ough ever so
partially, will not loose the benefit of it. Proportioned to its
nature, and the degree of rectitude found in it, it will deduct from
the punishment which the want of it would have occasioned. The
condemned will stand speechless before the judge--have no reason to
offer why judgment should not be executed upon them. By the clear
manifestation of their guilt, and the impartial justice of God, they
will be constrained to acknowledge the perfect fairness and equity,
yea, the moral necessity of the sentence by which the last gleam of
their hope will be extinguished!

Thus will both the mercies and judgments of God be justified of all,
when he _shall bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make
manifest the counsels of the hearts_.

* * * * * *

SERMON XVII.

God willing that all Men should be saved.

1 Timothy ii. 4.

"Who will have all Men to be saved,--."

In verse first, the apostle directs "prayers and thanksgivings to be
made for all men;"--which he declares to "be good and acceptable in
the sight of God our Savior; _who will have all men to be saved_." Had
salvation been provided for only a part of the human race, prayer and
thanksgivings could have been, consistently made only for a part.
Those for whom no provision was made, would be in like state with
persons who have committed the sin unto death, for whom St. John
intimates prayer is not to be offered up. "There is a sin unto death;
I do not say that he shall pray for it." But such is naturally the
state of none of the children of Adam. Divine goodness is extended to
all, and salvation offered to them; therefore is prayer and praise to
be offered up for all men.

It is now proposed, _briefly to consider the divine goodness expressed
in the text--Who will have all men to be saved--then some abuses of
the revelation which is made of this goodness to mankind_.

I. We _are to consider the divine goodness here expressed--Who will
have all men to be saved_.

The salvation intended, is that of the soul. This comprehends
deliverance from merited sufferings, and the bestowment of happiness
which is the contrast of it.

The provision which is made for the comfort and happiness of mankind
in this life, evinces strange goodness in God. When we consider what
man was made of God, and what he hath made himself, the divine
benevolence here displayed, is wonderful! Strange that man was not
destroyed and blotted out from among God's