find him;" that a severe denunciation was issued against all who should attempt to slay him. It is unnecessary for us to enquire into the cause of this indulgence; but it is very important to remember it, as it relates to our general argument. Whether Cain availed himself or not of this mercy, does not affect our conclusion. It is enough that it was offered to him, and as a mark of divine compassion towards the first great moral criminal, it ought to have no small influence on our minds. If it was the suspension of a punishment, because it was the first offence of the kind; then it betokens that very tenderness and forbearance, on which so great a part of our reasoning must depend, as relating to the acceptance of the more virtuous Heathens. With respect to the sacrificial offerings of Cain and Abel, the main difference as to their acceptance with God, must have arisen from the very opposite tempers and intentions of the respective worshippers. By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, but the superiority of his "faith" was connected with the righteousness of his works, i. e. with his superior virtue, and moral excellence. His faith, indeed, could only at the best, have been a very imperfect glimpse of what we now mean by faith in Christ; but it was accepted because it was sincere, and was supported by the integrity of his life. Hence, I think, it may be inferred, that even the prayers and sacrifices of the Heathens, when offered up with such feelings of penitence and trust in God as their situations admit, will not be rejected, because they have no professed reference to a Redeemer of whom they have never heard. It is no doubt in virtue of the one sacrifice on the cross, that all such prayers and offerings can be acceptable; but, when we reflect, how dim and partial must have been the knowledge of those "who received not the promises, but who beheld them afar off;" I can see no difficulty in believing, that many prayers and offerings of Pagan nations have also been accepted for the sake of "the Lamb who was slain from before the foundation of the world." There are two instances of Gentile sacrifice recorded in Scripture, which were certainly accepted, the one is that of Jethro, (see Sect. 20.) the other, that of the mariners who took up Jonah, (see Sect. 43.) ་ Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord." ch. i. 16. SECTION V. Enoch. By far the most remarkable event which is recorded of the antediluvian world is the translation of Enoch, who "walked with God, and was translated that he should not see death, for he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Heb. xi. 5. That Enoch's faith could correspond only to the times and circumstances in which he lived, is a self-evident proposition. It was the faith of a patriarch, not of a Christian. He lived and acted like one who believed that God is, and that he is the rewarder of them who diligently seek him." Heb. xi. 6. 66 But, if this is to be taken as the summary of Enoch's faith and piety, and if he was so strikingly rewarded for acting up to that primitive, but partial light which he enjoyed; does it not show, "that every man is accepted according to the ability which God hath given him |