Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/185

Rh on my arrival, a summons to pass the evening with the Rev. Mr. Snow was presented me; I delayed not to attend him, and I was accompanied by Mr. Binney, a young gentleman of great promise. Mr. Snow's parlour was nearly filled by the members of his church and congregation. A long and solemn pause succeeded the usual ceremonies of introduction; Mr. Snow at length broke silence by observing:—"We are, sir, perfectly aware, that by far the greater part of the town are anxious to hear you; and, as our house is the most convenient, we presume application will be made for its use. But, since you were last here, a few of our members have heard strange reports respecting you: (viz.) That you believe all mankind will finally be saved; and that the new birth is not in us, but in Christ. I have, therefore, thought proper to call together several of my church, that they may have an opportunity of speaking to you, and determining whether they think proper to open their doors. Do you, sir, believe that all mankind will be saved?" I believe, Jesus Christ is the Saviour of all men; that, by the grace of God, he tasted death for every man; that he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world; and that God was, in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing unto them their trespasses. "Well, and do you believe, that all are saved?" Not as unbelievers; they, who believe not, are damned. "How then are they interested in Jesus?" Precisely as they were in the first Adam. But all are not interested in Jesus, as they were in the first Adam." How then doth it appear, that as, by the offence of one man, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men to justification of life? "And do you, sir, believe that, in consequence of this, all will be finally happy?" Do you, sir, believe all who learn of the Father will be happy? "O yes." And do you believe all will be taught of God, and come to Jesus, and be saved? "No, indeed." Do ministers in general believe this? "No, we know they do not." Why then do they pray for it? Do they not pray, that God would hasten the happy time, when he shall bring in his antient people, the Jews, and with them the fulness of the Gentiles; that all the kingdoms of the world may become the kingdoms of God and of His Christ; that they may all be taught of God from the least unto the greatest? For this, and much more, clergymen repeatedly pray: and can we suppose they are dealing hypocritically with their God? are they such monsters of impiety, as to solicit, for what, they believe the Almighty had determined, before the foundation of the world, he would never grant? A profound pause succeeded; after which, I was asked: "Do you, sir, believe the