Page:Wonderful conferences which passed between the ghost of Mr. Maxwell of Cool, and the Rev. Mr. Ogilvy of Innerwick (NLS104187038).pdf/9

 it: On the other hand, there are ſome who may be ſaid, rather not to have been good, than that they were wicked, while living; their ſtate is not eaſily diſtinguiſhed from that of the former, and under that great claſs comes a great herd of ſouls, a vaſt number of ignorant people, who have not much minded the affairs of eternity, but at the ſame time, have lived in much indolence, ignorance, and innocence.

Ogil.] I always thought that their rejecting the terms of ſalvation offered, was a ſufficient ground for God to puniſh them with his eternal diſpleaſure, and as to their ignorance, that could never excuſe them, ſince they lived in a place of the world where the knowledge of theſe things might eaſily have been attained.

Cool.) They never properly rejected the terms of ſalvation, they never, ſtrictly ſpeaking, rejected Chriſt: Poor ſouls! they had as great a liking both to him and heaven, as their groſs imaginations were capable of. Impartial reaſon muſt have many allowances; as the ſtupidity of their parents, want of education, diſtance from people of good ſenſe and knowledge, and uninterrepted application, they were obliged to give their ſecular affairs for their daily bread, the impious treachery of their paſtors, who perſuaded them, it they were of ſuch a party, all was well, and many other conſiderations, which God,