been the first to charge opinions which they have rarely examined, if, indeed, they have examined them at all, as pernicious in their effects; or, if occasionally they have "looked them through," as a celebrated writer observes, their visual organs have been under the influence of the jaundice. That many who profess to believe the truth pleaded for in the following pages, are in conduct grossly immoral, the author would deem it ridiculous to affect to deny. But a profession of attachment to what is true, and a heart-felt love to that truth, are essentially distinct. Thousands there are of the latter description, who "adorn the doctrines of God their Saviour;" and thousands there are of the former class, who are the disgrace of Christianity itself.

It is the writer's firm persuasion, that a cordial reception of the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel, will, when accompanied by the influence of the Holy Spirit, prove the means of renovating the world. Popery, Pagan idolatry, superstition, sin, and error of every name, must ultimately fall before the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

xii.

"All the kindreds of the earth shall worship before him; all nations shall call him bless

ed; and men shall be blessed in him. Then shall he who bled for the redemption of the guilty, see (of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied'."

"Where he displays his healing power,
"Death and the curse are known no more.
"In him the tribes of Adam boast,
"More blessings than their father lost.
"Blessings abound where'er he reigns;
"The pris'ner leaps to lose his chains;
"The weary find eternal rest,

"And all the sons of want are bless'd."

That the reader may find salvation through the obedience unto death of the Lord Jesus, is, and shall be, the prayer of the Author.

I. M.

SHIPLEY, June 2d, 1824.

AN ESSAY

ON THE

ATONEMENT OF CHRIST.

CHAP. I.

Explication of Terms.

MUCH altercation has frequently arisen from

not understanding the sense in which writers use the words they employ. In the following chapters, little apprehension, however, can be entertained on this head.

But to preclude, if possible, all misunderstanding, I shall here premise in what sense I use some of the principal words found in the subsequent pages.

1. ATONEMENT.-Expiation; the presentation of a sacrifice to God for the expiation of iniquity: as a victim, bearing the consequences of its own sin, or suffering to expiate the sin of another.

B

"The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood."

When Jesus Christ died, he expiated human guilt, and reconciled God to men. When we speak of reconciliation, however, we do not attach any such ideas to the term, as that God is pacified by the atonement, or that he loves sinners in consequence of that atonement. No: we consider the gift of Christ as one of the most glorious displays of infinite love. Herein did it appear in its greatest splendour. God did love sinners of our race from eternity. Jer. xxxi. 3. His love was the only source and origin of all mercy to men, and of the whole plan of salvation. But he who loved the persons, at the same time hated the sins of men. Nor could such fallen creatures be regarded as the children of his family, but as aliens, as enemies, as rebels against the divine Majesty and government. Love determines the reign of mercy: yet that mercy must not trample upon the unalienable rights of justice. To prevent this, and to give the most ample scope to the perfections of love, commisera tion, and goodness, Jesus as surety must die, "the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God," and remove malignant feelings from our breasts. We had the principles of hostility, God the feelings of mercy. But mercy must not invade the prérogatives of justice and truth. It is not, however, against an Atonement that opposition arises in the

minds of men; but only against that of God's providing. All men are willing that an Atonement should be made, allowing them only to make it themselves. But if all the services of men be due to God for the present time, it is impossible that they should atone for past transgressions. This impossibility is what the human heart is unwilling to admit, till its pride is subdued by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The language of our beautiful poet will be considered as demanding explanation, if not indulgence.

"Rich were the drops of Jesus' blood,
"That calm'd his frowning face;
"That sprinkled o'er the burning throne,
"And turn'd the wrath to grace.”

All that can, in harmony with the sacred oracles, be understood by these words is, that through the death of Christ, divinyour could be shewn to rebels, consistently with the exercise of holiness, justice, and truth. If more than this were intended, or, at any rate, if it were understood to mean that God was appeased, his anger removed, and his love originated from the death of Christ, I should crave permission to express my fullest persuasion, that such an idea is completely hostile to every just view of the character of God, and the design of the Atonement. Similar remarks might be made on