saved according to mercy, Titus iii. 5; and God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved them, even when they were dead in sins, quickened such together with Christ, and thus it is manifested, that by grace are they saved. When we consider the character of those who were chosen, that among them are found some of the greatest of human sinners, we must acknowledge the mercy to be rich and free; when we remember that these were chosen in preference to others, when all were foreseen as alike miserable, the mercy is felt to be distinguishing and sovereign; when the scripture testimony is received, that this chosen body consists of a great multitude which no man can number, mercy appears plenteous and abounding; and when the heart muses on the glory to which they are raised, mercy appears astonishing, yea, overwhelming.

It will be readily conceded on all hands, that towards those interested in this electing love, a stupendous display of mercy is made; but many feel an alarm for the honor of divine mercy, as a perfection of God, and consider that its rights are compromised, and its energies fettered by this doctrine. But if the only book by which we know any thing concerning mercy, and through whose instrumentality any obtain mercy, plainly declares that mercy shall be thus displayed; then ought we not, without objecting, without reasoning, to receive its testimony, and not try to affix any other than the plain and obvious meaning to its declarations on this subject.

The most cursory observer can but notice, that in the bestowment of the means of mercy

there has been, and still is, what man would call partiality. Were not the Jews for many ages the proprietors of the oracles of grace, the only nation among whom God dwelt propitiously, enthroned on a mercy seat, and were not the Gentiles left to wander in darkness? And was there no sovereignty in this? Look at the present condition of the world, and say, is it more mysterious that God should choose one to life and not another, than that he should throw over Britain, age after age, a flood of gospel light, and leave China with her hundreds of millions in gross darkness? It is evident that the apostle saw righteous sovereignty displayed in the different dispensations of God, and in the dealings of God with nations; hence he adoringly said, in concluding his discourse on the rejection of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out."

The wisdom of God evidently anticipated that objections would be made against this part of the divine arrangements, and provided an answer to, and a question for, the objectors; "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? Rom. ix. 20. Surely our only business is to ascertain what God hath spoken, and bow to his decisions, "for shall not the judge of all the earth do right? No one can say why God did not choose more, or why he did not take all, or why he chose man in preference to angels. All we can say is, even so, Father, for so it seemed

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good in thy sight." But this we think may with confidence be asserted, that if God had left his mercy to the choice of all men, instead of securing its triumphs over some, none would have been saved. The advocate of personal election may therefore plead, "I believe the doctrine of sovereign choice, because the scriptures reveal it; I also receive it, because my reason approves of it. All would have been lost had none been elected, so that I infinitely prefer God's election to man's will." There can be

no doubt but that God hath sufficient reasons for doing just as he hath done; and that the number of the saved as well the method of their salvation, is all "to the praise of the glory of his own great name.

This glorious and scriptural doctrine has suf

"You

*Mr. Winter was once in company with a person who spoke violently against the doctrine of election. believe election," said Mr. Winter, "as firmly as I do." "I deny it," answered the other; "on the contrary, it is a doctrine I detest." "Do you believe that all men will be saved on the last day, or some only ?" "Only some." "Do you imagine that those some will be found to have saved themselves ?" No, certainly, God in Christ is the only Saviour of sinners." "But God could have saved the rest, could he not? "No doubt." "Then salvation is peculiarly to the saved?" "To be sure." "And God saves them designedly, and not against his will?" "Certainly.' "And willingly suffers the rest to perish, though he could easily have hindered it ?" "It should seem so." Then if this is not election, it amounts to the same thing."

WHITENOSS'S ANECDOTES.

If a person allows God the possession of foreknowledge, holiness, blessedness, and omnipotence, we do not see but that for substance, he must believe in the doctrine of personal and eternal election.

fered much in the estimation of many who are truly sincere, by its being improperly associated and harshly stated; thus have its glories been obscured, enemies have been furnished with arguments, and weak souls have been stumbled. It stands connected not with merit, but favor; not with injustice, but sovereignty; not with foreseen free-will, but with appointed means; not with proud presumption, but with humble faith; not with changing time, but a dateless eternity; not with reprobation, but equity and righteousness. How the testimony in Rom. viii. 29, 30, can be successfully gainsayed, we know not: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." What shall we then say to these things, but fall in the dust, and admire the riches of eternal mercy. Man chose sin, and hell follows; God chooses sinners, and glory follows; God's choice dispossesses us of our own. "Let us then give all diligence, to make our calling and election sure;" then shall we "rejoice, because our names are written in heaven." We sympathize (says one) with the purposes of man, in proportion as we become manly; so shall we with the purposes of God, in proportion as we become godly.

2. There is another light in which God's eternal purposes may be viewed in connection with his mercy. We have seen that God was always merciful, it therefore follows, that from all eter

nity he decreed to make just such a revelation of himself as he hath made. "How is the gospel (says Charnock) an edition of God's heart, as it wrought from eternity, an unfolding and opening of his bowels, which lay secretly yearning." He determined to make certain promises, give certain invitations, and use certain expostulations, and behold he hath done so; but it is no new thing with him. Are you stumbled at the doctrine of election? Are you afraid you are not elected? You have in reality nothing to do with this at present. God speaks to you by his word, he invites you to come; he promises" that whosoever calls on his name shall be saved;" he makes no restrictions; why should you? He is infinitely sincere, doubt it not; but venture on his word, and obey the sweet invitation of eternal mercy.

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III. Consider mercy in connection with the authority and moral government of God. God is an almighty and independent being, he can do what he pleases; none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou ?” He is also a wise and holy being, and will do nothing but what is perfectly right, himself being judge. All strength and authority belong to him; "he ruleth according to his will among the armies of heaven, and the inhabitants of the earth." To him all rational beings are responsible, and from his hand they shall all receive according to their works. The material universe he sways by his almighty power; the animate but irrational creation he governs by wisdom; implanting instinct in their natures; but his moral creation he governs in a different way. This last may be di