Q. On what principle could the blood of Christ effect our reconciliation with an offended God?

A. 1st. It satisfied his justice, as it was a punishment great and terrible, even as man's offences were many and grievous.

22dly. It appeased his anger, as it was an act of unparalleled submission to his will.

Q. How, in justice, could the sacrifice of an innocent person free the guilty?

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4. Offences are often punished by the imposition of a penalty; a ransom is often paid for the liberation of a captive. In both of which cases the innocent may have it in his power to suffer for, and liberate the guilty. Why then may not our Saviour, with equal justice, pay the penalty, and liberate us from the captivity of sin; though truly he is himself perfectly free from every stain of guilt?

Q. Does Scripture authorize this explanation?

A. It is said expressly in Scripture, “ Christ gave his life a ransom." And again, "We are bought with a price." Not, however, " with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but we are bought with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot"

4 Matt. xx. 28. 1 Cor. vi. 20. 1 Peter i. 18, 19.

Q. How are we assured of the renewed favour of Heaven, in consequence of the mediatorial sacrifice of Christ?

A. The declarations of Scripture assure us of it." In this," saith St. John, "was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” "God," saith St. Paul, " hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ." "He hath made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself."

Q. What are the sins for which Christ has made atonement?

A. 1st. His sacrifice of himself has freed us from the penalty of original sin.

2dly. It has opened for us the door of reconciliation with God, on repentance, for those sins, of which, alas! we ourselves are so frequently and notoriously guilty.

Q. What is original sin?

A

A. "It is the fault or corruption of the nature of every man, whereby man is very far

* 1 John iv. 9, 10. 2 Cor. v. 18. Coloss, i. 20 is

gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil?"

Q. Is man indeed far gone from original righteousness?

A. Daily experience, we fear, affords us examples of human frailty, and the depravity of our nature, too numerous and diversified to allow of a moment's doubt on that head. The declarations of Scripture also are express to the same effect. The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth'." "Out of the heart proceed' evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, blasphemies".""There is no man that sinneth not*."

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Q. What is the penalty of original sin? A. Death-the sin of Adam brought death into the world. By one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men "."

Q. From this penalty, you say, Christ has freed us?

iNinth Article of XXXIX, Articles. See also St. Cyprian,

Ep. xii. Noelli Catechism. Qu. Peccat. Originis.

17.

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t Gen. viii. 21.

" Matt. xv. 19.

1 Kings viii. 46. See also Jer. xvii. 9. 1 John i. 8. Gal. v. Rom. vii. 23. and Burnet on the Thirty Nine Articles,

p. 148.

Rom. v. 12. 15.

A. Yes; from this penalty the sacrifice of Christ has fully redeemed us. "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive ".".

Q. Are we placed by the atonement in the situation man was originally intended to fill, had our first parents maintained their integrity?o A. By no means. The infirmities of the flesh still cleave to us, and we are far gone from origi nal purity.

Q. What benefit then do we derive from the atonement, if the corruption of our nature still attaches to us?

A. Much every way. Christ has, by the sacrifice. of himself, acquired a title to intercede with God in our behalf. He has been enabled thereby to blot out the sentence of condemnation passed upon Adam and all his descendants. He has further provided us with the blessed aid and co-operation of the Holy Spirit, through whose influence the depravity of our nature is counteracted; by whom good desires are put into our hearts, and the road to heaven rendered accessible. Christ has also gained a victory over our arch-enemy, and is endued with the power,

21 Cor. xv. 21, 22.

as he has the will, to help us in our endeavours to do the same.

Q. What is required on our parts that we may reap the full benefit of the atonement?

A. Faith in Christ, and a life of holiness correspondent thereto.

Q. But the inherent corruption of our nature is such, that we cannot always maintain either our faith pure, or our lives and actions holy and undefiled. What then is further required of us?

A. Repentance, renovation of faith, and amendment of life. Our Saviour gave instructions to his Apostles, "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations"." St. Paul said, "God now commandeth all men every where to repent "."

Q. Will forgiveness of sins attend upon and follow repentance which is evidenced by renewed faith, and amendment of life?

A. By the mercy of God, through the merits of Christ, we are assured it will; always understanding here by faith a lively faith, and by repentance, that which is sincere, and abiding, and from the heart; bringing forth fruits agreeable thereto, even unto everlasting life.

6.6

Repent and be converted," saith St. Peter,

a Luke xxiv. 47.

Acts xvii. 30.