natural generation; which we may do, as St. Paul did, by being crucified with Christ, or by natural death as the unregenerate do. But if by the law comes Eternal Misery-then St. Paul was subject to it, for he through the law, was dead to the law— which is its consummation, for by the law came death.

iii. 13.

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."

Had we not passed under the curse of the law, we could not be redeemed from it: then it has, in some measure, been executed upon all of us. Now the torments of hell, as they are imagined by those who hold Eternal Misery, have not been felt either by us or our Saviour; but the alienation of the Holy Spirit has, by Him, and must be by us, before we can enter into bliss; that then is the curse which He bore for us, and from continuance under which, he hath redeemed us.

22. "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."

Here the same idea is expressed; it is not that all are liable at some future time to be condemned. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin; and why?"That the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe;" which could not be done until the law was satisfied, until the justice of God was vindicated, His truth established; and this could be only by all dying in the sense in which it was said, "Thou shalt surely die." Then Jesus, by whom are all things, could regenerate as many as he would. And to whom is the promise given?" To them that believe."

iv. 27.

"For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now."

In this passage I suppose that Sarah is meant by the barren, and Isaac represents the children of the promise, as typifying those born after the spirit. Now in what sense can it be said, that those born after the spirit are many more than those born after the flesh? It can only be because one shall perish, whilst the other shall endure; since, if both are equal in duration, in no age of the world could it be said, that the children of promise exceed in number the children of the flesh.

v. 2.

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

By grace, I should understand that spiritual life within us, which, if maintained, will issue in Eternal Happiness. Those who trust in circumcision are fallen from this state; yet St. Paul contents hintself with dwelling on the loss they will sustain, and alludes not to any suffering they will incur.

12. "I would they were even cut off which trouble you."

St. Paul could not have formed or uttered this wish, if their Eternal Misery was included in it.

19.

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20. Idolatry, witcheraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law."

Again he speaks negatively of those who commit the most atrocious sins-" They shall not inherit the kingdom of God." We must think St. Paul Jike the preacher who thought hell a place not fit to be mentioned to so polite a congregation.

vi. 7. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting."

Here St. Paul puts corruption in opposition to life everlasting, and that because one cometh of the flesh and the other of the spirit. Now an eternal state to arise out of the corruption of the flesh, seeins to me like a pyramid inverted, which the slightest touch will overthrow.

Epistle to the Ephesians, c. 1. v. 10. "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are in earth; even in Him. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the pur pose of Him who worketh all things after the

counsel of His own will. 12. That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory."

I think it is impossible to do justice to this text, on the doctrine of Eternal Misery; for to gather all things, whilst millions of human beings are excluded, is impossible; and that they shall all be gathered consistently with Scripture, requires that the wicked cease to be.

17. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the Spiritof wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance of the saints. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power; 20. Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22. And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church. 23. Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all."

The glowing and emphatic language here used, forbid the idea that St. Paul would allude to the opposite state in negatives merely, if it was one of Eternal Misery, and that to which the great bulk of those to whom his writings would descend would be subject; for St. Paul knew that " many are called but few chosen ;" and "with the terrors of the Lord he did persuade men."

ii. 1. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobe dience: 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in time past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind: and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved): 6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast: 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that wę should walk in them. 11. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens