xi? The flan of the Ages.
in their completeness, will prove the wisdom of the course pursued. Some inquire, Could not God, with whom all things are possible, have interfered in season to prevent the full accomplishment of Satan's design ? Doubtless he could ; but such interference would have prevented the accomplish- ment of his own purposes. His purpose was to make mani- fest the perfection, majesty and righteous authority of his law, and to prove both to men and to angels the evil con- sequences resulting from its violation. Besides, in their very nature, some things are impossible even with God, as the Scriptures state. It is "impossible for God to lie" (Heb. 6 : 18). " He cannot deny himself " (2 Tim. 2 : 13). He cannot do wrong, and therefore he could not choose any but the wisest and best plan for introducing his creatures into life, even though our short-sighted vision might for a time fail to discern the hidden springs of infinite wisdom.
The Scriptures declare that all things were created for the Lord's pleasure (Rev. 4: u) without doubt, for the pleasure of dispensing his blessings, and of exercising the attributes of his glorious being. And though, in the work- ing out of his benevolent designs, he permits evil and evil doers for a time to play an adtive part, yet it is not for evil's sake, nor because he is in league with sin j for he declares that he is "not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness. '* (Psa. 5 : 4.) Though opposed to evil in every sense, God permits (t\ ., does not hinder) it for a time, because his wis- dom sees a way in which it may be made a lasting and val- uable lesson to his creatures.
It is a self-evident truth that for every right principle there is a corresponding wrong principle; as, for instance,* truth and falsity, love and hatred, justice and injustice. We distinguish these opposite principles as right and wreng, by their effedls when put in aQion. That principle the result of which, when active, is beneficial and produ&ive of ulti*
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