Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/258

248 which erst times pierced him through with many sorrows. But he was redeemed, the price was paid, ere ever he was called into existence. Thus, in this view, redemption and salvation are distinct considerations.

The Preacher unhesitatingly believed, all who learned of the Father would come to Jesus, and that all would finally be taught of God. He was a decided believer in the doctrine of angels of light, and angels of darkness, of ministering spirits of light, and of demons stimulating to deeds of darkness. He looked forward to a judgment to come, when countless numbers, among the children of men, would rise to the resurrection of damnation, and, ignorant of the genuine character of the Redeemer, would call upon the rocks and mountains to fall upon them, and hide them from the ; and, believing himself a humble instrument in the hand of God, ordained by Him to the ministry of reconciliation, he was never so completely happy, as when declaring the gospel to be believed; and calling upon men, every where, to receive the glad tidings of salvation. He was persuaded that those, who lied down in sorrow, would continue unhappy wanderers, until the opening of that book, in which every human being, every member of Christ was written; yet he had no idea of any purgation for sin, save what was suffered by Christ Jesus, who, by Himself, purged our sins. Writing of Mr. Winchester to a friend, Mr. Murray thus expressed himself, "Mr. Winchester is full with Mr. Law, and of course preaches purgatorial satisfaction. According to these gentlemen, every man must finally be his own Saviour! If I must suffer as much, in my own person, as will satisfy divine justice, how is, or how can Christ Jesus be, my Saviour? If this purgatorial doctrine be true, the ministry of reconciliation, committed to the Apostles, must be false; "to wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing unto them their trespasses." In fact, I know no persons further from Christianity, genuine Christianity, than such Universalists."

Mr. Murray supposed the inquietude of unembodied, or departed spirits, a natural effect, derived from a cause. As unbelievers, they cannot see the things which belong to their peace; but he greatly rejoiced, that however at present enveloped in darkness, there were, and are, things that did and do belong to their peace, that the day cometh, when whatsoever is hid shall be revealed, and, that at the period of the restitution of all things, the word, the oath of Jehovah was pledged, that every eye should see, and every tongue confess. The Preacher was persuaded that a few, even in the present dispensation, were elected out of the world, to embrace the truth, previous to their passing out of time.