cumstances, can in any way be conceived of as reasons for another ransom or a further trial for any beyond the Mil- lennial age.
The ransom given does not excuse sin in any; it does not propose to count sinners as saints, and usher them thus into everlasting bliss. It merely releases the accepting sinner from the first condemnation and its results, both diredl and indirect, and places him again on trial for life, in which trial his own wilful obedience or wilful disobedience will decide whether he may or may not have life everlasting.
Nor should it be assumed, as so many seem disposed to as- sume, that all those who live in a state of civilization, and see or possess a Bible, have thus a full opportunity or trial for life. It must be remembered that the fall has not injured all of Adam's children alike. Some have come into the world so weak and depraved as to be easily blinded by the god of this world, Satan, and led captive by besetting and surrounding sin ; and all are more or less under this influ- ence, so that, even when they would do good, evil is pres- ent and more powerful through surroundings, etc., and the good which they would do is almost impossible, while the evil which they would not do is almost unavoidable.
Small indeed is the number of those who in the present time truly and experimentally learn of the liberty where- with Christ makes free those who accept of his ransom, and put themselves under his control for future guidance. Yet only these few, the Church, called out and tried beforehand for the special purpose of being co-workers with God in blessing the world witnessing now, and ruling, blessing and judging the world in its age of trial yet enjoy to any extent the benefits of the ransom, or are now on trial foi life. These few have reckoned to them (and they receive tyfaftX) all the blessings of restitution which will be pro- vided for the world during the coming age. These, though
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