fall lost com- munion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself and to the pains of hell forever." Here all mankind are declared under the endless wrath and curse of the Almighty. The very next question in that same catechism is, " Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery ?" Answer " God having out of his mere good pleasure from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the es- tate of sin and misery, 8f to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer." Here it is declared that God from all eternity, elected to everlasting life, SOME of the same race of beings, who had ALL been just declared under his never-ending curse ! ! ! O let the mantle of divine charity enshield the er- rors of mortals — and let all flesh trust in the Lord Jehovah, in whom is everlasting strength. SERMON III. in mine heart , and the year of ny redeemed is come" Isa. 63, 4. In his discourse from this text, Mr. Parker en- r ors to draw an argument from the Providences -latory of the doctrine of eternal mise- : . "we do not rely upon an argument drawn from Divine Providence to prove the doctrine of eternal punishment — we produce it only to con- firm a doctrine which we have shown in our first lecture is taught with great explicitness in the scrip- . " To this I reply : if I am not greatly deceiv- ed, I have incontestably shown in my answer to his first lecture — that he entirely failed to exhibit any ev- idence of eternal punishment from the scriptures. — Whether I have refuted his first lecture or not, I leave to be decided by the candid of all parties, who may examine and compare what we have both writ- ten. But being willing to give Mr. P's confirmato- ry evidence all the weight to which it is entitled, I shall briefly notice his principal arguments. In his introductory remarks, he says, Christ "as- sure the most unexceptionable moralist, who is yet destitute of true piety, that he cannot escape the dam- nation of hell " But why did he not refer us to the passage which contains such language ? Perhaps he thinks the New Testament contains that sentiment, but wc assure him he cannot find it. How long will for a controversialist to understand the dif- by ference between assertion and evidence or argument? If a public speaker be allowed to assume all his premises, what may he net establish ? A Mahome- tan, Pagan or Jew might be as successful as a Calvin- 13- in establishing his doctrine by assertion. If "the most unexceptionable moralist cannot escape the dam- nation of hell,'* in the sense Mr. P. would have us understand that phrase, what encouragement is there to be moral ? Or rather what is the objection against being immoral? If Universalism leads to practical wickedness, as Mr. P. contends in his fourth lec- ture, what injury can it do to the world if " the most unexceptionable moralist" will be as likely to suffer eternal misery as though he were ever so abandon- ed ? Will those clergymen who frequently seem to undervalue morality, directly avow an intention to make men immoral ? Do they wish to have it un- derstood that they practice what they preach ? If not, why do they use expressions which indicate that morality possesses no advantage over immorali- ty ? It has been well said that " Morality compre- hends only a part of religion ; but religion compre- hends the whole of morality.', Moral obligation is eternal, and is of the utmost importance to man, ' as a rational and social being. Morality relates to the relations which subsist between man and man. It is both theoretical and practical. The theory of mor- als relates to the explanation of the relations which subsist between rational creatures. The practice of morals relates to the faithful discharge of those obli- gations and performance cf those duties which result from the circumstances in which we have been pla- ced by our Creator* IJnexceptignable morality is ' ' ■■' part hal] know tance: iminations would t | to make n an- tly would the cause cl The must unex- i stlVw of true pie- \ y think t 1 ion implies an morality can- . : for unexceptionable i iii motive — ce. Any thing short of this is not and a correct theory — moth ractice constitute true piety. "Fear ind keep his commandments ; for this is the • duty of man;" Eccl, i2, 13. 1 r us to determine why God of his creatures. The idea r. P. that God takes unmerciful ven- it sinful being, »tory direct!) opposed t holy v rrai!- emies 'hem ; ho has ev- i notion so abominable. But why pose? The people of God, the righteous, are sinners, a* well as those, who are sometimes styled the ene- mies of God. If one class are mercifully punished, why should not the other class be mercifully punish- ed ? The wisdom from above is without partiality, but Calvinistic wisdom is eternal partiality ! The principle on which God deals with his enemies is clearly and beautifully illustrated by our Saviour, who, speaking of God says "he maketh his sun to shine on the evil and on the good, anc' sendeth rain on the just and unjust." But how does the sublime prophet Isaiah explain this subject ? Hear him. "Be- hold, your God will come with vengeance; even God with a recompense, he will come and SAVE you"— -not send you to an eternal hell. A good earthly parent corrects only to reclaim, and is not God as good as earthly parents? Any pun- ishment which prevents the reformation of the diso- bedient, or perpetuates criminality , must be opposed to the law of God. Endless punishment therefore, is entirely inadmissible. " Thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions" Ps 99, 8. All the vengeance (Jod takes of signers is compatible with forgiveness —rail the punishments he inflicts are remedial — and worthy of a Being possessed of unbounded perfec- tion and unchangeable love. Mr- P. labors to establish the following proposi- tion viz. "when Christ bestows signal blessings inoon his church he does at the same time execute signal judgments upon his enemies." But will he not ad- mit that if the subjects of blessings and punish- ments, whom ho m*nt\QT&&ho\\\i ctangecirtmiston-* he conduct of God lovi aid vary accordinq to those circumstances? specter of persons. If it would thus vary, HO inferences unfavorable to the final con- i of any, can he justly drawn from the varying nsations of divine providence towards individu- • iv — for (fate variations are exactly suited to audition of each — to the circumstances of all. Mr. I " God is now acting upon a principle h exhibits alike, an Intention to show mercy to I to punish others. This principle, we have ve will exist in the divine govern* 1 therefore the providence of God, s, confirms the doctrine of future and d punishment. How much dependence can be d upon that reasoning which is founded on anal- will be seen in our sequel. Mr. P. says " It • ntial to the very nature of a moral government, that there should be first a moral constitution of crea- , rendering them fit subjects of government ; then laws adapted to this constitution ; and last of all, a righteous distribution of rewards and punishments." In all this we are happy to agree with him exactly. n he says " and though we possess a nature 1 to obligation, and were placed under laws, yet obligation would not be felt, nor laws become efficacious, only in so far as their penal sanctions were apprehended as fired and absolutely certain. The whole force of the divine government therefore depends upon the visible certainty of rewards and punishments. " Here again we agree with him : out we think he did not mean what he said — if he a believer in universal damnation ! He be- 64 jiev^s the penalty of the divine law is mse- r y — he now makes the whole force of the divine government rest on the certainly of rewards and pun- ishments — the penal sanctions of the law aiu u ji and absolutely certain!" Wo, wo, wo, then, be to Mr. P. and the whole race of sinners! He says, " Solomon was led to expect a future judgment from the fact that wickedness was not al- ways punished in this life." To prove this he,quotes Eccl. 3, 16, 17 ; " I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there : and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there ; I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked." Did Solomon say, wickedness is not always punished in this life ? No. Did he say, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, not in this life, but beyond the grave ? No. Then Mr. P. has misrepresented the sentiments of Solomon. • He al- so quotes from 2d Peter, 2d chapter; "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." We presume he would have us- take it for granted that the day of judgment spoken of, is beyond death — in the invisible world. But as that idea is not contained in the text, we need not give it any further attention. We- shall pass lightly over many of the particular events of Divine Providence, to which Mr. P. has referred ; because according to him, those events a- mount to nothing in favor of his sentiments, unless they exhibit "a principle which will prevail co-exis- tent with the moral government of God." Wheth-, er this be the case or not, we shall see hereafter [osaick dis quotes from Isa til ; l< The snir God I ecausc t: I I ited me to h good tidings unto the r..ee ; > ith sent me broken hearted, to proclaim liber; .lptives and the opening of the prison to them re bound ; to proclaim the • ar of Lord, and the day >f our God.'' Why did he not quote the remaining part of the s6a- i fforas M vengeance of our Gud" seem o grateful to his feelings, that he over- i the remainder of the sentence, which reads thus : "to comfort all that mourn, to appoint unto that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty the oil of joy for mourning, the garment ot.' praise for the spirit of heaviness ; Jict they might ht f righteousness, the planting of the Lord, tha' he might be glorified." In Luke we are ned that Je^us "came to Nazareth* • • • and stood read. And there was delivered unto nino >ok of the prophet Isaiah. And- • • -he found the place where it was written, the spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preaclh gospel to the poor : he hath sent me to heal the n hearted, to preach deliverance to the captive^ and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book and gave it again to the minister and sat down" Is it to De pre- sumed that Jesus omitted any essential part of that text ? Most certainly not. Then the vengeance of ( VI" mentioned by Isa. is nothing incompatible with the manifestation of grace. to the objects of that vengeance. After Jesus had read that interesting passage, and had spoken of irs . fulfilment " all bare him witness, and wondered at the graci which proceeded out of his mouth." There was nothing ungracious or unmerciful in the passage which he read. Mr. P. has made, another very important omission in quoting from the third chapter of Malachi. " Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me : and the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant whom ye de- light in : behold he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. But who may abide the day of his com- ing ? And who shall stand when he appeareth ? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap." Here Mr. P. stops. He had quoted all which would coincide with his sentiments. But the next verse reads, " and he shall sit as a refiner and puri- fier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may of- fer nnio the Lord a> offering in righteousness^ The similitudes used in this passage are clear and beautiful. A refiner's five is designed to remove all dross and prepare the precious metal for use. As Mr. P. will not admit the fire of hell to be purify- ing, he must allow this to be the fire of heaven. Fuller's soap is used not to destroy, but to cleanse the cloth. So Jesus the glorious messenger of re- deeming grace, shall refine human nature from the dross of sin by the fervency of the spirit of im- mortal love — and cleanse all mankind from all ini- quity " that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. I rem- v - I i, with • 1 with i ire A nera- irthly fly. On the •i the glo- id of considerii g "< v- fruit" tj Mg- g, or im- t.,"'th • hiN puiy- iu: nner of iculturalist wheat on ot! m by itself? Such a supposition is uo more absurd than to say wheat means one class of men, and chaff means another class of men. If saints are represen- ted by wheat, and sinners by chaff— then all the wheat there is, was once chaff ! Moreover, such a supposition implies that saints are sinless ; is this according to matter of fact ? When chaff is burnt up, it no longer exists — and whatever this represen- tation may mean, it cannot inculcate the idea, of endless suffering. The truth is, every kernel of | wheat is enveloped in chaff and every individual is afflicted more or less with the chaff of wickedness, which nothing but the unquenchable fire of heavenly purity and love can totally destroy. "For our God is a consuming fire," Heb. 12, 29. " The sinners in Zion are afraid ; fearfulness hath surprised the hy- pocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the de- vouring fire ? Who among us shall dwell with ev- erlasting burnings ? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hand, from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil : he shall dwell on high ; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks ; bread shall be given him ; his waters shall be sure." Isa. 33, 14, 16. Mr. P. says, " The Lord is appropriating the sil- ver and gold, and the moral energies of his'people to the enlargement of Zion," &c When Jesus sent forth his disciples to preach, he said unto them, "Pro- vide neither gold, nor silver , nor brass in your pur- ses," §t. Now, our Bible Societies must beg mon- ey to enable them to print bibles to sell--- yes they * .111 .' ren i >nari< s id in mini . rchandize ! i thus " Every i >nary ocean, on which flow to the islands • arth before all I penny," &c. hich Ministers n ust sail," is j ! How is all this cash to be jars, like frogs in k\\u\ — work upon the ture — perplex with their kn- it out our substance' — and collect cr sil- every thing else down to rags ! and land ," will Vr ips an idol any e banian race that is in brothers eye, but considorest not the beam that is b thine own eye ?" The denunciations of God for the sin of Qur primitive parents — the punishment of Cain— the destruction of the antediluvian world, and the cities cf the plain — the overthrow of the Egyptians at the Red Sea — the extermination of the people of Cana- an — the death of Annanias and Sapphira — the demo- lition of the walls and temple of Jerusalem, and the slaughter of its inhabitants — the wars in Europe at the period of the reformation, and in all parts of the world to this time — are merely te?nporal mise- ries. Mr. P. does not pretend they are any other than temporal calamities. Referring to those events he says, " here observe, that in all these temporal judgments, there is not the least intimation that they are intended as disciplinary — or that* they were in- flicted to promote the good of the sufferer." Sup- pose we admit this statement. Neither is there In all those temporal judgments,the least intimation that they were not intended as disciplinary — that they were not inflicted to promote the good cf the sufferers. What, then, has Mr. P. gained by his statement ? Any judgment inflicted on any sinful being, which is not designed for the good of that being, especially where the judge possesses ability to promote the good of the transgressor, results from malevo- lence — is revenge — and black-hearted cruelty ! This is the particular which distinguishes justice from crw- elty. Pure justice is holy ; but cruelty is the ex- treme of wickedness. What is cruelty, if it is not the infliction of torture, without designing the good of the sufferer ? If the believers in endless misery • • ighty, f - u 'y would bide I Father, tor i !" t Mr. P, ig in sayin is BO in* timation that the judgments to which he r ferred ae sufferers. We will notice >r i oJ the most hop es be lias mentioned — the d< struetion of the inhabitants of Sodo ] i. In the 16th'chapterof the prop 1 . t./ekiel, we have the following lan- guage. " Behold this was the iniquity of thy r SoJom, fulness of bread, and abundance ot idlene - o her and in her daughters nei- ther did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before nc ; therefore I took thera I saw good." God always acts for the good of all his creatures: he does not act for ^ood of Presbyterians at the expense of all others ! If the Sodomites were taken away for their sins — and if they continued to be as sinful e they were taken away — no good was done by taking them away. " For the pun- gent of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of »iesin dom, tLatwas overthrown >sin a moment, & lo hands tayed on her," Lam. 4. 3. This passage represents the punish;.. xlorn,to be sudden and dreadful, but speedily terminating) "no hands stayed on her." To this * iew of the subject, it may be objected, that Jude says, " Even as Sod- id the cities about them in like manner • are set forth for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." How were those cities set forth as. an example, if their greatest sufferings were in a world, to us, entire- ly invisible ? According to this supposition, they would neither be an example to sinners in this world — nor would they be set forth, or manifes- ted for the benefit of others. How were those cities set forth ? "And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord : and he looked towards Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace," Gen 19. Those cities were in this world — they were over- thrown in this world— the fire that destroyed them was in this world, and was called eternal, because it continued, "according to some histori- ens, thousands of years. Having as we believe, devoted sufficient time to the examination of the substance of Mr. P's third lecture ; you will please to take notice that the whole force of that lectu/e rests ipon rea- soning drawn from analogy. Ivlr. P. says, " the providence of God, so far as it goes, confirms the doctrine of future and eternal punishment." Of ai] arguments, those drawn from analogy are the most unsatisfactory , inconclusive aud uncertain. However, this mode of reasoning is as good for ine, as hv Mr. P. Here we will meet — his o- verthrow or mine must be complete. Why does he think the Providence of God confirms his sen- timents? Hear him, "Godr dug upon I k! to pui rKjji have reason to believe, will ex- iment forever, cud therefore tIlc i I Mhe doe- 1 eternal puuishn The is, because God does a do it, because at pua- > will punish some. , Mr. P says, "God is uncban- nciple of a< Lion which is at one time with !'im, is eternally consistent." On s, "the government of God, so fai | ir. tlii". world, is incomplete; not here ret. dared (o individ- t now admit, either, that his nee of eternal misery amounts to nothing; or, that strict justice never mil be ren- / •, and the government of God *M I plete — for "God is unchan- geable— a principle of action which is at one time istent with him, is eternally consistent !" Will he say, the government of God is, and al- will be, incomplete, so that no rational be- ence in it — or will head- on of eternal punishment it all r ^ e object to Hi P.'s premises, as well as to >ning. We think it would be he truU; ' God is now acting upon a pi h exhibits alike an inten- o punish all sinners justly, and to ehowtmer- 'on ?\l mankinds -"fox God hath concluded 74 them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy Upon all;" Rom. 11,32. This principle, we have reason to believe will exist in the divine govern- ment forever, and therefore the Providence of God, so far as it goes, confirms the doctrine ot iuture, universal holiness and happiness. Every rational being is miserable in proportion to his sinfulness — "there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." Isa, 57, 12. Every creature t bat lives, receives favors from that great and glorious Being, who is the origin of existence — who "is good to all and hit L-nder mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee." Ps. 145. After speaking of the triumphant death of the believe r } Mr P. says "But you have seen no such sustaining hope; no such triumphs from any source in those who have rejected the precious Saviour, and relied upon the justice or goodness of God, without faith in Christ." If he designed to rep- resent the opinion of Universalists in the above sentence, he misrepresented us — we have not re- jected the precious Saviour — we have not relied upon the justice or goodness of God, without faith in Christ. If he did not mean to represent the faith of Universalists, what did he mean ? As to any exclamations at the hour of death, suffice it to say, no person's opinion is any certain evidence of truth, whether he be sick or well — sane or in- sane — in the middle, or at the conclusion of his mortal career. And as all exclamations are the result of opinions, or impressions, no stress should be laid upon them as evidence in favor of, or a- griast any sentiment fment will be iv — a flood of I I But the ark i pj.^ o escape. Does the Qto the ind endh 88 swel- • difficulties in the into the ark, and ould rvoose t< >>le ruce of sinners sbould Presbyterian ark of safety, what would bo the consequence ? Horribile (Hctu ! — 'ions for the d, they would instantly ier! From such phe ; may God in intinite mercy save all people ! SER9ION IV. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit : but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." — Math. 7, 17. It is an unquestionable fact, that the great di- versity of religious opinion, prevalent in Chris- tendom, causes much perplexity in the minds of many, who sincerely desire a knowledge of the truth. The advocates of each peculiar tenet, speak with all the confidence, which is inspired by a fall conviction of possessing the truth. — Learning, ability and plausible arguments appear in vindication of almost every opposing sentiment; and what is the unlettered inquirer to do ? What- ever he should do; he certainly should not con- clude there is no religious truth. While it is certain that opinions diametrically opposite to each other, cannot all be true — it is equally cer- tain that the Supreme Ruler of the universe does not require of man, a knowledge which is beyoad the reach of common minds, when unbiassed and candid. "If thou shalt with thy mouth confess the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe with thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10,9. Whatever is es- sential to the spiritual welfare of man, is neither absurd, mysterious, incomprehensible, nor beyond the reach of the great body of mankind, wherev- er the light of the gospel shines. If all sects and 77 ould abolish | of faith, and lay tit which tbey Still retain every tl / to Chri and be much ing inil-i- Ihan any fedth, — e the i< vet} desirable ion of God — since it is »oiis an 'J opposing specula- v.hh j view oi determining their re- nee — it is truly consoiato- e hai a rule so excellent and so clear b\ v ae truth, coming too from st and its connex- re of false prophets, wl in sheep's clothing, but inwardly aingwolvt ball know them by their nen gather grapes of thorns, or Even co every good tree bring- forth gcK)d truit, but a coirupt tree bringcth forth e T: ii frnit A good tree cannot bring forth ipt tree bring forth Mr. Parker says "We judge a man to be trul u 3, when of religion i»re with him living principles of ac- tion.'' This aeem liiication. Full u Id con- it man to be "truly religious, 93 whose rs of religion are extreme!) corrupt, errone- ous and pernicious — if those views were with him living principles of action. A mau who be- lieves ia a partial and revengeful &od may be very religious, if his views of religion be with him living principles o: action; but he wouJd cot be tmly religious. For a man to be truly reli- gious, he must have couect views of religion and of God, and those views must be with him living principles of action. We perfect] v > ith Mr. P. in the following. "We judge that reli- gious system most accordant with truth and s< principles, which produces the best practical ef- fect." He says, "It cannot be inferred that a system of religion is false, because some who embrace it are immoral iu their, lives. We rhall not urge it ts an argument against Universalism, that some individuals who have embraced and advo< the system, have been men of profligate and vi- cious lives. On the other hand, we are ready to admit that there are as ba3 mei/within the pale of orthodox churches, as can be found i; ■world." The last sentence in the above quota- tion is remarkably candid and undoubtedly true. By the first part of the quotation above, we should suppose Mr. P. meant to intimate that all who embrace Universalism are profligate in their lives, if he had not subsequently used the following language : "We find individuals who embrace the most debasing principles, but who are res- trained from vicious indulgence, by the example of others, or the institutions of society, or a re- gard to their own reputation. These are regu- lar in their lives, in spite of the unhappy influ- ence of their religious belief.' 7 In his supposed i intimate the But f tlic \t all events his } i the fol- iion, "1 uot pro- due* ctic I niety." cm which folds doctrine ol j per- ut 'Voir. d and Inist; but U- tite- ilful- v. hisstatem* I i world by an lith in Christ. " ootmthstand- ing : ra of ury, or in- 'i ac~ i lurch or- l this vil- i tinc- iinec all such, Mr. P.'s rem. jp are in- WatertoWB, Jefl'orjjoa Co. 80 applicable. Church organization is certainly per- nicious in all cases, in which its members are puffed up with the idea that they are morally bet- ter than others, merely because they belong to a church ! If church membership be established as a criterion of holiness, why may they not be thus puffed up ? Church membership certain- tainiy creates no new moral or religious obligation. It is useful only by impresiiag those obligations which already exist, upon the human mind in a more forcible manner. A considerable number of Universalis believe with the Quakers res- pecting the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper: therefore they are not censurable i^r o* mitring those ordinances. A moral discipline is maintained by many societies of Universalis, where no churches are eoiaolieaed. In those cases the principal benefits of church organization are obtained. Mi. P. thinks that system which holds the doc- trine of eternal misery leads many to endure "ye- proach" for the sake of Jesus Christ." A wil- lingness to endure reproach is not produced by the doctrine of eternal misery : for I presume all will admit that Universalists now have more re- proach to endure than Presbyterians have. How often does "that system which holds the doctrine of eternal misery" or something else, induce peo- ple to float on the delirium — inspiring tide of popularity — and attempt to repair a detestable or worthless character by joining a Presbyterian church ? Mr. P, says "The more extensively it (Uni- inhered th flfair! Profession is fai i* - Um on. I ist -1 foi a cousin several succe /• tai its they have nochun h oo deacons, no disci- P. referred — if I am uot ea uot believe tently he ought ; . f i he a tsrally Lin the : strong huh 3Ii . ation in R con- He " o taje q 3 or r;o" ry littl - But the gin 82 facility necessary to build up their cause. But local peculiarities determine nothing in relation to the general prosperity of any cause. To coun- terbalance the circumstances which exist in Ro- chester, I refer to Boston, Mass. and to the New England States generally, where Universalisra is rapidly supplanting Presbyterianism, and every other doctrine, which limits the saving grace of God. Mr.P. says, "You will commonly find that where Universalism prevails most, there are the fewest persons that profess religion." This is not i:\iz-. TJniversalists generally profess religion, as they think it ought to be professed, notwithstand- ing the contumely that profession brings upon them, from their bigotied and superstitious neigh- bors — or from those, who feel it a duty to be an- gry, because others do not think God as angry as they do ! We have the best of reasons for believ- ing there are as few hypocrites in our denomina- tion, as in almost any other sect of christians in this country. 2. Mr. P. says "that system which holds the doctrine of eternal punishment, leads to a life of prayer; but Universalism does not" This posi- tion is also contrary to matter of fact. Univer- salism does lead to a life of prayer. Praj^er is an acknowledged christian duty, to which the sin- cere believer in the christian religion, will often, and most cheerfully resort. It cairns the lacera- ted feelings of frail man — soothes and consolates the afflicted heart — and affords means for the most direct intercourse with the kind Parent of the universe, which can be enjoyed by mortals ou earth. But what i the • doi line [] V hii i.irci- 1)1 \ . word of God i (ball look 'or any corai.i j ei iii families m else- ed his bi to "pray v. if! b, he undonbte Uj in- irit of true Mid i onfltant Mr. P. ; many of ti believe in the doctrine of eternal punishment co v in their families morning and e?e- 1 circle, and also *_iintain m. M Suppose they do, and then u !1 u( i\ iot appear \ cry much like pray- on of men, or to have it known a- rnongst men that they do pr ly : I u n the ap- plause of l say uito you the have their reward 1 ' — for that applause is evid jht — or the puhlic would not be so carefully informed that Presbyterians pray thus and so — pray ia private, but can- not keep it to themselves ! God have mercy on all these who e<-i take no comfort in religion, un- lc a parade about it ! Mr. P. admits that pi > attended in the 1 I j "who ever hear realist pro ! | g and col lias n khin ten : Mr. P. sa will seldom if ever, ri. 84 dividual, who is a Universalis!, that ciaii^ retires to his closet, for the purpose of enjoying a sea- son of private devotion." If he did, he ought not to tell of it, even though "asked" by Mr. P. How easy it is to appear outwardly righteous unto men, and be full of hypocrisy and iniquity within. The scribes, pharisees zn& hypocrites of old, paraded the streets, with their long robes — • ungodly, long faces — offering long .prayers for a show — and like causes produce like effects in all ages of the world. Jesus "said unto his disci- ples, beware of the scribes which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; which devour widow's hous- es, and for a show make long prayers : the same shall receive greater damnation." A people who made ''many prayers" once received the follow- ing keen rebuke from the Lord "Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot nway with, it is iniquity e- ven the solemn meeting, your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth : they trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea; when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood. Wash ye, make ye clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well, seek judgment, re- lieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, piead for the widow*" which hold* the of eternal punishment lca'ls men to ae- •1 to the destitute ; but I (loos not." The last part of > matter of feet : — rertion made by Uni\ to> extend furnishes ev- idence v. >ct That Christ and' ardent desire to of divine truth — that they l>ibv)rv i «l diligent!) and Buffered much to accom- plish that object, will not be denied : but in their public labors and instructions, they ah omitted rtain sentiment which is now considered by manv to be of the utmost importance — and which coastal-nth had no iurluencc in exciting their zeal — I mean the doctrine of eternal misery. — This c: ey never mentioned. We think mary of • who labor ton^ve mankind the knowledge of eternal misery are sincere, but we do not k even heathens would be benefitted by the be'ief of that truly abominable sentiment — for heathenism itself contains jot-ling worse ! The re to extend the knowledge of their senti- iior. to all classes of mankind, and lrd for Mr. P. to say Ul\ t- men to ac f ive exertion to send the gospel.tothe destitute. On another pa^e you to whole towr.-' odency." came this benign ioctrine to have a Ham — tin y give up secret prayer, then family prayer, then leave the communion table, then fall into some vices, and then Umversallsts. You cannot find one instance, where a man was bile a Universalist but where be forsook his closet of devotion, & then abandon- ed family prayer, and th^n left thr. communion of the church, and then fell into vice, and then be- came a Presbyterian, and continued vicious — the moral aul religious characters of men are never improved**** ng up a belief in eternal punishment, and embracing the doctrine of uni- on, men often fail into Universalism, as tho last step in a process of moral defection ; but they never fall into the opposite system by the same process, n &c. All this is mere asser- tion without any proof. But Mr. P. -ays they are u j How do we know these things are W y Mr. P. says so' Such whole- iss for its true value. \\ need not measure back 'o him, what he has so fount u 1 without any just foundation. dealt out to others. 5. Mr. P. says "That system which holds the doctrine of eternal punishment, never occasions ress in a dying hour ; but Universalism fre- quently leads to the most distressing apprehen- 90 sions on a death-bed." This position carries its own refutation upon its face : every part of it is entirely untrue. Is it not plain from the nature of the subject, that the doctrine of eternal punishment must occasion distress in a dying hour ? Those who believe in the Calvinistic doctrine of election and reprobation must be doubtful whether they are al- mong the elect, or not : and those who believe in Arminianism must be conscious of many sins and consequently doubtful whether they are sufficiently righteous to entitle them to salvation. In either, and every case, the believer in endless misery, (admit- ting him to be so completely swallowed up in sel- fishness as to care nothing for the salvation of any but himself,) must have doubts, fears, and distress lest he should find himself a hopeless victim of that horrible, that indescribable misery in which he be- lieves. This distress will increase with the strength of his faith. But what must be the feelings of a be- nevolent heart in the hour of death when he firmly believes himself and all his dearest friends exposed to such a fate ? Satjrin, a distinguished French divine, after preaching a sermon to prove the doc- trine of endless misery said, "I sink, I sink under the awful weight of my subject: and I declare, when I see my friends, my relations, the people of my charge, this whole congregation; when I think that I, that you, that we are all threatened with these torments; when I see in the lukewarmness of my de- votion, in the languor of my love, in the levity of my resolutions and designs, the least evidence, tho' it be only presumptive, of my future misery, yet I find in the thought a mortal poison, which difluseth ndering go •iter. I cease to w tth* «ne mad and others m Mr. P. thinks the doctrine of e- tcrnal punishment never occa tress in a dying hour ! It* a person on the bed of death, by ai; of strong faith, should behold the roaring tide of dam- nation, roiling in endless surges on the naked souls of millions on millions of the human race, with the awful possibility of being eternally miserable himself, would that prospect aflbrd sweet consolation to his sinking heart ? God in mercy deliver us from such infernal consolation ! Would not such a prospect .\\g heart with nameless agony ? It 1 that believers in endless misery some- l die in peace : but that doctrine is no part of j use of that peace, it is "a mortal poison*" in the cup of their joy — their peace arises from their hope not from their fear of damnation. B'-ii .itiy leads to the most i apprehensions oa a death-bed." So says Mr. P. From the very nature of the case his state- ment cannot be true. Would it give a person dis- v he should soon come into possession .re ? Universalists believe the whde race of man shall be purified from sin — na ie holy and I . the operation of spirit and truth of God — and be received to the embrace of unbounded love. We be- lieve all '. families, and kindreds of the earth are heirs of that divine promise, which was contirm- y an oath: "that by two immutable thin J 92 which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; w T hich hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both Scire and stead- fast, and which entereth into that within the vail, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec." Is it possible that such a faith can produce distress in a dying hour ? No, never. It is the want of this faith that produces distress. He who cries out upon his death-bed in bitter lamenta- tions " declaring that he is going to hell" is not a be- liever in Universalism, if he were, he could not use such language. Mr. P. says "I have attended the death-bed of four avowed Universalists, two of them though greatly distressed about their future state, did not relinquish their former sentiments, till within a short time of their death. One, immediately on be- coming dangerously ill denied that he had ever re- ally believed the doctrine of universal salvation; and the fourth seemed altogether insensible to the sub- ject." Now we declare that neither of Mr. P.'s "avowed Universalists" was a real UniversaJist by his own showing. The two first were "greatly dis- tressed about their future state" therefore they did not believe that they, and all their fellow-creatures would be finally happy. The third "denied that he had ev- er really believed the doctrine of universal salvation." A most wonderful Universalist indeed ! What kind of a Presbyterian is that man whomever really believ- ed in Presby tenanism ? It is perfectly disgusting to hear a man of common sense, talk of a Universalist isible to the subject" — \ 1 »r no one caii Save id ED ins h^art, • • Me to it. Mr. F.'s cases of .r tfl furnish a fan .-bout the death-bed conversion of I which are so fad " who relis lever in etern; I punhb- . th^t his ,vs have been urnishea just as his system is correct, as the U- niversalist who "testifies with his lying o'-eath that eculative views have been rights does to prove i correct. The opinion of either furnishes no evidence in the case. Mr. P.'s exhortation to avoid Universalism is worthless, because unsupported by reason or scrip- ture. We honestly believe Universalism has the best moral tendency of any doctrine ever incalculated a- mongst mankind. If we believed it productive of immorality we would ibanaon it : for we earnestly to promote the holiness and happiness of man. Universalists believe all mankind have been, are, or will be speedily, adequately and certairily punished for every sin — and rewarded for every act of virtue. We are very confident this faith has a much more salutary moral influence, than the supposition, that neither virtue nor vice is rewarded in this life — and that while vice exposes men to endless nihfllj 94 misery may be avoided by repentance any time be- fore death. The uncertainty of the reward, destroys its influence upon the mind : and the delusive expec- tation of present enjoyment, gives force and pow- er to the temptations of wickedness. That sin produces present happiness, is the most dangerous doctrine that can he taught : for all the human race ardently desire happiness, and pursue that course which they think will make them immediately hap- py, running all hazards in relation to what is distant and uncertain. No doctrine can have so good moral tendency as that which teaches that virtue is necessarily productive of present, or immediate hap- piness. "Peace, O virtue ! peace is all thy own. 'J The perusal of Mr. P. 's fourth lecture brings to mind a parable, recorded in the 18th chapter of Luke from the 9th to the 14th verse inclusive. We shall alter the substance of that parable, so as to make it apply to our subject. Two men went into a house of public worship to play : the one a Presbyterian, and the other a Uni- versalist. The Presbyterian stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men; extortioners, unjust, impure; especially do I thank thee, that I am not even as this Universalist. I fast often; I pay tithes of all I possess; I give alms; I support missionaries; I disfigure my face; I go to church several days in a week ; I pray in secret ; I pray in my family; I pray in public; I pray a great deal; and above all, I believe in the personal exist- ence and endless dominion of the Devil ! And the Universalist would not lift up so much as his eyes thing he had I rod be men •ful to all sinners. 4 '0 thou that I , unto Thee shall all flesh coim. 1 ." Winch ^~at> the most acceptable prayer ? SERMON V, " Shall not the judje of all tht earth do right," Gen. 18. 25. Mr. P. says, "since we have proved from sev- eral unanswerable arguments, that God will punish some men eternally ; we may infer with perfect safe- ty, shat eternal punishment is strictly and properly just." His assertion that his arguments are unan- swerable, does not make them so. If he can read what we have written in reply to him, and then say he thinks his arguments unanswerable, we are mistaken in the man. It is true, our arguments may not appear to others as they do to us— therefore we think it better to leave the decision to be made by others, than to make it ourselves. We admit it might be safely inferred that eternal punishment is just, if it had been proved " that God will punish some men eternally." But we are perfectly satisfied that Mr. P's attempt was an entire failure. We do not object to the similitude of a supposed man of affliction, used by Mr. P. On the contrary we think it is necessary, not only to know the truth, but to know how it applies to our particular case, as far as may be practicable. Mr. P. says "it is not our object in this lecture, to prove that God is just in the eternal punishment of the wicked. We have proved that he will in- flict it, and we take it for granted that the judge of all the earth will do right." We will here meet as- sertion with assertion — and confidently appeal to the >> i this important Question. I thai God Will indict: »rtion of mankind. ( onsis- • with p< it is still a fact that wick< d < ternally kc ? ' Th think, should 8, It we (ail altogether, I punish the wicked ry should not be perfect- threatenings of God will be I the justice of his proceedings will fi- made mariif * This we fully believe. think all the tl gs of God will certainly he has never threatened endless man. ne same reason, • • • • that we who wcuid reason from ! against the punishment which he has declared he will inflict &c." This is uncandid. Universe lists would not reason from the justice of against the punishment which he has declared he will inflict — we do not beli« ve God hns ever de- d he will inflict ernllros punishment. Our op- :*ave vffinven, times without number, that dless punishment ; but they have nev. ! that affirmation— and v ■ they can nev- ble. . it is designed to sup- id law." if that be the how does it differ from I retaliation ? We think punishment is not only de- signed to support the authority of law, but also to reclaim the offender. This latter object is never o- verlooked by any good being who has authority to punish and ability to reclaim. The only reason why human laws ever throw away human life, and thus evidently disregard the good, or reformation of the offender, in this life, is, because men do not pos- sess the power to control the heart, or reclaim the offender. We seriously question the rectitude of those sanguinary laws, by which the lives of crimin- als are ruthlessly destroyed — laws which have the sanction of barbarous ages — but are evidently not required by the dictates of humanity — the temporal welfare and reformation of the criminal— the safety of community — nor the mild gospel of Christ. But this is not the time,nor place to discuss this question The evil of sin should "he so turned upon the trans- gressor, that his punishment shall exert a counter in- fluence against the influence of his crime :" but this may be effectually done without eternally excludingthe skmer from enjoyment. That "we have laws enact- ed against various crimes, with penalties differing from one another'' shows that common sense teach- es mankind that there are different degrees in crim- inality—consequently, it is fair to conclude that no sin is of infinite demerit. 1. Mr. P. says "there are good reasons for think- ing that no other penalty to the divine law could pro- duce so much holiness and happiness in the universe, as eternal punishment." A most curious position iadeed ! If eternal punishment would produce more fewness a$d happiness in the universe, than could be penalty to the divine law— oi God ; If it be said, of some is necessary to the high- ppiue^s ol . I reply ; that ;^the tion. Where is the evidence that God cannot some of liis creatures as happy without, as with the never ceasing miser] of others ; That evi- -t — the supposition is a mere sub- terfilg position seems to admit that the production of the greatest holiness and happiness in is an object most worthy of the divine Being. How strangely the minds of men are blin- ded by their prejudices ! Is it not intuitively cer- tain that the greatest degree of holiness and happi- in the intelligent universe cannot be produced without the perfect and endless felicity of every ra- tional being ? Does it require a labored argument to show that a part is less than the whole ? It is perfectly clear that a punishment designed to effect the reformation of sinners — a punishment accomplish- ing that design, and admitting of the ultimate recep- tion of eternal life by every sinner, would produce far more holiness and happiness in the universe, than could be produced by eternal punishment. Eternal punishment would be an eternal diminution of the felicity of the moral universe. Mr. P. says " there is something in the thought of punishment's being fi- nal and remediless, wh. it more influence o- ver the mind than all other considerations put togeth- er." How does this sentiment accord with what he advanced in a preceding discourse ? In his third m lecture ©ur author said, " the whole force cf the di- vine government. • • • • depends upon the visible cer- tainty of rewards and punishments." If the whole force of the divine government depends upon the certainly of rewards and punishments— that certain- ty is of more consequence in the human mind, than any consideration whatever relative to the duration of punishment : consequently he was mistaken in his opposing statement. What he "said" in his last lecture has been noti- ced. He seems to doubt whether it be possible "in the nature of things, to reclaim one sinner from his "wanderings unless he had been condemned to end- less punishment.' 3 How very different was Paul's view of the cause of repentance. "Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering, not knowing that the GOODNESS of God leadeth thee to repentance ? Rom. 2. 4. Mr. P. says "if the penalty of the law had been that sinners shall be punished until they repent, it certainly cannot be shown that one soul would ever repent, under the influence of such a penalty." This is a mistake. In the case supposed, the penalty of the law can never be inflicted till all sinners shall have been brought to repentance ! Mr. P* says, "the same disposition which now prevents those who hold to a limited punishment, from repenting at the present time, might always operate to prevent repentance." I reply, the same disposition &c. might not always operate to prevent repentance : because that disposition may be placed in different circumstances. Again the same disposi- tion which now prevents those who hold to an endless m nom repenting at the present ti ate to prevent repentance : so that inishment, for ought that app (esses r a limited punishment, to in men to repent. The. truth is, the fear of punishment inline repentance. The fear of punishment may restrain from overt acts of sin — and a punishment that is certain and unavoidable, is much more efficient for that purpose, than one which d may he avoided by repentance. That repentance will absolve sinners from the just punishment of their sins, is the doctrine of Indul- gence, as now taught by a majority of Protestants : but we think it rfo more favorable upon mankind in its moral influence, than the Catholic doctrine of Indulgences. It is the goodness of God and that a- lone, which produces true repentance. On his 93d. page, Mr. P. tells much about what I > not know — that is, he makes several suppo- sitions, among which is the following " we know not, but gratitude for their deliverance, (deliverance of those who will be saved from eternal misery,) will be made the chief means by which they shall be rendered more secure than were the angels that sin- Yet it is by no means certain that they could be secured unless this gratitude arose from a deliverance from eternal punishment, and un- less this gratitude were kept alive by a constant example of some who were justly sutFering the ven- geance of eternal fire." As this is all supposition, about which he knows nothing, we wdl also inn supposition — it is by no means certain they could not De secured, unless this gratitudo arise from a de- 1$2 iivefance from eternal punishment &c As Mi. P. confessedly knew nothing en this subject, why did he make a supposition so horrible ? Could his eternal felicity be increased or secured by the endless agony of his father, mother, wife, children, or any other part of the human race ? Wh?t shocking cruelty there is in the religion of some people ! We sincerely hope their hearts revolt at their sentiments. Such a supposition is not only dreadful in contem- plation, but it would furnish the inhabitants of hell with one source of unfailing consolation — that of knowing that their sufferings contribute to the happi- ness of their fellow creatures — a consolation which cheers every patriotic and benevolent heart in the field of danger and of battle, and in every sacrifice made for the welfare of others. Mr. P. says, "we know not the comparative magnitude cf the prison of hell." Why then does he attempt to found an argument upon ignorance ? If such a. jail must al- ways exist, the smaller it is, the better. Mr. P. is quite modest on this point in comparison with some others. Edwards says " the sight of hell torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. It will not only make them more sensible of the greatness and freeness of the grace of God in their happiness ; but it will really make their happiness the greater ; as it will make them more sensible of their happiness; it will give them a more lively relish of it ; it will make them prize it more. When they see others who were of the same nature and born under the- same circumstances, and they so distinguished, oh ! it will make them sensible how happy they are. What barbarity ! Such sentiments are enough to » • I . II number of e than make up the amount which Is while th< and - >f the ini sed a this, i reply ; in the case sup- ise in the • than make, up the cio lore his supposition »dy shown that a suffering, \)Ti\ more holiness" than an end- t "could possibly do." VV r e are as q of this, that a part is less than the ole. : able to suppose that the guilt of ers deserves eternal punishment, when we con- the nature of sin." vSo says Mr. P. He says doctrine of the bible which teaches us that it (sin eternal punislunent, does not seem . ' • ." Mere is a very great mistake. The ich us that sin deserves eternal 'it. This we think we have already wn. Mr. P. says "should a child j to your duty you would be bound to follow its direction ; but if an elder brother had urged you me course, .. would be increased ; if your lather 104 commanded it, your obligation would be still farther increased ; but if that same father were clothed with the power of the chief Magistrate of the nation, and should command it on the authority of the laws, by which the good order of the nation is secured, how manifestly would your obligation be heightened." This rule to determine the magnitude of sin is plau- sible, but extremely defective. Though he has not attempted to prove it, it may be expedient to show wherein it is defective. How would it apply to an idiot or a maniac ? Not at all. How would it ap- ply to infants ? It would not be adapted to their circumstances. Why not ? Because they do not possess capacity to understand moral laws. Then Mr. P. has omitted one important consideration in his rule — that is, the capacity of those who become transgressors. Sin is necessarily limited by the limited powers of those who commit it. If a child should so point any person to his duty, as to make him understand it, it is manifest that such person would be under as strong obligations to perform that duty, as though the chief Magistrate of the nation had communicated the knowledge of it, or had comman- ded it. As soon as a moral being knows his duty,let him derive that knowledge from w r hom he may, he is under as strong obligation as he can be, to perform it. If the law or authority sinned against be infinite, sin cannot be infinite, because committed by & finite being. Man cannot sin against a law which is a- bove his capacity. Such a law would virtually be no law ; and where there is no law, there is no trans- gression. If it be objected, that this reasoning ab- solves man from infinite authority. I arrswer ; it does I rom God. ithin the p \ a rejectoin of God's el to sinners his continued listing favor — he sets life and death before them, and inn choose life ; but if they the injus- g them without it?' 1 Again he 8 _ eat the ble* be gr . kindly oi nd is rejt\ J eserre to lose it.* 1 ' On what principle does r -< some pj suren- Certainly inciple oi o other, ioes Mr. P. : [s G be said that tl mduct of . •■imi- I - : ■ ; r 1M creature. It is a favor to sinners to be punished as they deserve. But what does Mr. P. mean when he says, "God does offer to sinners his continued and everlasting favor? Does he mean that God hypo- critically offers his everlasting favortoCalvinistic rep- robates, whom he has doomed to an endless hell, by a changeless decree recorded in the archives of heav- en from the numberless ages of eternity ? Or will he deny his Calvinism as many do, and say God of- fers his everlasting favor to millions of those whom he infallibly knows will eternally reject it — whom he unfeelingly created with the certain knowledge that they would writhe in the keenest torture "ages of hopeless end"? In either case, we do not pre- cisely understand what he means by his supposed offers of eternal favor. Our author says "another thing, which clearly e- vinces the consistency of eternal punishment with perfect justice, is the fact, that sinners, when they are convinced of sin, feel that they deserve eternal punishment." The fact that sinners feel that they deserve eter- nal punishment, clearly evinces the consistency of that punishment with perfect justice ! Mr. P. seems to have placed veiy great dependence. upon this fact: for he says, it clearly evinces tyc. He did not speak with so much confidence on any position assu- med in his fifth Lecture. If an argument founded on the feelings and prejudices of mankind be valid ; we may prove that the Hindoo Churuku, or hook swinging — and their still more shocking practice of burning widows on the funeral pile of their decea- sed husbands : clearlv evinces the c.onsistencv of 1*7 , with perfect justice : for the misera- thosc barbarities, feci that those prac- ight &• necessary! All the fooleries-- all :es of superstition, in all ages and all coun- rnay be proved t<> be consistent with perfect e, according to Mr. PV mode of proving the eternal punishment with perfect jus- ' We think if our author had taken a second mid not have laid down a | absurd. He thinks the feelings and opinions of those :>inners, who do not believe they deserve eternal punishment prove nothing against the justice of it: to this,it is replied, then the feelings and opinions of thoso who think the burning of widows on the funeral pile unreasonable, inhuman and irreligious, prove nothing against the perfect justice of that practice! Why do so many sinners acknowledge they de- serve to be eternally miserable ? We think there is no mystery in this. "When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, up, make us gods, which shall go before us ; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden ear-rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people break off the golden ear-rings, which wvre in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand," (Aaron acted like a modern clerical beggar) "and fashioned it with a grarinq tool af- 5 had nrade it a molten calf" b ses called Aaron to an account for this wickedness* Iiis excuse was, "thou knowest the people that they are set on mischief and I said unto them, whosoever hath any gold, le* thern break it off. So they gave it me : and then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf." What a hypocrite Aaron was! He meant to deceive Moses by omitting to state a most important particular "he fashioned it with a graving tool ;" whereas he would fain have Moses think a golden calf had been miraculously pro- duced ! The people were bent on mischief and he was willing to gratify them in it ! Our clergy very carefully teach children they de- serve to be eternally miserable. If this be true, the injustice of God is the only foundation of their hope of salvation ! Nothing in all the works, providence, or word of God would -^ver suggest the idea that sinners deserve endless wo. But when people have been thoroughly trained with traditionary notions ; the preacher will work himself into a phrenzy, and bis hearers into a consternation, by portraying the burning vengeance of an almighty destroyer, and "the lively bright horrors" of an endless hell ; where misery will be sufficiently keen and lasting to cause the veriest savage, in the universe to shed tears of blood ! Then, a revival, founded on the fear of hell, commences. Young people, especially females, be- come dreadfully frightened. Then the preacher, who has conjured up this artificial storm, questions con- verts : Is your nature totally depraved ? Yes. Do you hate God ? Yes. Does the justice of God require your endless misery ? Yes Are you willing to be damned forever ? Yes. It is allies. The I umti 1 ition. To they sun etimes refer I f eternal pua* man in England accu- was is of liis guilt while de- .0 do not think • are not conscious our subject thus illustrated, be satisfied with the divine t, in the eternal punishment of the e represented in the scriptures as :) on the sv of the lost, and as prai- and shout is the smoke of their nt ascends dp before them forever and ever. . rejoice net in the sufferings of the damned, but of God" &c. Here again Mr. P. ha c rened soleb ive th* impression -, alludes tu >ttrnal ^ufle rings the smoke of their torment er an J ever, should be taken in an is adduced no proof of it the phrase forever /equentlv a limited sense in which in- *he belief tha* bment of Babylon is in K 110 weep & mourn over her" &c See Revelations- Mr. P. says "so clear may we suppose will be the jus- tice of God in the punishment of the wicked, that it will be impossible that any should refrain from heartily approving of the sentence which docms them to endless punishment." If they heartily ap- pro :e of that sentence, they not only ought to be damned, but will undoubtedly be happier there than they could be any where else ! Mr. P's. last paragraph contains nothing of note, ex- cept the recognition of the grand principle that the di vine government should regard "the greatest good" of the universe — and the idea that the everlasting favor of God, may be given up. Both these particulars have been answered. " Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" We consider this a question in form, but not in fact. It appears to be equivalent to a positive declaration that the Judge of all the earth will do right. To treat all according to their deserts without any partiali- ty, would be to do right. "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne : mercy and truth shall go before thy face.'' Ps. 89. 14. Justice re- quires that a proper distinction be made between the righteous and the wicked. "Say ye to the right- eous that it shall be well with him : for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Wo unto the wicked ! It shall be ill with him : for the reward of his hands shall be given him." Isa. 1, 10, 11. Justice will treat all according to their deserts ; but justice is essentially different from cruelty. God knows the character of all creatures — he has power to do justice and is unchangeable. If any , or all of 1 the I rid truth | !8 that aH his and nd in oth- and mercy, and all other sly seel:, and will nro- i rse. rtt, and jus- e met together, ri "Allel d honor, and power unto the Lord our I i SEmiON VI. "Prove all things : hold fast that which is good*" Thess. 5.21. Free and candid investigation is undoubtedly encouraged and required, by the bible. That pre- cious book clearly exhibits the moral character of man. In the language of Mr P. "It places the whole race upon one level • • • • it shows that no man has a right to dictate another's belief* • • • that every individual is solemnly bound to inves- tigate and understand the truth for himself," The bible "gives no countenance to thoughtlessness by making religious doctrines a matter of indiffer- ence." The Bible not only represents the Sav- iour as the light of the world, but as possessing ample power to accomplish that mission of divine and infinite mercy, which he came into the world to establish. "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus said All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." All mankind were lost, Jesus c*me to seek and save them. There can be no failure in the ac- complishment of that most benevolent object. — The more thoroughly we search and understand the scriptures, the more lovely does the divine character appear, as manifested through him who is "the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his person." The more clearly I LB inland the tin ine chari ictl) an r \ ith < ! d, mankind. \\ quired to prove all ;> ngi re- latiT ' _ >mmana- jatt\tr :s I What good o Ihe 'i \Y il it i tho* «t 1 o suffer 't? be to them the worst of all possible >od to blc creatures of his own power in lv noi : for God is per- If — he is independem of all Loud to io are itudea oi' Lb ir f 1- whom they '.re brund u love as di) excluded from ■ d Mlbj< cted to the keenest tor- doctrine of endless misery is not good- i eternal evil — it's an eternal happiness of the intelligent uni- — therefore we should not bold it fast. lennon, wi took notice of Mr. P.'g direct arguments in favor of endk is misery. 1. Concerning the promises of the gospel, we embraced perfect holiuess and jfr- d bappim is. r i here was i ) dis- rint. 3. We p r oved that if we confine the prom- ises of God to a certain class — tint is, the right- eous, none can be eternally excluded from the K 9 114 benefits of those promises; for the time will come when all shall be holy, We also proved that Mr. P. had mistaken the nMure of the promises : for all families, all nations and all kindreds of the earth are unconditionally promised justification through faith in Christ — that no law can prevent the fulfilment of the promises, for they were con- firmed by the immutable oath of God. 3. We stated that Mr. P 's passages, which he said contrasted the future state of ihe righteous and the wicked, did not apply to a future state, hut receive their fulfilment in this life— and Mr. P. did not attempt to prove the correctness ot nis application of those passages. We also proved that the passage, on which he chiefly relied for bis future contrast, received its accomplishment in this world. 4. We proved that neither of the texts, which Mr. P. had quoted to show that men are in dan- ger of an endless, or eternal punishment, amounts to any proof of such danger — that the words sig- nifying duration, and applied to punishment, are frequently used in a limited sense in scripture ; that the destruction of soul and body in Gehenna or hell, does not refer to misery beyond the grave, and we have reason to believe God is able to do many things which he nev^r will do. 5. We examined the class of texts adduced by Mr. P. to show that the punishment of some men is remediless — that they never shall have for- giveness &c. and proved that neither of those texts furnishes the least evidence of the truth of the position, to which he applied them— that while libit forgiveness for a cer- tain p ier certain circumstanc i, they divine gr ,re and for^n iroughout eten rmon wis devoted to the oxamina- M t led refutation of Univer- I that the justice ol I an important argument in sm, because God is not only just in himself, but to render all his crea- juat, and hi* designs must be effected — that I came to fulfil the moral law in every jot and tittle, which cannot be done, till every ra- tional bt-ing shall love God with all his heart and How creatures as himself. In reply to Mr. P.'s position that justice re- quire i mere discipline >od of the offender, wr proved that inflii not exist in the universe without! ug t T ie divine Being — that infi- nite goodness always makes use of the best possi- ble means to make all creatures happy — that if there c?n be no curse unless it be endless, Mr. P. and ?11 other sinners are in a condition entire- ly hope 1 * proved that while sinners may demand a deliverance from suffering -after they have suf- fered all that justice requires; yet they could not demand salvation on the ground of law : because their sufferings might be terminated by annihila- tion. Every sinner, therefore, is en : rely depen- dent on the icee grace of God for salvation and ial life, though he must suffer all the punish- 116 Bient justice requires — because the Judge of all the earth will do right. 4. We showed that the justice and mercy of God harmonize — that justice must be violated, or forgiveness is not incompatible with a just pun- ishment. 5. We showed that Christ does not deliver men from the curse of the law in such manner as to exonerate them from the just punishment of their sins — but that he delivers them from the curse of the law bj delivering them from sin it- self, and Universalists are misrepresented when it is said, we believe Christ delivers sinners u from the means of repentance." 2. We examined Mr. P. ? s considerations des- igned to show that justice is not satisfied with a mere discipline, intended for the good oi the suf- ferers. We showed that all the punishments of sinners must be compatible with tne exercise of parental kindness, or, God is a malignant and re- vengeful being — that to treat one sinner on a dif- ferent principle from tnat, on which, other sin- ners are treated, would be partiality, that what the law saith to one sinner, it say? to all sinners, that parents never cast off a child finally, unless deficient in power to govern or reclaim it — that God is not deficient in power, will or means for the salvation of every sinner. 1. It was shown that it is mere assumption, a begging of the question indeed, to say sinners de- serve eternal punishment; for no evidence of that position has been produced — that if some sinners who deserve endless misery be forgiven, andoth- [iyinj they would not l>e treated ■* \>. f to Mr. P.'j arguments on the p fjon that ! t foi a man to contract ^uilt : • eternal punishment) it was re- ject- ed with an] ofthei ami- ' rniversaKtts, to thou that sliiw mal punishment — that docs not | /.'y to commit a sin punishment, whether he be a longer or shorter period of time in commit- it 3. to Mr. P's. arguments on the posi- tion, the creature is finite and the retort cannot i ve an endless puuishruent — it was proved that no being in the universe can commit vi in- re consistent to speak of the certain- ty, rather than the danger of eternal punishment— and that too, whether he may choose to be a Calvin- ist or an Arminian. "He that believeth not is condemned already," but not in such manner as to prevent his *salvation,for "God who is rich in mercy, for his great love where- with he loved us, even w en ice were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ." Eph. 2. 4. 5. Speaking of the divine law, Mr. P. says God "will not diminish in the least its eternal and tre- mendous penalty." This is not only assertion, but it is begging the question; he has not proved that law lias an eternal penalty. Again he ' )V you there ara but two possible condi- tions. You must return to the bosom of your God,on gracious pardon, or you must sink under unmitigated curs»- of that law which says nothing >ul that sinneth it shall die." If the hall die, there is no condition in the case ; and when Mr. P. promises a doubt ir nature. When If they agi; ally dead a second time. e concerning the rich man and Laza- rus, t Mr. P. literal or parabolic. If literal, i ! •lever may be its true meai rue a part of it Iv The hell in ' 126 one where it is translated grave y it is quite common in classical authors, and frequently used by the Sev- enty in the translation of the Old Testament In the Old Testament, the corresponding word is Scheoi, which signifies the state of the dead in gen- eral, without regard to the goodness or badness of the persons, their happiness or misery." Dr. Whitby says, " That Scheoi, throughout the Old Testament, and Hades in the Septuagint, answer- ing to it, signify not the place of punishment, or of the souls of bad men only, but the grave only, or the place of death, appears. 1st From the root of it Shaal, which signifies to ask, crave and require, be- cause it craves for all men, Prov. 30. 16. and will let no man escape its hands, Ps. 89. 48. It is that Scheoi or Hades whither we are all going Eccl. 9. 10. 2. Because it is the place to which the good as well as the bad go, for they whose souls go upwards, descend into it. Thither went Jacob, Gen. 37. 35. There Job desired to be, chapt. 14. 13. for he knew that Scheoi was his house, chapt. 17. 13. And to descend to the dust was to descend into Hades. Is not death common to all men ? Is not Hades the house of all men ? Hezekiah expected to be there after he went hence, for he said, ;< I shall go to the gates of Hades Isa. 38. 30. That is, saith Jerom. to the gates of which the Psalmist speaks, saying, "thou wilt lift me up from the gates of death. The ancient Greeks assigned one Hades to all that died, and therefore say, Hades receives all mortal men together, all men shall go to Hades. 3. Had the penman of the Old Testament meant by Hades, any receptacle gf souls, they could not truly have ing of him in s< held it I ace in ■ ipture to *'.. Thia rich man I said i. It is extremely ab- Lrrative a I .truction. The the rejection of the .1' y the rich man) from the privileges ception ot utiles ) into tin at of spir- itual life. Bui whatever may b ie mean- - it cannot mean that Hades or aham, Lazarus and the rich mar* a state of sufr' a construction is totally inadmis- a an infinitely do 'i for imp nners, than we do. motives. H the p t law. There lies but in will. ' ; represent < II.' 180 Mr. P. closes his last discourse with these words; "He that belie veth, shall be saved : but he that believem not, shall be damned.' 5 By looking at St. Mark's gospel we find the following words immedi- ately after his quotation, "And these signs shall fol- low them that believe ; in my name shall they cast out devils : they shall speak with new tongues ; they shall take up serpents : and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them ; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Does Mr P. possess these signs ? If not, and if dam- nation means eternal misery, he must inevitably be- come the subject of the same dreadful misery which he has preached to others ! Does the passage -mean "he that belie veth not shall be damned in a future life and to all eternity ? If so, Mr. P. is damned again on his own principles ; for he has been an un- believer! Belief is salvation and unbelief is dam« nation. The signs doubtless related to the Apostolic age, therefore the passage ought never to be quoted to prove the eternal misery of those who do not be- lieve in the sense of the passage. "The Lord is good to all ; and his tender mercies are over all his works," Ps. 145, 9. "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3, 17. " God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." I. Tim. 2. 4. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me : and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out ; for I came down from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." John 6. 37. 38. "The Lord will not cast off for- LHl . yet will he t' ing to the multitude of his men the chil- ; -33. Lo k unl i lie earth ; for 1 am >ne else. I hav< sworn by my- of my mouth in righW- ousik shall not rot inn, that unto me every r, surely thai! say, in the Lord have. I righteousness &, strength." ;: Havirigmade peaco through the I of his CT068, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him I say whether they be things in earth, or things id heaven. " Col. 1, 20. "For as the rain com.; and the snow from heaven, and re. kh not thither, but watereth the earth and ma- 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 forth out of my mouth : it not return unto me void, but it shall accom- plish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the • reto I sent it." Isa. >-\ • , LI. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God nen, the man Christ Jesus ; who gave him- for all to be testified in due time." 1. ransomed of the Lord I return an ' i Zion with songs and ever* <:\ their heads : they shall obtain joy and l and sorrow and sighing shall flee a- 10. "In this mountain shall the into all people a feast of fet the lees, of fat tl 132 and he will destroy in this mountain the lace of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory ; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces ; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from of] all the earth : for the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. 25, 6—9. "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed the dead shall be raised incorruptible so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption ; and this mortal shall have put an immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory ? 1. Cor, 15, 51. 58. "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earih, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, blessing, and honor, and glo- ry, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb forever and ever." Rev. 5, 13, "And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying behold the tabernacle of God is With men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ;■ and the) shall be death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain ; for the formei things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, be- hold, I make all things new," Rev. 21, 3 — 6. When the above and many similar passages of scripture shall have received their fulfilment ; sin, misery and death will be banished from the mors! • of God - lil — the ' I • 1 id in prai • ne sin of the he tears, And pains, an 1 griefs, and fears, ii itaelfshall shall the no of nature be pn : for th< G d. Then shall the be lighted with the smile of the purest devotional joy — and the countless milli" 1 worlds and systems, all te« th life and hapniness ; which move in harmony through the regions of infinite rated with the r. non-tide splen- dors of Jehovah's all-purifying, almighty ^ove — that : i is uncreated and unconqneraoJe, unboun- Lord from the heavens ; praise him in th( ' :m all his ai_ all his hosts. Pr im ran and praise him • be above Let \ the name of the tnd they were ore r aud eve. M 134 hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps ; fire and hail ; snow and vapour ; stormy wind ful- filling his word ; mountains, and all hills ; fruitful trees, and all cedars ; beasts and all cattle : creep- ing things and flying fowl : kings of the eatth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: both young men an maidens; old me- children. Let them praise the name of the Lord : for his name alone is excellent ; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts : praise him according to his -excellent greatness. Let every thmg that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." "Oh thou eternal One ! whose presence bright, AH Space doth occupy* — all motion guide ; Unchanged through time's all-devastating flight — Thou only God ! there is no God beside Being above ai) beings ! mighty one ! Whom none can comprehend and none explore; Who fill'st existence with thyself aione ; Embracing all — supporting — ruling o'er — Being whom we call God — and know no more ! A million torches lighted by thy hand. Wander unwearied through the blue abyss ; They own thy power, accomplish thy command, All gay with life, all eloquent with bliss. What shall we call them 1 piles of crystal light 1 A glorious company of golden streams 1 •Lamps of celestial ether burning bright 1 Suns lighting systems with their joyous beams? But THOU to these art as the noon to night 1 135 I universe auvround ; b\ thee inspired with breath! Thou the beginning with the end hast bound, And beautifully tningl . Ideatb ! >uiu upward from tin; fiery blai born, so worlds spring forth from And as tl lea in the sunny rays Shine round i w, the pageantry Of heavens bright army glitters in thy praise. " i