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you * permission , resume the subject . 1 then contended , in effect , that the mediation of Jesus Christ , especially his sufferings and death , were set forth in Scripture as the way or method in which it had seemed good to the
Divine Wisdom to grant to mankind remission of sins , that is , deliverance from the consequences of transgression , and restoration to the privileges of the Divine favour . I disclaimed
entirely the hypothesis of vicarious punishment for the satisfaction of Divine justice , and maintained that the reasons and advantages on account of which this method of redemption has
been adopted , at least as far as our knowledge extends , are derived from its tendency to promote repentance and lasting righteousness . But I was anxious that this should not be
understood in too limited a sense , as if nothing further were considered than that repentance which immediately precedes and procures forgiveness . For I thought that the sentiments with which the knowledge of Jesus tends to inspire the pardoned , had at least as much concern in this matter as the
call which it gives to the unconverted ; and that the views of the Divine character and government which the history of redemption unfolds , might be as proper an accompaniment to the forgiveness of sins as any change in
the dispositions of man . In short , I wished to prove that the value of the mediation of Jesus , as a propitiation for sins , depended ^ not only on its tendency to awaken the sinner to repentance , but also on that which it has
to confirm the saint in righteousness , # | id to- illustrate certain features of the divine government and character . In Admitting a pen ken t sinner to a covcliaht of pardon and privilege , the state x > f the penitent ' s mind may not be the onl y thing which it is proper for the -Judge of the world to consider ,
< tbau | fh that alone may determine him to |) ar * lon , ) but also the icay or method oi proceeding that is most suitable to the case , and least liable to attendant evils . And we may easily conceive , that the great points to l > c secured in the selection or such a ine-Jthod will be t \ Vo : to secure the Divine
authority , one ; to secure the lasting repentance and amendment of the transgressor , the other . Tlmt these . were the great objects really aimed at
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in the Christian plan of redemption , is proved by these words of the apostle , which 1 quoted before : " Whom God fore-ordained as a propitiation , through faith in hi 3 blood , to declare his righteousness , that he might be just , and the justifier of him that
believeth in Jesus . " And again , "He gave himself for us , that he might redeem us from all iniquity , and purify unto himself a peculiar people , zealous of good works . " Thus I have briefly retraced the
chief points of my former argument , and I think with some additional plainness and simplicity . That the views here represented are not without considerable practical value , is rendered probable from the fondness with which
they are entertained , and the influence which is ascribed to them , even though in a distorted form , oy great numbers of very pious and intelligent Christians . For , where great and good effects are produced by any opinions which people entertain , we may
suspect that there is , as it were , a nucleus of truth in them , though disguised by a thick crust of error . But I think a consideration of the opinions themselves will shew that they have much tendency to promote both Cliristian holiness and comfort . The
history" of redemption displays most str % jiiigl y the areadful consequences which sin tends to produce , and the deep corruption with which it can infect the human heart ; it shews the difficulty of deliverance from its
consequences ; we behold both the goodness and severity of God ; we see the bright reward or perfect obedience in the exaltation of Jesus , while we ourselves are humbled , as sinners , by being obliged to receive salvation through the mediation of our righteous brother . Now , when we consider , th at
such lessons as these were what appeared to God especially necessary to be taught us , in connexion with the pardon of our sins , and our admission to be children of grace , we are the more convinced of the propriety and
importance of most seriously attending to them , and imprinting them deeply on our hearts : and thus our holiness is promoted . Ami when we see bucu . a plan as this adopted expressly , for
the purpose of dispensing mercy to sinners , when we see- * n objections which we might conceive to-our free
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524 On the Remission of Sin *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1822, page 524, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2516/page/4/
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