word of Jehovah. If it were necessary we might add more. Christ says to Lazarus, who had been dead four days," Come forth❞—to the man who had the withered hand, "stretch forth thine hand"--to the palsied, "take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." Instances of this kind are common. But according to this doctrine, what propriety was there in giving such commands? If those impotent folks had been disposed to reason as the Methodists do, they might have said to Jesus, "you insult us, by commanding us to do that which you know we have no power to perform." But the truth was, he who had the king's heart in his hand as the rivers of water, and turneth it whithersoever he will, he gave them a disposition to attempt obedience, and when they did so, divine power went with the command, and enabled them to obey.

Again, we do not argue in this way, if a man has borrowed money of his neighbour, and wantonly squandered it, so that he has nothing to pay the debt; we do not say in that case, that the creditor has no right to demand payment. Besides, repentance unto life requires, not only that a sinner refrain from sin, but that he absolutely hate it. Accordingly we do not say that a drunkard is excused for loving his cups, because he hath been a drunkard a long time. Therefore, until a man can be found whose soul is not already corrupted by sin, their argument is sophistical. We hope the

humble reader will believe, that the Lord himself is the best reasoner, and knows best what will be most for his own glory, and the good of his government.

3dly. They say that God has given to every man a measure of light and saving grace: we will now compare this with the Bible. This

is also another branch of the freewill system, and depends very much for its support on those two points of doctrine which we have already reviewed in this section.

The General Conference say, “I only assert that there is a measure of free will supernaturally restored to every man, together with the supernatural light, which lightens every man that cometh into the world."* Again, "For this end he hath given to every man a measure of light and grace." Also, I shall add one proof more that all men have a measure of saving grace."

Pope, (to the unconverted.) " Assisted and strengthened as you are by the lights of faith and grace.§"

Bible. 2 Cor. iv. 4. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that be lost, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine into them." They say that every man has a measure of this light and sayDitto. p. 80.

* Tract 5, p. 144. † Ditto. p. 68. Man's Only Affair, p. 35.

H

ing grace; but the Bible says it is hid from them that be lost. Luke x. 11. "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,―[what for?]-that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. [Now let the Father give his reasons for this his partial dealings among his creatures.] "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight." Matt. xiii. 11. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.' The Methodists say, it is given to all. Mark iv. 11, 12. " And he said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to them that are without, all things are done in parables; [what is that for?] that seeing they might see and not perceive, and hearing they might hear and not understand; [what would be the consequence, if it was given to them to see, and hear, and understand, as it was to you?] lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins be forgiven."

1 Cor. i. 18.

"For the preaching of the cross of Christ is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us, that are saved, it is the power of God." If they have a measure of this light, why cannot they see the beauty of the gospel, as well as the others?

Rom. xi. 7. "What then, Israel hath not

obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election bath obtained it ;-[and what of the rest?]-the rest were blinded.' What, blinded!

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when every man has a measure of light and saving grace? yes, according as it is written God hath given them the spirit of slumber; eyes that they should not see, and ears, that they should not hear, unto this day." Yes, and we may add, the same nation continues so, even unto this day.

Brethren, perhaps we are grieved as much as any people, to see the destruction of our fellow-sinners; and rejoice as much as others do, to hear of their conversion and salvation. But, while we see that God has it in his power to deal with sinful men as he pleases, we dare not rise in rebellion against him, and call him a liar, and deceiver, &c., because he does not exert the utmost of his power, and save them all. We trust to his wisdom and goodness, and believe that he knows best how many it will be proper to enlighten and save.

Again, John xii. 40. "He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts; and be converted, and I should heal them." Notwithstanding this, Jesus commanded his Apostles to go and preach the gospel to these Jews; and even to preach it to them first. But because we assert that God has determined not to give special grace and salvation to all men, and yet has commanded us to preach the

gospel to them all, the General Conference have indirectly called us blasphemers, in many instances; and have laid awful charges against the holy Jesus, provided what he has here asserted should be true.

Further there is the whole nation of the Jews, old and young, male and female, who have not got this light, which, they say, lightens every man that cometh into the world. If this should be a special curse inflicted on this people for their ancient sin as a nation, we ask, why should God cause their children to grow up in darkness? Most surely he can prevent it; hear what he says, 2 Cor. iii. 15, 16. "But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is on their hearts; nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away" therefore, it appears that God can remove this blindness whenever he pleases

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But they are not the only people destitute of this light and saving grace, which the Methodists say every man has. Isa viii. 20. "To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Do all men speak according to the law and the testimony? if not, the Lord says, there is no light in them. 1 John ii. 11.

"He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth, because darkness hath blinded his eyes." Now, who is this, that hateth his brother? The same writer clearly explains him