the Rev. W. Turner , Jun. , MA., Lives of the eminent Unitarians

[326] even several instances which seem to shew that the supposition is analogous with the dealings of our heavenly Father towards his creatures in other cases. It seems, indeed, to be generally observable that various benefits and blessings are conferred upon large portions of mankind, or at least upon their families and connexions, in consequence, or for the sake of, the obedience or righteousness of individuals. It has been truly said that ‘the house of the righteous shall stand;’ the descendants and connexions of those who have been eminent for good and excellent qualities are often themselves perceptibly the objects of Divine favour. If then, in conformity with this principle, the Israelites were selected to be God's chosen people for the sake of Abraham—spared from the effects of his just displeasure for the sake of Moses;—if, universally, it would seem that the obedience and piety of the father are the means of drawing down the divine blessing upon the children, we may fairly enough conclude that important benefits are communicated, new discoveries of divine knowledge, new dispensations of divine grace, are granted to the faithful disciples of Christ, for the sake, in reward, of his obedience unto death. It may be in this mode that God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, and a kingdom which is above every kingdom; and it is not impossible that this may be all that is really meant by many theologians when they speak of the meritorious sacrifice of our Redeemer as the means of purchasing for mankind Gospel blessings and privileges. That Dr. Taylor did not mean to go further than this, is, we apprehend, sufficiently manifest