Seeing that God had
from all eternity decided the fate of every individual that was to
be born of woman, how vain was it in man to endeavour to save
those whom their Maker had, by an unchangeable decree,
doomed to destruction. I could not disbelieve the doctrine which
the best of men had taught me, and towards which he made the
whole of the Scriptures to bear, and yet it made the economy of
the Christian world appear to me as an absolute contradiction.
How much more wise would it be, thought I, to begin and cut
sinners off with the sword! For till that is effected, the saints can
never inherit the earth in peace. Should I be honoured as an
instrument to begin this great work of purification, I should
rejoice in it. But, then, where had I the means, or under what
direction was I to begin? There was one thing clear, I was now
the Lord's and it behoved me to bestir myself in His service. Oh
that I had an host at my command, then would I be as a devouring
fire among the workers of iniquity!
Full of these great ideas, I hurried through the city, and sought
again the private path through the field and wood of Finnieston,
in which my reverend preceptor had the privilege of walking for
study, and to which he had a key that was always at my
command.
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