tmg his ihreatenings, for he foresaw and was able to ayoid the
result ; he might with perfect ease and infinite honor to himself,
have so arranged his government as to secure the obedience and
happiness of all in this world without punishment. . Consequent-
ly, if there is sin and punishment in the world, it is becanse God
desired it, and exercised malignity towards the mnner." It will
amount to nothing to say, that this suffering b but a means to
secure the good of the sinner, for Mr. 8. h as told us that Gh)d
" is never reduced to the necessity of choosing between two
evils," and of course is not under the neces«ty of panidiing
men for their good, for he could have so arranged his govern-
ment as to. secure that good without it. This mode of argument
is adopted by the whole tribe of nniversalist§, and yet it lies
with idl its force against their cherished notion of disciplinaiy
punishment. It stands opposed to matter of fact, viz.: the pres-
ent sufferings of our race ; therefore, must be false. On this
method in argument, see Sec. GXIY.
The conclusion from this argument is, that God punishes an-
ners unnecessarily in this world, which is, to say the least of it,
unmerciful, and yet ^[r«.^talkB largely in his book about the
mercy of God in punishing the sinner ! The truth is, Univer-
salism drives mercy completely out of the divine administration.
