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    is very true that ill the former editions of the Divine Government , I did not enter into any proof of this most essential point . I do confess that in the simplicity of my heart , I did not "

    surmise it could be called in question . la the nineteenth century , in England , in this age and country of religion and philosophy , I was addressing Christians , and I did not suppose that any one would deny the position , that , under the administration of a God of

    infinite power , of unerring wisdom , and of perfect goodness , evil is the means of producing good . Since , however , this position is denied , and since it is distinctly admitted by the opponents of the doctrine ot Universal Restorationthat this

    doctrine must follow of course , if that position can be established , I have now entered into the proof of it . In the new edition of the Divine Government , which will be published probably as soon as this article appears , I have stated that proof at length .

    Believing too , as I most sincerely and firmly believe , that , taken in its whole extent , this is a subject with which the virtue and happiness of mankind are more intimately connected than with any other whatever , I

    have also entered into a more comprehensive and careful investigation of the origin , the nature and the tendency of evil in general . I have considered separately and in detail the several classes of evil , namely , natural and moral evil , and the evils which have hitherto been

    found inseparable lrom the social state , namely , poverty , dependence and servitude . " I have endeavoured to shew why these evils exist ixi the creation of a Being of almighty power , of infinite wisdom , and of perfect goodness . I have endeavoured to lead the mind to

    the calm and serious consideration of principles which seem adequate to divest it of doubt , where doubt must be unhappincss , and to conduct it to a conclusion which , if once embraced from conviction , must secure it from misery . "

    1 have also read with great attention the work of Dr . Jonathan . Edwards , entitled « The Salvation of all Men strictly examined , " which is , perhaps , the ablest production on that side which has ever appeared . Kvery thing of importance , however , which

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    he advances , and which had not been previously considered in the Illust rations , may be arranged under these two inquiries :

    1 . Whether punishment , under the Divine administration , be invariably corrective . 2 . Whether it be consistent with the Divine justice to inflict an endless punishment .

    fcvery argument that can be considered important , which he adduces under these heads , some of which he states with great acuteness and abilitv and which deserve very serious consideration , I have examined and answered with all the care in my power .

    I njust add , that further consideration has induced me to give up some passages of Scripture which were formerly adduced as express testimonies in favour of the doctrine , that all mankind will ultimately be restored to a state of purity and happiness .

    I may notice in conclusion , that under the evils of the social state some considerations are suggested which may assist the mind in determining the very important inquiry , whether the law of population , as stated by Mr . Malthus , be or be not consistent with the Divine benevolence . I had entered with some minuteness into

    tins thorny question of population , but considering that this discussion might divert the mind too much from the main argument of the work , I resolved to omit the greater part of

    what I had prepared for the press . I have , therefore , contented myself with stating" what appears to me to be the real state of the question as it now stands between Mr . Malthus and

    his opponents 3 and with suggesting what I think sufficient to lead the mind to the just conclusion respecting the degree in which this question , however it be settled , can influence our conceptions of the Divine benevolence .

    There are some other topics in Dr . Kdwards ' s work which I could have wished to discuss , but as they are not essential to the argument , I have omitted them , lest my work should grow to too great a bulk . The same reason

    has prevented me from noticing aI ) y other part of the articles in the Eclectic Review th-411 that which I Uaye mentioned . This'is'the only essential point which , it appears to me , they

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    166 Dr . S . Smith on the Eclectic ELevieic ttf hk "Illustrations .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1822, page 166, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2510/page/38/