SERMON V.

CHRIST CRUCIFIED.

We preach Christ crucified.-1 Cor. i. 23.

To preach Christ crucified, is enforced by numerous passages of Scripture: but, plain as this doctrine may appear, much disputation has arisen with respect to its meaning. The whole of the New Testament, which refers to the glad tidings of Christ, the Saviour, by whose propitiatory sacrifice our sins are forgiven, and on which our hopes of immortality are founded, sufficiently, it might be imagined, point out what is intended by this important doctrine. There are, however, too many, who bear the Christian name, who, by an inconsistency for which it is difficult to account, contend that a moral life is the basis of salvation; thus virtually rendering the sacrifice of Christ of no effect.

Before we can duly estimate the value of Christ's sufferings, we must be sensible of that

sinful state in which we are, not only by nature, as derived from Adam, but from the sins which we have actually committed. If we are pure and undefiled in the sight of Godif we are perfect in our moral character—we have no need of a Saviour; the gates of heaven will open to receive us immediately on our departure from these earthly scenes: for Christ did not come "to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." If, however, we examine our own hearts, and scrutinize the whole course of our past lives, we shall find that we fall infinitely below the standard of purity and holiness which is requisite to make us acceptable in the sight of God. We shall find that we do not possess that degree of moral rectitude which will ensure our salvation. The offences we have committed by thought, word, and deed, will appear so numerous, as to deprive us of any confidence in ourselves. Such a scrutiny will lead every man to inquire by what means he may obtain salvation. Were the transgressor, in reply to such an inquiry, referred to the Decalogue, he would find, in the commandments there promulgated, the strongest proofs of his condemnation. But it is not a proof of his condemnation which is the object of the sinner's in

quiry; his earnest desire is to know by what means he can escape the dreadful sentence which threatens his violation of the holy commandments of God; to learn what method there is, by which he may escape the wrath to come? The Christian minister, therefore, in reply to this important question, will unfold the glad tidings conveyed in the New Testament. He will not only lay before the sinner the enormity of his sins, as an offence against God and man; but shew that the immense debt he has incurred may be cancelled, by a reference to HIM who has died for our of fences-who is the Saviour of all those that believe in him; that his pardon may be sealed in heaven, by faith in Him who is his suretyby reliance on the merits of Christ.

To state to a person, thus circumstanced, that the precepts he has broken are the basis of salvation, would be to drive him to despair: he could find no consolation in language of this description. But inform him that Christ has died for all men-that "though his sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool," if he will believe in Christ;-repeat to him the gracious words of Jesus, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and

heaven laden, and I will refresh you"-or the words of St. Peter, "Whoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins;"—then, if the sorrow of the guilty person, for what he has committed, be sincere, the rays of consolation will pervade his soul-he will perceive that the word of God is indeed the word of comfort-his sorrow will be turned into joyhe will find that the Gospel of the blessed God is the Gospel of truth, of peace, of salvation.

It might be urged by some, that the sacrifice of Christ may be misunderstood or misapplied; that, for the generality of mankind, it would be better to enforce moral precepts, and to leave the doctrine of the atonement to the investigation of theological disputants, as either being unnecessary, or void of truth. But such sentiments are a virtual denial of Christ; although many, who are influenced by them, are not probably aware of their error. Moral precepts cannot be too strongly enforced; but, that the desired effect may be produced, they must be enforced, not as the basis of salvation, which they cannot be in sinful man; but as the fruits of faith-as the strongest and necessary tokens of a grateful heart. They must be enforced, although not

as the grounds of salvation, yet (as might be shewn from the parable of the talents, and many other portions of Scripture) as entitled to a future reward, through the merits of Christ. All men have not violated the laws of God to the same extent; but all are guilty before God; all have need of repentance and a Saviour. The cross of Christ must therefore be preached to all.

The doctrine that our salvation results from faith in Christ, and his sufferings, is considered by many as dangerous and erroneous. That it is not erroneous, may be shewn by almost every chapter in the New Testament. What, therefore, is the word of God cannot be dangerous: it may be perverted to a bad use, like like many other blessings of Divine Providence. But if the doctrine of salvation through faith in Christ be the doctrine of the New Testament, who shall have the boldness to deny it?

The great Apostle of the Gentiles, in his Epistle to the Romans, first points out the depravity of all mankind, and their justification by faith he then inculcates the purest morality that ever was enjoined. The Christian minister will find in this a precedent for