verging towards its fall: the ac- of exciting already a very confi tivity of its priests, who, by wri- derable impulfe in the minds of tings and other means, are endea- many in favor of genuine Chriftivoring to revive its interefts, may, anity. The objects of the inftihowever, fucceed, if no proper at- tution, and the difinterefted phitempts are made to introduce into lanthropy, to which they attriits place a purer fyftem; because buted their vifit, had a powerful the intellectual principle in man, effect on them, and awakened a confcious of its immortal destiny, train of ideas which were either feels the neceffity of fome religion entirely new, or had long lain dorwhereon its anxieties may repofe ; mant in their minds. They foon and will therefore lean upon a formed the project of communifalfe one in the absence of the true. cating their views and feelings to This anxious feeling of the mind others; and we believe that, at after the true religion, feems to this time, this time, a correfpondence is be increasing in France. Dif-opening with the Proteftants in gufted with the fuperftitions of every part of France, with a view Popery, they betook themselves to form a general and useful orto the principles of infidelity, and ganization of the whole body, in have proved them to be infuffici- order to revive the long-perfecuted ent for their happiness, as well as interefts of true religion, and expernicious in their tendency. The tend them on every fide; but they day of infidelity and of fuperfti- feel their need of the advice and tion is clofing; and, as foon as affiftance of the Society in the the Sun of Righteousness arifes, commencement of their efforts; they will be chafed into eternal and are difpofed, in return, to darkness, their native region. It co-operate in all the measures may be added alfo, that the Pro- which may be recommended as teftant religion would be fupport- likely to promote our great obed by a confiderable portion of ject. What these measures ought the people, who, being friendly to to be, becomes therefore an imthe principles of civil liberty, con- portant fubject to be confidered. ceive that a natural alliance fub- Probably the Directors will coinfifts between these, whilst that of cide in the conviction which this the Papal is supposed to be in hof- vifit to France has produced in tility thereto. This is therefore our own minds,-That, dependthat political and moral state of ing on the bleffing of God, the things in France and its depen- Bible, and an Evangelical Minifdencies, which the Directors will try, are the principal things requiprobably confider as a distinguish-fite to promote the caufe of the ing character of a difpenfation fa- Redeemer in that country; and vorable to the intereft of true re- it will probably be the diftinguifhligion; and therefore defigned to ed honor of the Miffionary Socibe a fignal to Chriftians, and ef-ety to be the means of diftributpecially to Chriftian focieties, in ing the word of God, in a very order to engage their utmost ener extenfive degree, through France gies to improve it. and its dependencies, which ap The Members of the Deputa-pear to be now nearly deftitute tion now proceed to ftate, that thereof; and this one circumGod has been pleased to render ftance will impress upon it a chatheir vifit to France the occafion racter of usefulness, which will ly extend their liberal aid to fupport it; and on this ground, the Members of the Deputation have inftituted an enquiry concerning the price of one of the churches, well adapted for this purpose; the refult of which, we expect very Another means for promoting the fuccefs of the Gofpel in France, we conceive would be the circu lation of various Proteftant works, explaining and impreffing the leading principles, and beneficial ef fects of Chriftianity; and efpecially by a publication of the nature of the Evangelical Magazine; the profits whereof should be applied to the relief of the widows of Proteftant Minifters in that country; or to the education of young men for the miniftry; as may appear beft. On these grounds the adoption of the fol lowing Refolutions is recommended to the Directors : afford to the mind a fource of per-ciety in England would cheerfulpetual joy and thanksgiving. It is alfo hoped, it will be in their power to find out and recommend to the Brethren in France, fome minifters, whofe knowledge of the peculiar doctrines of the Gofpel, and experience of their power, may fit them for eminent ufeful-fhortly to lay before the Directnefs; but fo great is the want of ors. fuitable minifters in thefe populous and extensive regions, that, 'without an interpofition of Providence in a way at prefent unknown, there muft long remain a 'great deficiency in this refpect. To lay the foundation of fupplying this, as far as circumftances permit, it may probably be of effential fervice to felect a few young men of the French nation, whofe hearts may be inclined to the fervice of God, for the purpofe of giving them fuch full and appropriate inftructions as may fit them for the Chriftian miniftry in their own country. It appears, moreover, to be a matter of great importance, that a member of the Society, or a friend in clofe connexion with it, fhould refide in Paris, for the exercise of his miniftry, among the Proteftants there; whofe number is estimated at from 30 to 40,000; and who it is feared, are deplorably ignorant, as to the nature and effects of the religion which they profefs. It may be neceffary, in the first inftance, to conduct the fervice in the En-ed by fale, for account of the glish language; but the princi- Miffionary Society, `viz. pal defign is, to preach eventually in that of the French; not only to Proteftants, but to Catholics alfo. This measure appeared fo important in its nature, fo honorable to the fociety, and fo effential in various views to the interefts of religion throughout France, that the perfuafion has been in dulged, that the friends of the So 1. That the measures already taken for the tranflation of the Effay, and its circulation by fale, as well as the printing and fale of the New Teftament, be confirmed. N. B. 2000 of each are ordered; the cost of which will be about 1151. 2. That the Committee be authorized to direct the following books to be printed and circulat 5000 Bibles and Teftaments, which will coft about 5000 do. 2d do. do. £. s. d. 625.00 800 20 0 0 2500 100 0 0 70 00 848 00 3. That a Committee be form- | have done evil, unto the refurrec tion of damnation.' He will fay unto fome, Depart ye curfed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,-and these fhall go away into everlasting punishment.' ed for taking into confideration the best means by which a Periodical Publication, fimilar to the Evangelical Magazine, could be formed and conducted in France. 4. That an application be made for fix fuitable perfons to be fent over to England, to receive in ftructions under the patronage of our Society, with a view to the exercife of the Proteftant Miniftry in France. 5. That an Address from our Society to the Proteftants in France, tending to call forth their exertions in the cause of the Redeemer, be formed by the Committee of Correfpondence. 6. That the Rev. Samuel Tracy be appointed the Agent of our Society in Paris, for fix months to come; and that he be confidered as having acted in that capacity from the commencement of his arrival in that city. (Signed by order of the Committee.) Anfwer to a Queflion. [Continued from page 374.] NUMBER III. OME reafons will now be affigned, why God does not convert and fave all the human race. The queftion fuppofes, that fome men will be left of God to go on in fin and perish. This is confirmed by the holy fcriptures. Our Lord hath faid, Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to deftruction, and many there be which go in thereat because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. They that have done good, fhall come forth unto the refurrection of life, and they that It is not from any inability in God to renew and fave all, that any are left to perish in their fins, for all hearts are in his hands, and nothing is impoffible with him. He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.' Nor are any left to perish, through a defect in his benevolence. God is love." His benevolence is rendered unqueftionable by the gift of his Son, the provifion of an infinite atonement, and his direction that the offers of falvation fhould be made thro' all the world, unto every creature, without limitation, and by fuch an administration of government as produces the higheft poffible happiness in the univerfe. There can be no want of goodness in God. There is none good but one, that is God.' It furely can be no reasonable objection to his goodnefs, that when mankindreject Chrift, and his great falvation, freely offered, and affectionately urged upon them, God does not in every instance fubdue their obftinacy, and make them willing in the day of his grace. And it fhould be kept in mind, that this is the real ftate of men. They all begin to make excufe, when called upon by the messages of grace. Chrift faith, Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life.' We ought rather to admire the wonderful benevolence of God, in reclaiming and faving any, after fuch abufe, and fuch a difcovery of the extreme depravi ty of the human heart, than to harbor any jealousies of his good, ness because he does not compel all to come in. There is a wide difference between offering falvation to finners; and by an almighty act disposing them to receive it, after they have deliberately and ungratefully rejected the offer. It would have been a glorious expreffion of benevolence in God to have done the former, tho' he had not feen fit to have done the latter. But if we were unable to affign any reasons why God leaves fome to perish, it would ftill be arrogance in us to conclude that there were not fufficient reafons. It would rather become us to acquiefce in the language of our Lord. I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou haft hid these things from the wife and prudent, and haft revealed them unto babes, even fo, Father, for fo it hath feemed good in thy fight.'-Tho' we can by no means fathom the counfels of God, nor pretend to know all the particular reafons of this inftance of his administration, yet fome valuable ends, which are anfwered by it, may be clearly feen. A few will be here mentioned. There is no room to question the right which God has, even after an atonement, to leave fome to perish; and in fuch circumftances, a difplay of justice is peculiarly ftriking, and expreffive of God's holinefs. Thus God is willing to fhew his wrath, and make his power known, on the veffels of wrath, fitted to deftruction: and all the inhabitants of heaven will fay, true and righteous are thy judgments, and will cry Alleluia, when the fmoke of their torment afcendeth forever and ever. 2. God, by leaving fome to perish, teaches his creatures that he will have his grace refpected by them.-Mankind have placed themselves, by rejecting Chrift, in very different circumftances from those they were in before grace was offered and refufed. They are now guilty of fin, not only against the law of God, but alfo against the difpenfation of his wonderful grace. This renders it fuitable that they should be viewed in a very different light, and be treated accordingly. Their fins against the tranfcendant glory of divine grace, are not only an infinite aggravation of their guilt, but they form a new Species of wickedness, diftinct from their dif obedience to the law of God, and of a nature more base, ungrateful and malignant. It is fuch a kind of wickedness as the fallen angels never committed, and as never be 1. By leaving fome to perifh in their fins, God makes a moft full and impreffive manifeftation of his juftice, greater than could have otherwife been effected. It is true, that the abhorrence of God towards all fin, and his regard to the divine law, have been fo mani-fore appeared in the universe; for fefted by the atonement of Chrift, none ever before finned against rethat the justice of God would not deeming mercy, and the offers of have fuffered, tho' all had been a gracious pardon for rebellion faved; but then it would not against God. It is therefore a have been manifefted in God's fpecies of fin, which never had dealings with this finful world, been punifhed, fo as to manifeft for it cannot be truly faid, that God's peculiar abhorrence of it. the fufferings of Chrift were due Difobedience and rebellion against to him, or that they were a mani- the law and authority of God, feftation of diftributive juftice. had been punished in the fallen carnal heart is fo inimical to God, that it can never be subject to his law. As this fhows the extreme malignity of a finful fpirit, and its irreconcilable averfion to any propofals, which a holy God can make, it very greatly illustrates the juftice of God, in dooming evil angels, as well as men, to never ending misery. It becomes angels. Their fufferings declare the wrath of God for that defcription of fin, but not for fins committed againft redeeming love. For the fame reasons for which it was neceffary and fuitable, that the fallen angels fhould fuffer for their rebellion, that the law of God might be refpected; it feems proper, that there fhould be examples of God's peculiar difpleaf-evident, that their hearts are fuch ure at unbelief, that the grace of God might be refpected by his creatures. It was fuitable in the 'eyes of infinite wisdom and rectitude, that this fhould take place. This ferves to exhibit the dignified nature of the difpenfation of grace, and fhows that tho' God is gracious and merciful, he is not regardless of himself, nor of his mercy; but will be refpected, and will have his grace refpected by his creatures. that they never could be reclaimed, but by the all conquering and irresistible power of God, and that they are fit only to be configned to hopeless mifery. 4. God in leaving fome finners to go on in their wickedness and perish, makes a moft glorious difplay of the prerogative of divine fovereignty, beyond any thing of the kind which had ever before been fet in the view of his creatures. He exercises, before the eyes of all intelligence, his fovereign right to difpofe of finners as he pleafes, for the purposes of his own glory, either as veffels of mercy, or of wrath. This had never before been exhibited by example. This is a striking manifeftation, that God confiders the finner as having forfeited all good 3. The unyielding nature of a finful spirit had never before been afcertained, by actual experiment, and clearly exhibited to creatures. The fallen angels never had the offers of mercy, and it was not known to creatures, that they were fo utterly depraved, but that the offers of grace and motives of infiniteimportance, mighthave pre-as being in the hands of a rightvailed on them to have returned to God; and fo the juftice of God in their punishment could not be feen in its full ftrength and luftre. But the offer has been made to man, and motives of infinite weight have been presented and it is now afcertained by actual experiment, in the cafe of thofe under the inftructions of the gofpel, who are left of God to go on in fin, that a finful spirit is too obftinate to be reduced by any motives, or of fers of pardon and acceptance. The implacable nature of fin is made clearly manifeft. It is no longer questionable whether the VOL. III. No. 11. eous Judge, and that he himself is under no kind of obligations to spare him. He may therefore ufe him in any way that shall be moft for his own glory and the good of his kingdom, either as an example of juftice or of grace. This fovereignty is alfo further manifefted, in giving fome the of fers of mercy, while a knowledge of the gofpel is withheld from others. In all this the language of his proceedings is, Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the fame lump, to make one vessel to honor and another unto dishonor? If God renewed all, this glorious Ggg |