So we can see no
difficulty on that ground.
But what about man's free will? Will he not persist in sin? Has he not
been made a free agent? So if any reformation is forced upon him, would
it be a real reformation? Besides, if he were reformed only externally,
would he be fitted for a better world?
DIVINE POWER AND GRACE.
Well, though he is a free agent, we believe that divine love and power
could turn him, without in the least destroying his freedom. We
instanced the case of Saul. In a moment he was overpowered by divine
love; the whole man was changed; yet he lost not a particle of his free
will. So it is easy to believe that divine power and grace may be
brought to bear on the very worst of mankind, with the result that while
losing none of their free will, but using it to the full, they are
recovered and redeemed. And it is easier to believe this when we realize
that suffering will be a factor in the process of reformation. These,
and many such considerations have been referred to with all candor. As
we survey them we are forced to exclaim, "O, the depths of the riches,
both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God."
One practical word, my dear friend, in conclusion. It may be that this
maze of argument only bewilders you. If so, then brush all argument
aside, and take the plain Word of God.
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