Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/121

Rh life may be cultivated by men of every religion in the known world. For the internal or invisible church of the Lord is universally extended, however narrow may be the limits of the external or visible church; including all, wherever dispersed, who live conscientiously and uprightly, according to the best of their understanding and judgment. But at the same time it must be admitted, that the heavenly principle is not the same in one as in another, but that it differs according to the difference of affection, which each one bears to what is good and true. With the Christian, who is blessed with a more direct knowledge of the true God, it may be more pure and genuine, than with the Heathen, who is ignorant of him. And yet there is reason to believe, that many of the latter description will find a more ready entrance into the kingdom of heaven hereafter, than some who have been better instructed, but who, knowing their Master's will, have neglected to do it. This is also plainly declared by our Lord in these following words: "I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness," Matt. viii. 11, 12. Luke xiii. 28, 29. We may therefore safely conclude, and rejoice in the prospect thus opened to the mind, that adequate means of salvation are, by the divine mercy and providence of the Lord, extended to all of the human race without exception; and consequently that men of every persuasion or denomination upon the face of the earth, whether they be Christians, Jews, Mahometans, or Pagans, may be saved, if they live in mutual love and charity from religious motives, according to the best of their knowledge and