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tence atone , tpso jhcto , ^ ana aa& been do in every age , and will be so to all eternity . It depends on nothing but the contrite heart of the suppliant , and the ever-flowing mercy of God .
The forgiveness of the penitent * in this sense , was not one of the blessing's derived to mankind through Christ , inasmuch as it was always most freely promised and enjoyed from the foundation of the world , and , therefore , it could not be one of those which he
died to procure . In ascertaining the true sense of remission of sins , as here spoken of , I tUink we should consider only those advantages which the world has actually derived , or is about to derive , from the mediation or agency of Christ . Keeping this
principle in mind , I should say that by forgiveness of sins , as here spoken of , I understand a declaration and assurance q the removal , on the part of God , of certain penalties inflicted
or denounced an men for their transgressions , and that these penalties are chiefly the following : 1 . The alienation ef the world at large from the knowledge of the true God , and from the senBe of his favour . 2 . The
subjection of the Jews to the law , which was burdensome to observe , and left them under condemnation . 3 . The fear of death in this life , and the evils consequent on death , through sin , in the next . iTie careful reader of the New Testament will , I think , admit that our deliverance from these evils
constitutes the redemption which is in Christ Jesus . It is certain that he does , in fact , deliver his faithful disciples from them . Submitting to death , and being raised again to a new life by the power of Goa , he has not Only given us the knowledge of a future life , but is also become the
destined agent by whom we are to attain to it . " God will raise up us also by Jesus . " But not only shall we attain through liini a new state of existence , but be by him delivered from the evils to whicft we should still , on account of our sins , be exposed . Hence the apostle speaks of him as " our ; deli * . verer from the wrath to . come / '
Preparatory % o these great final blessings , we know historically in what manner Jesus has reclaimed the Heathen world to the knowledge * of th # one true God and the mjoytoent of his grace , and how hfc temai&ip&ted the
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church from the irksome burden of a ceremonial worship * AH thtefce great mercies , intimately , ebtuieetttd ; together , constitute bay judgment , the forgiveness of sins . We may dbserve , that this forgiveness eannot be fully
carried into effect till the end is come , and the righteous are possessed of their mansions above ; yet , considered as one entire dispensation , it is spoken Of as complete From the very time of our Lord ' s death . Thus the writer to
the Hebrews says , When he had by himself cleansed our sins , he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high . " This , then ,, is what I think we are to understand by the forgiveness of sins : certain privileges and
immunities granted to mankind through the agency c ^ f Christ . This forgiveness , the essential mercy of God determined him to impart : of thi 3 determination , the mediation of Je 3 us , in all its parts , was not the cause , but the consequence . But he that is
determined to da an act of mercy , will next consider what may be the fittest mode of doing it . To the Almighty , then , thus considering ( I speak humanly ) the redemption of man , tlie mediation of Jesus , but especially his obedience unto death , appeared the
fittest mode of effecting it . But in choosing a suitable mode of accomplishing any thing , we have often two points to consider , efficiency and propriety . A mode may be efficient , that is , equal to producing the intended
effect , but upon more extended consideration it may not appear proper . Now , as the forgiveness of sins is more a sovereign act of God than a natural process , so the propriety of the mode in which it is to be
accomplished is a point probably more to be considered than Its efficiency . And here it is that I think many Unitarians err : they regard almost exclusively the natural efficiency of the Christian
mode of redemption , paying little attention to its moral propriety . It is my object to recommend this latter t& their consid ^ ratfeto . It may be considered both In' relation to God
an # man . And let \ is not forget , in te&pebt to wjiat efc < i ft was ^ fi ^ at it hto $ this motiftl p * o |* rtety . ThM end wtfet the for ^ ii ^ nfss of sifts ; prt the confirmation fcff tlt&trttitfc , not" tlttj $ ettStfg m fcxtfnSpfe ctf frfg ^ otfcites tf .
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144 On the Remission a / Slri& .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1823, page 144, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1782/page/16/
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