the Gospel has not come, cannot walk according to it, and are not, therefore, to be judged by it. For what is it that brings, or on whom is pronounced, the sentence of condemnation? The Lord answers: "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John iii. 19.) From which it is plain that there can be no condemnation where the light has not come; for condemnation consists in a rejection of the light when offered. Neither is sin imputed to those who err through ignorance; for the Lord further says: "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin." (John xv. 22.) And that, in the day of final adjudication every one will be held accountable for only that measure of truth which has been vouchsafed him, is plain from these words of the Lord: "And that servant who knew his Lord's will, and prepared not, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him will they ask the more." (Luke xii. 47, 48.) Equally conclusive, too, is the apostle's testimony, and clearly teaching the very same doctrine: "Of a truth," he says, "I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." (Acts x. 34, 35.) Which is virtually saying that there are some righteous and God-fearing people in every nation, and that all such will be saved.
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