world, they must be susceptible of more tender impressions of love and charity, than those who have lived to adult age. Yet, notwithstanding these advantages, peculiar to deceased infants, it is consoling to reflect, that a provision is made by infinite wisdom and goodness, that the future condition of those, who have had a longer time in this world, may be equally perfect and equally happy, if, putting away the corporeal and earthly affections belonging to self-love and the love of the world, they become receptive of such as are spiritual, derived from love to the Lord, and charity to all mankind.
XL. The Gentiles, or Heathens.
THAT the Gentile nations, or those Heathens who live out of the pale of the Christian church, and are ignorant of the Word and name of the Lord, are nevertheless in a salvable state, as well as those who are acquainted with divine revelation, cannot be doubted by any who believe, that "the tender mercies of the Lord are over all his works." The Gentiles are men, as well as they who are called Christians: indeed they form a very great proportion of the human race; and it cannot be imputed to them as a crime, that tidings of redemption never reached their ears. They have the same capacity of understanding what is true, and of willing what is good, as Christians have, consequently the same capacity of conjunction with heaven. And the Great Parent of all, who gave them this capacity, gave it for the purpose of rendering them happy for ever. He has moreover in his divine mercy provided, that all the nations of the earth, as well Mahometan and Pagan, as those that bear the name of Christian, should be in
