he manner of the
divine perceptions. The distance between God and us, is infinitely
greater than between us and creatures of the lowest grade. It is
therefore impossible for us to make deductions from the divine
perceptions, or determine any thing about them. When tempted to it we
should remember the caution given by Zophar,--"Canst thou by searching
find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection? It is
high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou
know?" *

* Job xi. 7, 8.

But as the whole human race are sinners, deserving only of punishment,
is not God at liberty to choose from among them, whom he pleaseth to
sanctify and save, and pass by, and leave whom he pleaseth, to punish
in their sins?

We have no claim on divine justice. All mankind might have been left
to perish. But they are not thus left of God, He hath found a ransom;
and offers salvation to all. No differences will be eventually made
among men without reasons. And the reasons will be in them--_For there
is no respect of persons with God_.

But suppose two persons to be equally guilty and deserving of
condemnation, may not God make one of them a vessel of mercy, and the
other a vessel of wrath? Would the latter have occasion to complain?
Or could injustice be charged on God?

We should not dare to charge him with injustice, did we know such a
case to happen--neither do we presume to determine what God hath
aright to do. But we are sure that no such case ever will happen--that
God will not make an eventual difference in those who are alike, for
_there is no respect of persons with God_.

Some may find mercy who may appear to us less guilty than some others
who may perish in their sins. But it belongs not to us to estimate
comparative guilt. It requires omniscience. "The judge of all the
earth will do right."

INFERENCES

Mankind are here on trial. Different talents are committed to them.
God acts as a sovereign in apportioning betrustments, and will observe
exact impartiality in adjusting retributions.

The idea of talents implies ability to improve them. Gospel
applications speak such to be our state--they are adopted to no other
state.

The fatalist, and those who conceive every human volition and
action to be the effect of divine agency, have no rational motive, to
do, or suffer for religion. "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we
die."

However we may amuse ourselves with idle speculations, this li