REPRESENTATIVE Principle, The, Sylvester Hassell The mysterious principle of representation pervades both Scripture and nature (Gen. 9:22,25; 25:34, compared with Obadiah 19; Exo. 20:5: 34:6,7; Num. 16:32,33; Josh. 6:25; 7:24,25; I Sam. 3:14; 15:2,3; II Sam. 12:10; 21:1-9; I Kings 14:9,10; II Kings 5:27; Jer. 32:18; Matt. 23:35, etc.) The God of nature visits the crimes and vices of individuals in many ways upon their posterity. By finite minds God’s “judgments are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out” (Rom. 11:33). But, though “clouds and darkness are round about him,” his children know that “justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne.” (Psa. 97:2). We cannot understand the doctrine of representation or imputation any more than we can understand why an infinitely wise, powerful, holy and benevolent Being should have ever permitted the existence of sin and misery in the universe.” (Hassell)