Page:The Last Judgement and Second Coming of the Lord Illustrated.djvu/188

 176 THE LAST JUDGMENT. AND

are to be perpetuated. A special argument for the continuance of the human race drawn from the circumstance of the Lord's assumption of humanity, and the redemption of mankind.

the preceding chapter we have endeavoured to show from the Word, and from considerations in relation to the Divine character, that the earth will endure for ever. We now proceed to follow up that conclusion with evidence and argument to show that the human race will never cease. The two points are intimately connected, and necessary to be understood before we can form a right estimate of what is written concerning the last judgment and the second coming of the Lord.

The non-cessation of mankind is, no doubt, a new position to ordinary theology, but is an old one in the catalogue of truth. If it be a fact that the earth is to remain for ever, there must be a Divine purpose for it; and what purpose is so worthy of a wise and merciful God as that of continuing the existence of a race whom He has created to be an image and likeness of Himself. The two points are closely associated. If the earth were dissolved, mankind must certainly perish; but if the earth is to be preserved, it is reasonable to conclude that their existence will be continued. An examination of the Word, and wisdom which is implied in the merciful attentions of God to that which He has created, will aid us in establishing this view upon no uncertain basis.

It will be useful at the outset to observe that those who affirm the world will pass away, are compelled to admit that a new earth will be created; but there is not the slightest intimation that this new earth will be destroyed. This, then, may be taken as evidence of God's intention to perpetuate our race; for why continue a new earth if it were not for such a purpose? But this is not left to inference