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by that which is so peculiar to Christianity, its care to manifest the evil of sin, and to provide for the honour of the divine government, in conjunction with the salvation of men. If we reflect on what is the end to be accomplished by this doctrine, the moral salvation and eternal happiness of unnumbered myriads of souls, originally formed after the image of God, but debased and ruined by sin: if we reflect what the means are of accomplishing this end; that He whose name is wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, should become a child, born into the world; should for us men and for our salvation come down from heaven; should humble himself to death, even the death of the cross; and then exalted as

head over all things to his church," should ever live to make intercession for us, and to open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Who is there that reflects upon these particulars, but must consider the doctrine to be at once too sublime, too wise and too good to have originated with man. No man, indeed, who thought and spoke of the majesty of the

divine Being, in the manner that the apostles did, could have dared, had he been able, to have devised and to have published such an idea. And finally, if we reflect upon the determined hostility to sin, and the steady regard for the honour of the divine character and government, in conjunction with the good of mankind which are manifested by this doctrine ; and compare them with the little regard which other systems of religion have paid to these designs, so foreign to the propensities of man in his present fallen state; we cannot but be convinced that a doctrine so honourable to God, but so humiliating to man, could not have been derived from human invention.

The use, my brethren, we should make of this doctrine should be to excite in us humility, gratitude and obedience. "This doctrine," saith Dr. Barrow, "is most useful, to render us humble and sensible of our weakness. How low and miserable was that fall, from which only we could be raised by the depression of the Son of God. How great is that weak

ness that needeth such a succour; how abo

minable must be that iniquity which might

not be expiated without so costly a sacrifice. Is it not then madness for fallen, guilty and helpless man to confide in his own merit; to glory in any thing belonging to him; when his unworthiness, his demerit, his forlorn estate made it necessary for the Son of God to become a propitiation or atonement for his sins!"

To this language of Dr. Barrow, I shall add, and conclude with the language of our Church:* "Canst thou think of this, O sinful man, and not tremble within thyself? Canst thou hear it without remorse of conscience and sorrow of heart? Whilst Christ yet hung upon the cross, the Scripture witnesseth, that the veil of the temple did rent in twain and the earth did quake; that the stones clave asunder, that the graves did open, and the dead bodies arise; and shall the heart of man be more hardened than stones, more insensible than the dead? Call to mind, O sinful creature, and set before

In the quotations throughout this work, from the homilies of our church, the author has ventured, whilst scrupulously attentive to the sense, occasionally to alter a word, or a phrase, whenever he conceived a less antiquated language would prove more acceptable.

thine eyes Christ crucified; let his image be imprinted on thine heart; let it excite thee to hatred of sin, to unfeigned humility, to earnest love of Almighty God; that in the end of the world when he shall come again to judge the quick and the dead, he may receive us unto his heavenly kingdom there to be partakers of that immortal and everlasting life, which by his sufferings and death he hath purchased for us."

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SERMON XV.

INTERNAL EVIDENCE CONTINUED. DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.

"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ."-Rom. v. 1.

WE have already considered the doctrine of atonement, or the Christian scheme of mediation, as furnishing internal evidence of the truth of our religion. Another doctrine peculiar to Christianity and which may be adduced for the same purpose, is that which is termed by theologians the doctrine of justification by faith; or that doctrine which exhibits to us the method by which we may avail ourselves of those blessings that have been procured for us by our Saviour's mediation and atonement.

By the doctrine of atonement, or the Christian scheme of mediation, we saw how mercy towards man might be exercised consistently with justice; how the perfections of God har

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