opposition to the scriptures, that all the punishment due to sin is suffered in this world;-and hereby break down every barrier for the preservation of virtue, and licence men to "continue in sin”. “Universalists may deny, if they please, the licentious tendency of their doctrine; but so long as conscience and common sense have any influence over the opinions of men, they will continue to believe, as they always have done, that sentiments like the above take off every restraint from vice, and strike at the dearest interests of religion and human happiness."

And is not the end of this heresy eternal ruin? Such, according to the Word of God, must be the inevitable consequence to all who embrace, and live and die under the influence of, such a doctrine. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. xiv. 12. " When they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them; and they shall not escape." 1 Thess, v. 3. "The wicked shall be turned into hell." The wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment"-Their the worm dieth not, the fire is not quenched." "They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Ga!. v. 21. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." Phil. iii. 18. 9. On the supposition, therefore, of the Truth of the Bible, Universalism will in the end prove a false foundation to all who build upon it-their "refuge of lies," when it is too late to remedy the evil, will be swept away-in all the overwhelming responsibility of their personal moral agency they will stand before God-weighed in the balances they will be found wanting, and their portion will be appointed" with hypocrites and unbelievers." This is the natural tendency of Modern Universalism. We acknowledge, that many,

who believe in the probationary character of the present life, and in a state of future rewards and punishments, loose their souls; but the fault is not to be charged upon the doctrine. They resist its influence-procrastinate an attention to their personal salvation— and, tho' aware of the consequences, continue to "live unto themselves" until overtaken by death. But the case is different on the other system. Believing there is no place or state of future misery, but that they receive all their punishment in this life, its adherents are necessarily prevented from making scriptural preparation for the future world. At death they are found with all their sins uncancelled, which they had, in vain supposed were expiated as they moved thro life; and trusting for acceptance to this most fallacious of all fallacious beliefs, they drop into eternity, where their characters remain unchanged and unchangeable, and their eternal destiny is appointed by the righteous God," who will render to every man according to his deeds-indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil." To cherish hope for the final salvation of persons, who die under these circumstances, is to extend the bounds of charity beyond the warrant of the scriptures. "Ye shall die in your sins and where I am

ye never shall come."

E

CHAPTER IV.

SALVATION NOT ABSOLUTE, BUT

CONDITIONAL-THE

WILL OF Gon, as IT RESPECTS THE SALVATION OF
MEN MAY BE DEFEATED, INFERENCES.

THE UNIVERSALISTS, in supposing, that the "Will" of GoD concerning the salvation of moral agents will infallibly take place, greatly err. Thus they argue,-Go» "is NOT willing that any should perish"; therefore none will perish; and, as GoD "will have all men to be saved," so, all men will be infallibly and finally saved. This is one of their grand arguments.

Now we grant, that, The DIVINE BEING assuredly wills, desires, the present and eternal salvation of all men, without limitation or exception: the following scriptures are in point, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world thro' him might be saved." John iii. 16. 17. "God our Saviour-will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time." 1 Tim: ii. 3-6.-" But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the

grace of God should taste death for every man." Heb. ii. 9. "The Lord-is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Pet. iii. 9. If, therefore, there be any sincerity in God-if any reliance to be placed upon His TRUTH -if His WORD be not a mass of contradictions and falsehoods-if in fact, the passages quoted have any meaning whatever they must mean what they plainly declaresalvation, in its scriptural acceptation, is provided for, and sincerely offered to, all men without exception :-God is "the saviour of all men," as he has rendered the salvation of "all men" possible.

But we object to the inference drawn from the premises by the Universalists, because

1.-God wills men to be saved, as He has constituted them, moral agents, and not as pieces of passive mechanism;-not absolutely, but conditionally; which conditions, He himself, by communicated grace, enables them to perform. These conditions are

Repentance;" Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin." Ezk. xviii. 30.

Faith,

"God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." Acts xvii. 30. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John iii. 36.

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark xvi. 16.

Regeneration,-"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except

a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.-Marvel not that I said unto

Holiness,

Obedience

thee, ye must be born again.” John iři

5. 7.

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." 2 Cor. v. 17.

-"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Heb. xii. 14.

"And there shall in no wise enter into it (heaven) any thing that defileth, &c. Rev. xxi. 27.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world." Titus ii. 11, 12,

"The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his pow2 Thess. i. 7-9.

er."

Self-Denial;" Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If

any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his (natural) life, shall loose it (his soul): and whosoever will loose his (natural) life for my sake shall find it (his everlasting happiness). For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole