Q. 125. Matt. 18:66But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6) tells us that the "little ones" alluded to believe in Me." I cannot think that infants who die young are saved by the death of Christ: without shedding of blood there is no remission, and faith is always the condition of salvation. Your view would absolve me from the necessity of praying for the salvation of my young children. V. C.
[We think that ver. 6 refers to true believers here compared to little children; whereas ver. 10 appears to refer to the literal children in the Savior's arms and ver. 11 to be in connection with it. Observe there is no " seeking" (Luke six. 10) only " saving" in connection with infants. They are saved on the ground that the blood is shed. This view in no way interferes with prayer for all those who are old enough to be personally responsible.-Ed.]
Q. 123. The meaning of " double" in Isa. 40:22Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:2). It was a custom amongst the Jews that a man who had been sued for a debt, when he paid received two receipts: one he retained, the other called " the double" was posted in a public place to show his complete acquittal.
J. L.
Q. 153. The Hebrew word translated " giant" in our A. V. is derived from a root meaning to fall down, and the word is literally "fallen ones." That angels are here meant is supported by the Alex. Version of the Septuagint where Gen. 6:22That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (Genesis 6:2) reads "angels of God." S. C.