ery of a portion of the human race, is an incident in the great scheme of mediation, not the chief or ultimate end of it. In the accomplishment of that end, the consequences of sin will be superseded; all enemies will be subdued; the divine manifestations to creatures will be perfected; and all holy beings in heaven and earth, will be brought into perfect union and fellowship with the Mediator as their Head.

The defective and erroneous views of this subject which prevail in the various systems of theology, are founded in the supposition, that the chief end of the mediatorial work was the salvation of a portion of the human race. This, instead of being regarded as but one branch of that work, though in respect to the manifestations to which it gives occasion it may be the most important branch, is regarded as the supreme and only object. The work of mediation is supposed to have commenced after the fall, and to have been merely remedial; whereas the Scriptures give it an earlier date, as well as a much more comprehensive range.

It is owing, perhaps chiefly, to these defective views, that the true place and condition of fallen man in relation to the rest of the universe, to the mediatorial government, and to the reasons and method of his recovery, are so partially apprehended. His importance in the scheme is erroneously deemed to be founded in himself, and his lapsed condition; as if that condition were his misfortune, and had in it something of the nature of a claim to be redressed. To recover him, therefore, or to recover as many of the race as possible, is, by those who hold these restricted views, conceived to be the chief and ultimate

object of the mediatorial work; and that work is supposed to be comprised in the atonement and the benefits resulting from that interposition.

Christ came indeed to save sinners, to redeem and rescue lost men from sin and Satan; to lay down his life a ransom for his people, suffering the penalty of the law in their stead; He did this pursuant to a covenant having special reference to those ransomed by Him, and in view of a reward of exaltation and joyful acquisition of a redeemed, purified and justified people, a church united to and glorified with him. Statements like these refer to one class of facts in relation to the design and results of his mission; but they do not comprehend all. In the most comprehensive references to his work, we are taught that he declared or manifested the invisible God; that he created the worlds; that he exercises all power in heaven and earth. In another aspect, it is said that he came to destroy the works of the devil.

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. He took part of flesh and blood, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage. That his death really overcame that evil spirit, who is styled the prince of this world, was declared by his resurrection, and by the gifts which in fulfillment of his promise were sent upon his apostles after his ascension."-HILL.

This subject may be illustrated by an analogy between the relations of man to the mediatorial government, considered as extending over all creatures, and

1

the relations of man in a revolted province to the civil government of an empire.

An empire may be supposed to consist of an hundred different provinces over which the imperial government is equally and impartially exercised. One or two of the provinces rebel, cast off their allegiance, enlist under another chief, are guilty of treason, and are condemned by the laws of the empire. The objects and administration of the government over the other provinces remain undisturbed; but to discourage and prevent farther defections, and to manifest the benignity and justice of the government, and the benevolence of its head, a course of extraordinary measures is introduced. The just punishment of the rebels is not instantly inflicted, but it is deferred to give place to the intended measures, while the final and aggravated execution of it upon all who persist in rebellion, is proclaimed and rendered certain. Every possible inducement to return to their allegiance is now held out to the rebels. They are treated with extreme forbearance and kindness. The example of those who continue happy in their obedience in the loyal provinces, and the fatal consequences to themselves of persevering in their rebellion, are strongly set before them. A measure is adopted by the government by which, consistently with the honor of the law, the demands of justice, and the well-being of the empire, a free pardon may be tendered to them not only for their original revolt, but for all their subsequent and aggravated acts of rebellion. The attention of the whole empire is drawn to their case. The extraordinary condescension, kindness, and perseverance of the government on the one hand, and the

unreasonableness, obstinacy, and wickedness of the rebels, on the other, almost wholly absorb the attention of the loyal provinces; and while the trial for their recovery continues, it has the aspect of an engrossing and almost exclusive object of the government, as if to reclaim those who had rebelled, and were in a state of enmity, condemned and ruined, was of more concern than any thing in the case of the loyal and obedient. The character of the government and its executive, as illustrated by the measures adopted towards the rebels, is the subject of attentive consideration and study, in contrast with the folly, wickedness and ruin of the guilty factions. These lessons of instruction and warning become the more impressive as the inefficacy of all that is done for the recovery of the fallen, is manifested; and the evil and desperate nature of rebellion is shown in the rejection of offered pardon, and the ultimate overthrow and misery of the unreclaimed.

In the meantime the government is fulfilling its proper offices, and accomplishing all its high and beneficent ends over the peaceful and happy provinces of the empire no less perfectly than if no local disorder had occurred within its limits; and when the extraordinary measures of forbearance and mercy to the rebels shall give place to their sudden overthrow and destruction, the great career of empire will go forward throughout the entire dominions of the government, as steadily and happily as prior to the revolt; and with the advantage of the lessons of wisdom, and the dissuasives from evil to which the local and temporary insurrection had given occasion.

If, in view of the overtures and measures of the

government, here and there an individual or a family of the revolted should renounce their rebellion, and become loyal and obedient, while the surrounding multitudes continued in their enmity, the case of the reclaimed would be one of extreme interest to the government and to the loyal portion of the empire. It would be seen, that in returning to their duty, they resisted manifold temptations and adverse influences; were subject to reproach and persecution from the bold and hardened rebels around them, professed their allegiance and performed their duties at the expense of temporal interests and quiet, and in the midst of hindrances and trials. Their virtues, their principles, the sincerity of their attachment to the rightful government, their fortitude and courage, would be seen to be severely tried; and the event of their struggle, their fidelity and perseverance would be observed with earnest sympathy and exultation.

So in this revolted province of the universe. The apostacy is universal, the rebellion malignant and desperate. The most stupendous interpositions and measures have been vouchsafed on the part of the Supreme Ruler, which exhibit his character and government in a light entirely new, presenting an aspect of excellence and glory, which fixes upon this scene of manifestation the attention of the unfallen throughout the universe. Here is exhibited an outbreak and a conflict on a scale, and with relations and consequences, adapted to bring into view the Divine perfections, and illustrate the principles of the Divine government, on the one hand, and the nature and deserts of sin on the other. The heavenly hosts, secure in the stability and repose of the unfallen universe, and in the resist