Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

This then is the one of the attractions of the Cross. Here is the religion of conscience, because there is here an effective propitiation for sin. Conscience, which, with so much inquietude, looks elsewhere in vain, here finds the repose it seeks for. This oppressive burden, these inward convictions of guilt, are relieved by the assurance that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." That blood of the everlasting covenant, while it makes the conscience more sensitive and tender, at the same time renders it tranquil, because it is the unfailing token of peace with God. As a sinner who deserves to die, and uttering the messages of mercy to my fellows in sin and guilt, I love to dwell on this great characteristic of the Cross, "a just God and a Saviour." It discloses a new era in the government of God, and a new creation to the hopes of men." It unfolds that deep design, the reconciliation of justice and mercy. The eternal throne henceforth rests on this mountain of the covenant; and though justice still guards it by her even balances and her flaming sword, mercy is its highest adornment. Parted at the primeval apostacy, mercy and justice meet at the cross, there to mingle their exultations in the pardon of the guilty through the atonement of the guiltless.

[ocr errors]

I know not what interest the reader feels in this view of the Cross of Christ. The great atonement is a work that is finished, and the scene now lies on the page of history. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so has the Son of Man been lifted up. But it is not like the history of other facts in which we had nothing to do, and in which we ourselves did not bear a part. No living man has the warrant thus to sever himself from the Cross of Jesus; nor can he do it, but by his own voluntary and cherished unbelief. Like the cloud in the wilderness, the Cross has a dark and a bright

side; but its dark side is towards its enemies. If ye would not be numbered with its enemies, go up and lay your hand on the head of its guiltless sufferer. And though you were the malefactor at his side, he would hear the cry, "Lord remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom!"

The Cross should banish despair. Is it not enough that "Christ has died?" Is it not enough that the believer, instead of paying the penalty of the law himself, may present the sufferings of Christ? Justice asks no more than what faith thus offers. Does conscience, with her voice of thunder, still proclaim that you deserve to die? There is One who died for you. The Cross says to the believer, that if there is One who died for him, in that very death he himself died. The law is satisfied with the substitution. "Christ is the end of the law to every one that believeth." "There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Faith may be confident here. Nay, she may triumph, and hold aloft her deed of absolution sealed with blood. The Cross

should prevail over unbelief and despair. It should enkindle hopes that never wither, and are full of immortality. Shame on this weakness! "Who shall separate you from the love of Christ ?"

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

"From the highest throne in glory,

To the cross of deepest woe-
All to ransom guilty captives-
Flow my praise, forever flow.

"Go, return, immortal SaviourLeave thy footstool, take thy crown Thence return and reign foreverBe the glory all thine own!".

CHAPTER IV.

THE CROSS THE ONLY PROPITIATION.

Ir is a truth universally received among Christians, that there is no other propitiation for sin except that offered by the Son of God on the Cross. The Scriptures dwell on this truth with such frequency and force, that it cannot be considered in any other light than as one of the primary truths of the Christian revelation. They instruct us that "there is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved but the name of Christ;" that " no other foundation can any man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ ;" and that, this propitiation rejected, "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin." There can be no doubt that in instances not a few, the want of clear, impressive and strong views of this one truth lies at the foundation of great doctrinal and practical errors. The same high importance belongs to the priestly office of Christ, that belongs to his prophetic and regal offices. It is not more true that his Spirit is the only infallible Teacher, and that no human traditions, and no decisions of men, may supersede his unerring instructions that he himself is the sole and only King in Zion, and that none may share with him the honors and prerogatives of his throne-than that he is the only propitiation-himself the altar-himself the Priest-him

self the sacrifice-himself the "author and finisher" of the whole work.

It is easy to conceive of a less atonement than this stupendous offering. It might have been the offering of some mere man, exalted above his fellows, and pure and stainless; it might have been some exalted and holy seraph; it might have been some super-angelic nature; or it might have been some family, or tribe, or province, who should have been appointed and given their consent to die in the place of the fallen. Either of these would have been a sacrifice infinitely inferior to that which was made by "God manifest in the flesh." Such are the greatness and glory of the second Person in the everblessed and adorable Godhead, that none hesitate to believe that it had been unspeakably desirable that he should have been spared the degradation of our nature, and the agonies of the Cross, if there could have been any less sacrifice. Had there been any other thus "mighty to save," by none would such a substitute have been hailed with greater joy, or more intense delight, than the Eternal Father himself, who appointed his own Son to this fearful service. Looking over the universe he had made, to see who, among them all, was competent thus to bring salvation to a lost race, "he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore his arm brought salvation unto him, and his righteousness sustained him." The Saviour himself would not have sought and acccepted this high trust, could it have been conducted to safe and honorable issues by another; nor was it except in view of the inefficacy of all other sacrifices, that he said, "Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O God!" It had been impious in another to have proposed himself for such a service. No other than the uncreated

« AnteriorContinuar »