Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. REASONABLENESS OF THE DOCTRINE OF ATONEMENT-- ITS HARMONY WITH THE VAST EXTENT OF CREATION, AND WITH THE CHARACTER OF GOD. Section I. Harmony Of The Doctrine With Reason. If there is a God who created us, if we have all sinned against hiin, and if there is reason to believe that he will call us to account for our conduct, all which principles are generally admitted, a gloomy prospect must needs present itself, sufficient indeed to render man " the slave of terror." It is not in the power of any man living who rejects the Bible, to assure us that pardon will have any place in the divine government; and however light he may make of the scripture doctrine of hell, He who calls men to account for their deeds will be at no loss how or where to punish them. But allowing that God is disposed to show mercy to the guilty, the question is, whether his doing so by or without a mediator be most consistent with what we know of fitness or propriety. /- That pardon is bestowed through a mediator in a vast variety of instances among men, cannot be denied; and that it is proper it should be so, must be evident to every thinking mind. All who are acquainted with the common affairs of life must be aware of the necessity of such proceedings, and the good effects of them upon society. It is far less humbling for an offender to be pardoned at his own request, than through the interposition of a third person; for in the one case, he may be led to think that it was his virtue and penitence which influenced the decision; whereas, in the other, he is compelled to feel his own unworthiness: and this may be one reason why the mediation of Christ is so offensive. It is no wonder, indeed, that those who deny humility to be a virtue, as Volney and many...