Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/167

Rh furnish a song, which, although never ending, will be ever new. "If such be your views, you know nothing at all of gospel." You could not so absolutely determine this matter, if you yourself were not acquainted with the meaning of the term, gospel. Tell me then, sir, if you please, what is gospel? "Why, sir, this is gospel: He, that believeth, shall be saved, and he, that believeth not, shall be damned." Indeed, sir, I had thought, the literal, simple meaning of the term gospel was, glad tidings. Which part of the passage, you have cited, is gospel, that which announces salvation, or that which announces damnation? "Well then, if you please, this is gospel: He, that believeth, shall be saved." Believeth what, sir? "That." What, sir? "That, I tell you." What, sir? "That, I tell you: He, that believeth, shall be saved." Believeth what, sir? What is he to believe? "Why that, I tell you." I wished, sir, to treat this investigation seriously; but, as you seem to be disposed to be rather ludicrous, we will, if you please, dismiss the subject. "No, sir, I do not mean to be ludicrous; I am very serious." Well, sir, if so, then I beg leave to ask, what is it I am to believe; the believing of which, will save me? "That Jesus Christ made it possible for sinners to be saved." By what means? "By believing." Believing what? "That." What? "That Jesus Christ made it possible for sinners to be saved." By what means is it possible sinners may be saved? "By believing, I tell you." But the devils believe; will their believing save them? "No, sir." Suppose I believe, that Jesus Christ made it possible to save sinners; will that save me? "No, sir." Then, sir, let me ask, what am I to believe, the believing of which will save me? "Why, sir, you must believe the gospel, that Jesus made it possible for sinners to be saved." But by what means? "By believing." Believing what? "That, I tell you."

Mr. H could not but be conscious the ground he had taken was untenable. Had he answered in scripture language, that the truth to be believed, and which we make God a liar by not believing, was, that Christ had given himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time; that he had absolutely tasted death for every man; and that every man should be made alive in Christ Jesus, &c. &c. the inference was unavoidable, nor man, nor devil could undo, what God had done; the power exists not, which can set aside the decrees of God. If the Redeemer did not taste death for all; if He has not purchased all; then those, for whom He has not tasted death, whom He has not purchased, have no right to believe He has; and were they so to believe, they must indubitably believe a lie. But, finding the temper of Mr. H rise