whom saJyation is " hidden." There are others to whom salvation is " revealed."
The truth here laid down is deep and mysterious. "It is high as heaven : what can we do ? It is deep aa hell : what do we know ? " Why some around us are converted and others remain dead in sins, we cannot possibly explain. Why England is a Christian country and China buried in idolatry, is a problem we cannot solve. We only know that it ,is so. We can only ac- knowledge that the words of our Lord Jesus Christ supply the only answer that mortal man ought to give : "Even so. Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight."
Let us, however, never forget that God's sovereignty does not destroy man's responsibility. That same God who does all things according to the counsel of His own will, always addresses us as accountable creatures, — as beings whose blood wiU be on their own heads if they are lost. We cannot understand all His dealings. We see in part and know in part. Let us rest in the con- viction that the judgment day will clear up all, and that the Judge of all wiU not fail to do right. In the mean time, let us remember that God's offers of salvation are free, wide, broad, and unlimited, and that " in our doings that will of God is to be followed which we have ex- pressly declared unto us in the Word of God." (17th Article of Church of Engla/nd.) If truth is hidden from some and revealed to others, we may be sure that there is a cause.
We should observe, thirdly, the character of those from whom truth is hickkn, and of those to whom truth is revealed. We read that our Lord says, " Thou hast hid