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This large thought comes in primarily as an argument and a measure of intercessory prayer. It is one of the reasons that St. Paul gives why, "first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks, should be made for all men." The first reason is his own individual case — he himself was the monument of the power of intercession, when, with his dying lips, St. Stephen prayed for him as one of his murderers. The text is the second reason — Pray for all, for God loves all. Pray for persecuting kings — pray for Nero — for God wills the salvation of all. We are never so safe as when we are taking great views of God. Most of our sins and troubles are from having narrow previsions, which limit the Holy One of Israel. It is not a merely future tense, but it is the expression of the Divine wish and intention, which are to be the same for ever, whatever man may do to frustrate it — "who wills that all men should be saved." But the great point to which I wish to draw your consideration is, the Catholicity of the salvation which God wills and presents to man. That magnificent "all" — who can reduce it? — "all" to be saved. Has not God plainly shown you that He wishes you to be saved? Has not He so drawn, chastened, so converted, so held, so protected, so borne with you, so blessed you, that He has given the most unmistakable evidence that He would have you to be saved? And did you ever meet with the man who could tell you the contrary, of his own experience? It is remarkable, in the Old Testament, how often God is called, "the God of the whole earth." And David, probably in prophecy, loves the expression, "The King of all the earth." But if you ask me, more logically, Why it is that I believe that God wills the salvation of all His creatures? I answer — I find it in the congruity of all things. I find it in the law which must regulate the mind of a great Creator. I find it in the Fatherly character of God, and the "tender mercies that are over all His works." I find it in the immensity of the gift of His own Son, that blood is an equivalent, and much more to the sins of the whole world. I find it in the imagery of the Bible, which suits every land, and in those provisions of His grace, which are accommodated to the minds of the inhabitants of every clime. I find it in the free flowings of that Spirit, like the four winds of heaven, "I will pour it upon all flesh." "If God wills the salvation of all men, why are not all saved? For who can resist His will?" If God willed the salvation of all His creatures, He willed also that the world which He had made should be a world of discipline and probation. Therefore He willed that the will of every living mar should be free — for this is an essential condition of probation. But what shall we say respecting the heathen? They have not even "the knowledge." But why? God willed them to have it, and made the most express provision that they might have it; for He laid it upon every soul that should ever know Him, and made it almost a condition of His presence in that soul, that it should impart again that knowledge to another. And this commission He gave to His whole Church. Am I to say then that, because, through my neglect, and selfishness, all men are not saved, and brought to the knowledge of the truth, therefore God did not will it?

(J. Vaughan, M. A.)

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KJV: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

WEB: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;