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" righteousness have never visited these ha"bitations of darkness and cruelty"."

Similar to this has been the state of the

whole world from the earliest ages. Equally small, in proportion to the number of unbelievers, has been the number of believers. So true it is, as Christ hath said, "Many

are called, but few are chosen"." Are there then few that will be saved? The question was put to our Lord, who waved answering it directly. From the tenor of his answer, however, we clearly collect, that the majority of those who enjoy the light of the Gospel, having arrived to years of discretion, will seek to enter into heaven, but not through the strait gate, and therefore will not be able. Will Satan's subjects, then, exceed those of the Prince of Peace? Will the monuments of divine wrath be more numerous than those of divine mercy? No, by no means. "In the multitude of people "is the king's honour," saith the wise man'. This is a maxim which will apply to the

p Pringle's Prayer for the Revival of Religion recommended, p. 25.

q Matt. xxii. 14. s Prov. xiv. 28.

VOL. II.

r Luke xiii. 23, 24.

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present subject. The redeemed, we are informed in the visions of John, constitute "a

great multitude which no man can num"ber'." From whence will these be collected? Bear with me, whilst I state the result of a serious and careful examination of the subject.

1. They who die before they can exercise their reason, infants who are incapable of distinguishing their right hand from their left, I believe, so far as I can believe, where there is no positive or decided information, are included in the gift of God to his Son Jesus Christ. Although their original guilt is such as would fully justify God in rejecting them, yet, not having sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, it seems most agreeable to the spirit which pervades the whole economy of redemption, to conclude that they belong to the redeemed of Christ, literally, out of every kindred, and people, and nation, and tongue. The words of Christ seem to convey the same meaning, in his address to his disciples, who rebuked them that brought little children to him. "Suffer little children," says

t Rev. vii. 9.

he, "to come unto me, for of such is the

kingdom of God;" that is, they compose the largest part of my redeemed people. This is a more natural view of the meaning of these words, than to consider them as explanatory of the temper of mind requisite for being a follower of Christ; or even to suppose that they constitute so large a proportion of the visible Church, as properly to be called the kingdom of God.

Besides, infants, never having had the opportunity of improving or abusing the law of nature, cannot be judged by that law; and, never having enjoyed the offer of the Gospel salvation, cannot be judged by the Gospel; and, never having been capable of moral action, cannot be judged according to their works, which, the apostle teaches us, is to be the rule for judging. I conclude, therefore, on these grounds, that they constitute the greatest number of the elect, and that to them all, of heathen as well as of Christian descent, the blood of Christ is applied, in that manner in which we know that it was applied to Jeremiah and John the Baptist, who were sanctified from the womb.

2. Among the most degenerate Christian Societies, there still is a remnant whose garments are undefiled.

I mean those societies who do not deny the only Lord God who bought them. They who do, are not Christians; they come not under the name; they belong not to the family. The reason why this remnant are not known, is because they are in obscurity. When iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold, true believers are generally found in the humble, obscure walks of life. They therefore attract no notice, but remain in retirement, like the flower

"born to blush unseen,

"And waste its sweetness on the desert air."

In their circle, they possess the spirit and display the conduct of believers; but are happily removed, through God's favour, from the noise, and bustle, and persecution of the world. Such were the seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed unto Baal, and whose mouth had not kissed him, though Elijah thought that he alone was left to serve God. These believers, thus unknown, when collected together, will form a mass, and will swell the number of the re

deemed. Amongst them, I have no doubt, will be found many from those denominations whom we justly think erroneous, who have been kept from the pollutions of their brethren".

3. In the Millennial period, the number of the redeemed will be vastly increased. Then Satan will be bound. Nations, and kindreds, and tongues will acknowledge Christ, to the glory of the Father. The power, prevalence, and extent of sin will be abridged. In consequence of this, the causes which diminish the human species will be fewer. It is most probable the atmosphere will be more salubrious. Undoubtedly there will be no oppression, and no wars; comparatively little sickness and sorrow. The earth will easily, if not spontaneously, produce her fruit. The nature of wild beasts will be altered, and literally there will be

u In these two particulars, I cordially agree with the venerable Mr. J. Newton. See his Messiah, Ser. 48. With his view about the heathen, I cannot concur. The reply to a question on this subject, made by an excellent professor of divinity in Scotland, is admirable, and contains all that can or ought to be said. If we are so happy as to be received into heaven, we will be pleased to see Socrates, Plato, and other heathen there. But if we do not find them there, we will be perfectly convinced that God will be able to give a good reason for their exclusion.