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the two preceding chapters, we have sought to obviate difficulties in reference to the Divine Wisdom and Goodness, arising, from the existence of evils in man, in nature, and in society. It now remains to consider objections of a different class, namely, such as are derived from Scripture itself, God's revealed Word. Here, at least, it might be said, we should expect to find the most unequivocal declarations of God's wisdom and goodness,—the most positive proofs, in His manner of addressing and dealing with His creatures, that He is a Being of pure love and mercy, as well as of infinite wisdom and power. And, indeed, such proofs and declarations are found inscribed on every page of Holy Writ: they abound throughout the Scriptures, as has been fully shown in a previous chapter. But, on the other hand—as may be and as often has been objected—there are declarations, also, of an opposite character; there are statements in regard both to the sayings and doings of Jehovah, which at least appear to imply a nature the reverse of gentle and merciful; or, at any rate, a mixed character, sometimes kind and good, sometimes harsh and vindictive. And a consideration of these things has tended, in many instances, either to induce on the mind of the firm believer in the Scriptures an idea of God as a