iv PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. when reconciled, the sure evidence of acceptance. 1 "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin." Faith in His atoning sacrifice is the principle which God has ordained shall unite the soul to Christ, and secure the application of his blood as a cleansing fountain. Faith in Jesus brings. to the soul all that it needs for present and future peace and happiness. The believer is justified by this instrument of faith-accounted righteous thereby in the sight of God-made thereby an heir of God, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ, who becomes to him, "wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption." " 8 He is thus, as St. Paul says, "complete in Christ." He is "under no condemnation," " "born again," has "a good hope through grace," ," and "being justified by faith has peace with God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." 10 11 John, i. 7. 2 Romans iii. 28. 3 Romans iv. 3. 5 1 Corinthians i. 30. 6 Colossians ii. 10. 7 Romans viii. 1. 8 1 Peter i. 23. 92 Thessalonians ii. 16. 10 Romans v. 1. PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. As it is declared in the Article on Justification, "We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, BY FAITH, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort." This is the great doctrine which Christ established for man's justification before God, and which his Apostles everywhere proclaimed and insisted upon as the basis of Gospel truth. The reception of ordinances is obligatory, and experiences are desirable as they are the result of this faith, but in obtaining pardon and remission of sin-in securing the favour of God, and a title to the heavenly inheritance, they are altogether inadequate, and if depended upon must prove a broken reed which shall pierce the hand in the time of trial. Faith in the all-sufficiency of Christ's cleansing blood and justifying righteousness is the great principle which brings the Saviour and the sinner together. When one exercises this faith, he is forgiven, his sins vi PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. are no longer imputed to him; he has become a Christian, and his hope of forgiveness, his assurance of acceptance, must be based not upon rites and ordinances, nor upon a peculiar frame of mind, but upon "Jesus only," who has said "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." May God by his Holy Spirit make this little book instrumental in guiding many an enquiring soul to the Saviour, and may all who read it fully understand, that perfect remission and forgiveness of all sin is obtained solely and only by a living faith in the precious blood-shedding of "JESUS ONLY." Philadelphia, July 2, 1859. C. D. C. Address to the Reader. DEAR READER,-Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy soul? Is all right between thee and thy God? Is the great question of thy soul's salvation settled? I do not ask, Art thou rich or poor? Art thou learned or unlearned? Art thou of this party or the other?-but, Is it well with thy soul in prospect of the long eternity that is before thee? Dost thou say, "I fear all is not right; I fear my sins are not forgiven; I am afraid to die. But I long to have peace; my earnest desire is to find salvation ?" Then, this little book comes to you in all affection, and is written to lead you by the Divine blessing, step by step, until your feet are firmly planted on "the only foundation," the ROCK OF AGES. * 8. ADDRESS TO THE READER. Read it thoughtfully; read it with prayer; and read it, especially the first half of it, regularly through, as it is intended to lead. the mind progressively into the knowledge of the great salvation. Its subjects are various, but all are written with this purpose, to show you your need of Christ, and the riches of his grace and mercy to you. May the Holy Spirit bless these pages to your soul's salvation! |