Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/189

Rh in which God takes pleasure? "God does not take pleasure in destruction, sir." What, sir, and make individuals on purpose to destroy them? and Almighty too—Ruling in Heaven above, and in earth beneath, as seemeth in his sight good? Do you dare say, if you had power, no fellow creature should be lost; and dare you suppose, that He, who hath all power, both in heaven and in earth, hath not so much love as you, a finite being? Will He say to you, Love your enemies, do good to those, who hate you, and pray for those, who despitefully use you,—and will He not do likewise? shall the disciple be above his Master, and the servant above his Lord? He answered with a sigh: "I cannot argue with you, sir, that last observation has weight." Ah, sir! I continued, would that every individual were more intimately acquainted with that most elevating subject, the love of God to man, the never-beginning, never-ending love of God to man. This, sir, is a species of knowledge, which doth not puff up; but it lifts up, as on eagles' wings, ever mounting, never tiring, but still discovering, new wonders, through the wasteless ages of eternity. But man, poor, fallen man, who in his present state is enmity against God, is ever measuring the love and compassion of Deity, by his own scanty rule. Nay, by a rule, which he would blush to acknowledge. I have frequently said, that there is not a person of character upon this continent, who would bear to be delineated, whatever character he sustains, as he thinks and speaks of the Most High. What father would choose to be supposed deficient in providing, to the extent of his power, every requisite aid for the beings he has been instrumental in introducing into existence? It is confessed by all, that God is Almighty; that he is a sovereign; that he can do, and will do, as he pleases; and that no power can resist his will. It is also said, That he willeth not the death, the eternal death, of the sinner; that he willeth, that man should be saved; that he hath appointed, and therefore sends out his servants to warn mankind, to call them to eternal blessedness, to persuade them to come, that all things are now ready. All this looks like love in God. But we are informed, the people, called, have no knowledge of God; that they are enmity against God, and that, not from a persuasion that God was, in Christ, reconciling them to himself, but because they do not know this, and therefore do not believe it; that no man can come unto the Father, but by Jesus; that no man can come unto Jesus, except the Father draw him; and that all, who learn of the Father, come unto Jesus; and all, who come unto him, he will in no wise cast out. Are multitudes cast out forever? Then it is because they were not taught of God; for if they