But the discipline we are supposing fits him for
his higher destiny.
And so, we may well suppose, it will be with the non-Christian good man.
On the principle that what is good will endure, all that is good in him
will be retained, and the evil will be eliminated.
Also, on this basis we can reasonably forecast the destiny of the
insane. Since they lost their reason they are not responsible. But they
will resume their reason at the point where it deserted them, and they
will be prepared for the inheritance of the saints.
The same theory justifies the destruction of wicked nations. They had
gone down to such depths of sin, that it was better for them to be cut
off, and to have a new opportunity under more favorable conditions.
This larger view also explains why God chose to continue the human race
after they sinned, and entailed on all their posterity such mourning,
lamentation and woe. God did an infinitely better thing for the race
than extinction. He provided a way of salvation for all. So the day may
come in the endless years when all the pains and penalties of earth will
be reckoned trifles as light as air, contrasted with the supernal glory
that has been attained.
I would also say that according to this larger view there is no more
difficulty as to supposed eternal separations.
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