The Song of Solomon : and the Lamentations of Jeremiah

V. i-io.] AN APPEAL FOR GOD'S COMPASSION 321
that the world is moving forward, not backward, as
would be the case if the balance of hereditary influence
was on the side of evil. Therefore it would be dis-
astrous in the extreme for the laws that pass on the
punishment of sin to successive generations to be
abolished ;
the abolition of them would stop the chariot
of progress. Then we have seen that the solidarity of
the race necessitates both mutual influences in the
present and the continuance of influence from one age
to another. The great unit Man is far more than
the sum of the little units men. We must endure the
disadvantages of a system which is so essential to the
good of man. This, however, is but to fall back on
the Leibnitzian theory of the best of all possible worlds.
It is not an absolute vindication of the justice of what-
ever happens— an attainment quite beyond our reach.
But another consideration may shed a ray of light
on the problem. The bearing of the sins of others
is for the highest advantage of the sufferers. It is
difficult to think of any more truly elevating sorrows.
They resemble our Lord's passion ; and of Him it
was said that He was made perfect through suffer-
ing.^ Without doubt Israel benefited immensely from
the discipline of the Captivity, and we may be sure
that the better ** remnant " was most blessed by this ex-
perience although it was primarily designed to be the
chastisement of the more guilty. The Jews were
regenerated by the baptism of fire. Then they could
not ultimately complain of the ordeal that issued in so
much good.
It is to be observed, however, that there were two
currents of thought with regard to this problem.
> Heb. ii. 10.