The true Democrat., 1857-02-24
A DISCOURSE DIR. w M. H. HUG ART,

PASTOR OF THE CHRISTIAN CAURCH IN THE
 CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, PREPARED
 FOR PUBLICATION IN THE TRUE DEMOCRAT BY
 THE REQUEST OF THE EDITOR.
 The Heavenly inheritance of all the saints both of Jews and Gentiles, the tufment of the W pca ip herltence in Canaan.-TeXt EPH. l. II, IA.
 Whilst the learned and pious believe and teach that the land of Canaan is still the in- heritance of the Jews, and that they will be restored to that land, but few persons stop to think whether there may not be some mistake in reference to the matter This subject has been for the last two years of great interest. And whilst the mass float on with the smooth floating tide, it is difficult to induce them to give an opposite theory, passing notice. So fully are they convinced that they are right, that 1t has become a habit to assert, d0qmatialy that the Jews are still the chosen people of God, and Canaan is still their possession. And If the mere fact of a position being advocated by the wise and good always made it right, then we should certainly not call in question any thing taught upon this subject. But it is admitted by all sensible persons that learned and good men are mistaken on many important points, both in religion and politics Why may they not be mistaken upon this question2-- And why should we not be willing, calmly and with proper spirit, to investigate this question as we'll as others. The question with us is one of vital importance. Holding the Ma dn lS a tion. We believe that the ubject involves every thing connected with christianity. And if We are right, then the opposite view is in oul judgment, an injurious error, and subversive of the gosple of Christ. We are just as candid and conscientious upon this subject as any one can be- and we allow at the same time, that others are as much 50 as we are. All we ask then is to be treated by those with whom we differ, as we treat them as a christian gentle man. Candid expression in respectful language is always best. We believe then, that nc man can understand the gospel in all it's full ness and beauty, who believes that the Jews after the flesh, are still the people of God, and that Canaan is still guaranted to them, by di. vine promise. How can man have clear views of the gospel dispensatioD, and believe that God has two different sets of people, one tieshy and the other spritual and two different kind, of inheritances, one earthly and the other tea- vehly? Our views will be expressed hy the discussion of the following propositions:
 l. Cniaan neuer ,gas designeI to Ge the inte,1 tance ot Abrahaos as tte tather cf dle tteitIyuI mm of his spiritual seeR.
 This is the great question. Understand il fully and correctly, and it will refine our view' in reference to the design of God as connected with Isreal according to the flesh. Our tex says, in whom ye trusted after that ye hearC the word of truth, the gospel of your saliva tion, in whom also after that ye believed v were sealed with the holy spirit of promise which IS the earnest ot our inheritance" Now the persons alluded to here, not the tleshy seed of Abraham but his spiritual seed, com posed both of Jews and Gentles, who believe the gospel. They were sealed in reference tC aR inheritance, yet in the future. This inheri tance, we contend, is not Canaan, as 1t now i or ever was, but a heavenly country. Tn, correctness of this position will be made more obvious as we proceed We wish to keep tw' points before the reader as we progreSs-tnr them. The people, we are endeavoring tc show, are the spiritual seed of Abraham, anC the inheritance not Canaan, but a heavenl, country. Keep the points before the mind, anC you will at once see whether or not we prove our positions as we discuss them.
 Paul says "for if the inheritance be of thu law, it is no more of promise, but God gave i to Abraham by promise" Gal. 3. IS. Herr it is clearly taught that God gave Abraham al inheritance by promise. But where is ther any evidence that spiritual seed, not at al alluding to his feshy descendants, is also inter ested in this promise? Paul says, "now t' Abraham and his seed, were the promise made" He saith not, "and to seeds as O many, but as of one, and to thy seed which i Christ" Gal 3, Is. Now, this teaches tha 1t is all erroneous, that the ieshy seed are tn persons included in the promise made to Abra ham. This is evident from the following And if ye be Chrst's then are ye Abraham seed and heirs according to the promise" Gal 3. 29. What can prove posititlon more clear lv than this text, that christians and not Jew after the flesh, are the seed of Abraham accor ding to the promise? And being his seed, the, are heirs of the inheritance promised to thei father What is this inheritance? You re spond Canaan. Was Canaan ever promised t the Gentes? You answer no We'll then now can the promise be sure to all the seed o Abraham, if part of it cannot enter the inheri tance? Paul teaches some important matter upon this question in Romans. He teache that Abraham was to be the father of all then that believe, though they be not circumcised Roman 4. 10, 13. In other words, Abraham was justified by faith, which he had before h, was ciIcumcised, and he received circumcision he might be the father of all believers, though they had never been crcumesed. And tn, promise was to be sure to all the seed The apostle says therefore 1t is of faith, tha it might be by grace, to the end, the promis, might be sure to all the seed.''
 Now, "all the seed,'' alludes to Jews ant Gentiles, who believe in Christ, whether they had been crcumcised or not. They are those who "walk in the steps of that faith, of ou father Abraham, which he had, being yet un circumcised." They are Christians, both o Jews and Gentiles. These are the seed o Abraham, and heirs according to the promise And as none but Abraham's ieshly seed wer to inherit the land of Canaan, 1t follows that i cannot be the inheritance of his spiritual seed Nor is this all but Abraham himself never dio and never will have any inheritance in thu land of Canaan. Stephen teaches that Goo removed him into this land (Cauaan) wher