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This inference is also confirmed by facts. The effects of the Fall, both natural and moral, undoubtedly extend to all nations; yet there is likewise the same capability of repentance to be discovered in all. Even Greenlanders and Hottentots may be brought to the knowledge of Christ. But if there be this capability in all men for receiving the remedy, then, it is a plain intimation, that the remedy was designed for all; nor can any man avoid this conclusion, but by resorting to the doctrine of eternal and irrespective decrees.

of his Discourses on Prophecy, p. 287. Consult Annotations of Natural and Revealed Theology, Part I. Sect. 9-12.

SECTION III.

The Promise.

As punishment had been inflicted on the first pair of human beings in their federal character, as the common progenitors of mankind; so was the hope and promise of its mitigation and pardon conferred upon them in the same capacity. "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Gen. iii. 15.*

Now, it should be distinctly remembered, that this promise was given at a period, not only when Adam had no children born,

* If we consider the first Prophecy as the foundation of their hopes, in which all the sons of Adam have an interest; in which the ages yet to come, as well as the present and those already past, are concerned, we shall not wonder to find that the administrations of Providence have in all ages relation to this Prophecy, and shall have, till the end of all things brings with it the appointed time of the full accomplishment.— Sherlock on Prophecy, p. 77.

but before any had been begotten by him. Hence, Cain and all men have come into the world, not in the state of Adam immediately after the Fall, but in the state that he was after he had received the promise Hence, we infer, that none are born in a state of damnation, but that all are born under the protection of the promise; i. e. in a salvable condition, and under the covenant of Grace.

This inference is amply confirmed by the general declaration of Scripture, as will be shown in the progress of our enquiries. For the present, it is sufficient to remember a single passage-" As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

SECTION IV.

Cain and Abel.

THAT our first parents had cheerful hopes of their progeny, is confirmed by the exclamation of Eve on the birth of Cain, her first-born child:-"I have gotten a man from the Lord." Gen. iv. 1.—words, which however dubious, in their critical meaning, must be interpreted so as to denote the cheerful expectations of Eve.

That such expectations were not realized, makes nothing against our argument. We do not undertake to prove the actual, but the possible salvation of all men. Now, that Cain was not rendered naturally incapable of partaking the promised blessing, is evident from the Divine Remonstrance :

"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" Gen. iv. 7.

Cain and Abel were like any other two children of the same family, one of whom shall turn out well, and the other ill; one

of whom shall, from his youth, discover wicked, revengeful, malicious propensities, whilst the other is amiable and benevolent. Is there any thing surprising in this contrast; any thing which obliges us to resort to the solution of a Divine decree? It seems to be the natural consequence of a state of free agency, in which there are contrary and conflicting desires of good and evil-" the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit lusting against the flesh."

"Cain was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's were righteous." 1 John iii. 12. This is a plain and intelligible account. But it gives no sanction to the doctrine of an eternal and irrespective decree concerning him.

Still further to confirm this reasoning, it should be remembered, that Cain, evil as he was, had ample time granted for repentance; and that, when remorse had driven him to despair, and his atrocity had exposed his life" to any one who might

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