man race,-say ninety-nine out of each hundred,-would be eternally punished. To prove that a very small number will finally be saved, the preachers used to quote, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." "Lord are there few that be saved?" "Many are called, but few are chosen," or elected. But now, the fire and brimstone mean, forsooth, guilt and horror of conscience, and banishment from God's blissful presence. And instead of holding, that, few will be finally saved, it is now bodily maintained by all limitarian sects among us, that "many" will be saved, and very "few" be finally lost. So those texts I have just named, cannot be applied as former ments, with few exceptions. They are not Univeralists. Do not their divisions and differences, disprove the essential point of their common faith-the ceaseless torment of the wicked? If our doctrine is rendered inprobable, because we differ in some respects, theirs is rendered impossible, because they differ in many. And if Universalism may be untrue, on account of their being two parties that do not exactly fellowship cach other, then, unending misery must be false, on account of the two hundred parties among its advocates, which have disfellowshipped and persecuted each other, as though actuated by the very spirit of their doctrine. Let "those who live in glass houses" be careful how they "throw stones." I say these things merely in self-ly, unless read backwards, making out that defence, not wishing to cast any severe reflections. I might have reminded you that the disciples and apostles had their divisions and disputations, and that they commenced where the difficulties which become serious matters among the people of the same faith, generally do; (Mark ix. 33, 34.) "for by the way, they dispute among themselves who should be the greatest." This is the root of much controversy in every denomination of sincere Christians, and it causes internal broils and divisions. Sometimes there is an honest difference of opinion; but in such cases, those who have been baptized into the spirit of the gospel, can discuss the minor points at issue, without any interruption of fellowship. And you will admit, sir, that if Barnabas and Paul could have "sharp contention" of which we read in Acts xv. 38, 39, and if one apostle could withstand another to his face, and even publish to the world that "he was to be blamed" for withdrawing and separating himself from the brotherhood, and drawing a few others away by dissembling and artful insinuations; I say, if you admit these things do not form a serious objection against Christianity, neither should similar troubles among us, be adduced as evidence against Universalism, as the same system is now called. (Gal. ii. 11-14.) Inq. Certainly; but still, such contentions are greatly to be deprecated, in any denomination; and should, as far as possible, be avoided. Uni. You are right, sir, and I do assure you that so far as my influence may extend, it shall be in favour of peace, in the broad fellowship of the gospel. Inq. But, that the system of Universalism is continually undergoing alterations and improvements, I suppose you will not deny.And your opposers inquire, whether the truth can need alterations from time to time? many will find the strait gate, and but few the broad one. It is not pretended that a greater proportion of the whole human race will be damned forever, than the number of persons convicted and executed for capital crimes bears, to the whole population of a country or state! Perhaps not one in ten thousand. So that, with all the changes which Universalism has undergone, it is not so far from what is called orthodoxy, as it was thirty years ago, by a thousand fold. In regard to this point, Limitarians who were then far behind, are now approaching rapidly to Universalism. A few more such strides, and they will be fellow-soldiers under the great Captain of salvation. 2. A short time since, the doctrine of infant damnation was sometimes preached,generally believed, and universally feared, among limitarian Predestinarians. The most that I recollect to have heard said in favour of unbaptized infants, was, "We must not pry into secrets, but leave them in the hands of a merciful and just God." But Calvinism has been so materially improved, that infant damnation is discarded, and we are accused of "slander," if we say it was ever maintained. But very few hold even to infant depravity and sinfulness, and none to their annihilation or endless misery. 3. The doctrine of "election and reprobation," according to the Westminster Catechism, was taught generally since our remembrance, and the ninth chapter of Romans was quoted as proof to the point; where it is written, "God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." And the saying, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated," was adduced to prove, that "some were elected to everlasting life, and others reprobated to endless death" and dying, without any regard to their moral characters. But, who now hears any such thing? Uni. Yes, they so inquire, and you might | You can hardly get a chance to read it, in the add, they do it with little consideration. Just old systems which are becoming cbsolete, if look, sir, on the side of the accusers! Who can enumerate the alterations which the notion of endless misery has undergone? and it is still changing every year. I will just name a few points, which relate to changes that have taken place since my recollection. 1. It was the general sentiment of Limitarians but a few years ago, that HELL was a place of literal fire and brimstone, in the future state, in which a vast majority of the hu not covered with dust, as to be hardly recognizable, as the soul-torturing inventions of Augustine, Calvin, Hopkins, Edwards, Emmons, and others. Though the skeleton of the old theory is retained in modern creeds, yet the alterations and additions have been so great, that what was rank heresy and Arminianism, forty, thirty, or even twenty years ago, is reckoned as Calvinism, now. And do the clergy, who have thus transformed their own systems, jeer about changes of opinions | this world, but transformed by the renewing amongst Universalists? Unreasonable men? but I will not retort censoriously. Limitarians have enlarged their creed, from few to more, and from more to many, till their faith includes almost the whole human race. They are almost Universalists. Inq. Important considerations, truly. But you are not unaware, sir, that where prejudices run high against the scheme of universal reconciliation, almost any objection will answer. On that account I have named some things which might otherwise, have been passed over. I am constrained to come to the conclusion, that every serious objection to your system of doctrine, which I have heard, may be fairly answered and removed. It is a glorious doctrine, and should I make a public profession of it, I am resolved to endeavour to live and walk, and feel and pray, according to its holy requirements. It is injurious to a good cause, to have multitudes profess to espouse it, who in reality, believe not its doctrines, nor try to obey its moral precepts. Uni. You are right, friend Inquirer, in these remarks; and I wish to chain your attention to the fact, that unless you continue firm and settled in your resolutions, you cannot expect to enjoy great peace and felicity in the profession of this impartial doctrine. Believers must show their faith by their works. The tree is known by its fruit. It rejoices my heart to witness conversions to the truth among those, who are not only inquirers, but willing to receive the truth when it is demonstrated, and walk accordingly. Universalists are under great obligations; and if the word of reconciliation reigns in the soul, they will endeavour to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." And now, to conclude, let me enjoin it upon you, my kind friend, in the most earnest and affectionate manner, "to let your light so shine before men, that others, beholding your good works, may glorify our Father who is in heaven." If you have faith in the salvation of all men, then indeed are you happy, compared with those whose hearts have been pierced with the doctrine of endless misery. But your faith must be accompanied with good works, or, being alone, it will perish and die within you. Let me "beseech you, then, by the mercies of God, that you present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." In a word; if you believe in "the great and precious promises of God," then "give all diligence to add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you neither to be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Inq. You may rest assured, faithful friend, that it will be my constant endeavour to let my life and "conversation be, as becometh the gospel of Christ." And, althongh I may continue to regard this holy faith and these Christian virtues as the richest attainment of mortals on earth, still, I feel as though I could respect and fellowship as Christians, all who receive Jesus as the Christ of God and follow him accordingly, without any reference to the sectarian names by which they may be distin guished. Uni. I rejoice, sir, that you can heartily utter such precious words. Suffer me to respond them with equal ardour. “Whosoever be lieveth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God." Yes, though genuine conversion to Christianity was signified to the Jews by being “born again," but to the Gentiles by being "created in Christ Jesus," because the latter were turned "from dumb idols to serve the true God," as their Creator and Benefactor, yet, this middle term,“born of God," or from above, will apply to all. For "whosoever," whether Jew or Gentile, believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. And let me charge you never to forget, that "now abideth faith, hope, charity; but the greatest is CHARITY. Go thy way then, happy believer, and give practical evidence of having learned of Christ. Let thy lamp be trimmed and burning. Remember, that in this mortal state, we are but "babes in Christ"-"little children"-"and it doth not yet appear what we shall be," when we arrive at maturity. To ascertain that fact, let us wait patiently, "till we ALL COME in the UNITY of the FAITH, and the KNOWLEDGE of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT MAN; to the MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS OF CHRIST." *1 John v. 1; John iii. 3. 7; and Ep. ii. 10 THE END. |