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there open to them the storehouse of his grace, unfold to them the riches of his love, and cause the light of heaven to beam upon them in all its brilliancy and glory. His arms of compassion I will there be round about them; and he will be their God, and they shall be his people.

God's plan of government has never yet changed. It is the same now as when he watched over the patriarchs in all the tenderness of infinite mercy, and as when he first disclosed the full and blessed provision of grace through Jesus Christ. As it has been, so will it ever be. When countless ages shall have passed away, and we shall have wondered all that time at the extent and riches of God's mercies, he will still be gracious and good, and be engaged in carrying forward the same holy purposes which he formed in the beginning. God's goodness is immutable and eternal.

4. Arminianism is opposed to the freeness of love. If we have any doubt in regard to this reasoning, it will be removed by considering, that what we do can have no influence upon God. Goodness is a part of his nature, and not something caused by human virtue or the death of Christ. Let me say, too, that the action of goodness does not depend upon anything we do. God pursues his purposes of love when we are sinful, just the same as when we are virtuous. His love is wholly uncaused, and the blessings it bestows are not induced by anything out of him. Sin, therefore, will not prevent our coming into an enjoyment of divine grace; for it is the work of goodness so to subdue the heart and destroy sin, that it shall not bar man from receiving divine grace. Goodness

does not wait for the dead to come to life; it raises them up, and gives them life. It does not wait for the blind to open their eyes; but removes the blindness, and enables them to see the glory of truth. It does not wait for the wanderer to return; but sends one after him to bring him back. Goodness provides the means, opens the way and executes the work.

"Grace first contrived the way

To save rebellious man;
And all its steps that grace display
Which drew the wondrous plan.

Grace taught my roving feet

To tread the heavenly road;
And new supplies each hour I meet,
While pressing on to God.

Grace all the work shall crown,
Through everlasting days:

It lays in heaven the topmost stone,
And well deserves the praise."

The Scriptures fully sustain the foregoing conclusions. They say, "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.) "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. 5, 6.) "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."-(1 Tim. i. 14, 15.) "For it pleased the

Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."-(Col. i. 19, 20.) "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."-(Eph. iii. 8.) "In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."-(1 John iv. 9, 10.) "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."-(John xii. 32.) "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. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Cor. xv. 24, 26.)

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Thus do the Scriptures teach that the free, immutable, eternal, infinite and impartial goodness of God, will save all men from sin, and exalt them to immortal glory.

SERMON II.

THE DOCTRINE OF ENDLESS MISERY IRRECONCILABLE WITH GOD'S PURPOSE.

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. -EPH. i. 9, 10.

It is universally acknowledged that no intelligent being can act without a purpose. This is true as it relates to men in all their different pursuits. The farmer tills his land, that he may raise the means of subsistence for himself and family.. The mechanic constructs a machine, to perform with greater facility the work it is designed to execute. The mariner crosses the tempestuous ocean, subjects himself to its dangers and hardships, that he may enrich himself with the treasures of other countries. The physician makes himself acquainted with the science of medicine, and the various diseases to which the world are subject, that he may restore the health of the sick and infirm, and render himself useful. And the divine studies the great principles of re

ligion and the various habits of men, that he may be instrumental in redeeming them from iniquity, and making them zealous of good works. And so with all men ;-they have a purpose in whatever they do. This is true both of the evil and the good, the wise and the unwise.

I may remark, also, that all the purposes of men correspond to their wisdom and goodness. The ignorant and unreflecting, not having foresight and penetration of mind, often purpose what would result in their greatest injury, and lay their plans in such a manner as to defeat the end they desire to gain.

All purposes are perfect or imperfect, according to the minds which form them.

It is the same with regard to the character of purposes. They are good or bad according to the hearts in which they originate. Hence, while the bad are laying plans to injure their neighbors, the good are laying plans to promote the happiness of those around them; while the gay are forming purposes with regard to the fashions and amusements of life, the grave are forming purposes in regard to matters of a sober character.

These remarks on purposes are as applicable to God as men; for he cannot act without a purpose; neither can he have a purpose which conflicts with his wisdom or goodness. A God of infinite wisdom cannot have an unwise purpose; neither can a God of infinite goodness have a bad purpose, or one not altogether good. As the purposes of man are perfect and good according to the perfection of his wisdom and the goodness of his heart, so are the purposes of God according to his wisdom and goodness.

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