The immediate cause of such rapid and unexpected success was, undoubtedly, the overruling providence of its great Authour: but, besides this, the religion itself was excellently adapted to the condition and circumstances of man, and carried its own recommendation along with it, in that remedy which it provided for the guilt and degeneracy of human nature. Even the doctrine of the cross could not appear foolishness, or be a stumbling block to any, when every circumstance concerning it was, properly, explained. For when men are told that Jesus suffered and died upon a cross, in order to make an atonement for the sins of mankind when they are assured that that same Jesus who was crucified and slain, rose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and will come again to judge the quick and the dead, all prejudices must vanish, and all men must be disposed to confess, that "this is a faithful saying, and worthy of "all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into "the world to save sinners."

The text (1 Cor. i. 18) presents to our consideration two important ideas. The first is the preaching of the cross, that is, of the atonement for sin which Christ made by his suffer

ings and death upon the cross.

The second

is, the effect of this doctrine, namely, that it is the power of God to those who are saved. I shall attempt,

I. To explain the nature of Christ's atonement for sin, and

II. To illustrate the purposes which the doctrine of salvation by Christ's atonement answers, that we may be able to infer the truth and meaning of the Apostle's assertion, that the preaching of the cross is the power of God to those who are saved.

We begin with explaining the nature of Christ's atonement: an important and interesting subject to which I solicit your attention, as it is the foundation of what follows when we come to the consideration of those great purposes which it is calculated to effect.

Man, by his disobedience, had forfeited his title to eternal life, had incurred the penalty pronounced against sin, and had rendered himself obnoxious to the divine wrath and displeasure. The justice of God required, that sin should not pass unpunished; his holiness excluded the impure sinner from his favour and enjoyment; and his truth made it necessary, that, the punishment which was threat

ened should be inflicted. All seemed now lost; man must perish without hope, and be for ever separated from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power.

race,

But long before days began to be numbered, and hours began to roll, even from eternity, it was decreed in the counsels of the Almighty to deliver man from going down to the pit, and to prevent the total ruin of the human Mercy interceded for us and implored our deliverance from punishment; but Justice interposed her voice and called aloud for that satisfaction which was due to the divine attribute. How, then, was a ransom to be found that would satisfy the demands of Justice, and at the same time allow room for the exercise of Mercy. This ransom man could not provide himself, for the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually and even though it had been in his power to repent and return unto God, yet this could have been of no avail. A return to obedience, though it may be accepted as a part of our duty, can never be considered as any compensation for the previous omission of it: and sorrow of the heart can be of no account with God, who delighteth not in the misery of his creatures.

pure

Indeed, no angel, no created being, however and exalted, could make any atonement for sin. For, as creatures, they must owe obedience on their own account; and, though a new nature and new powers were conferred, yet the duties and obligations resulting from them would also be binding, and consequently they could never perform an obedience, the merit of which could be imputed to another. But the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, when there was no eye which could pity, nor hand which could help, offered himself to undertake this arduous task. "Lo, I come," said he to his Father; "in the "volume of thy book, it is written of me, I delight to do thy will." For him a body was prepared; when the fulness of time was come, he assumed this body, he veiled that glory which he had enjoyed from eternity with the Father, he descended into our abodes of sorrow, he was made of a woman, and made under the law, he became the substitute of sinners, and though he did no sin, and though no guile was found in him, yet was he numbered among the transgressors. But he has satisfied the demands of divine justice, and made a complete atonement for the sins of men.

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This atonement consists of two parts, his sufferings and his obedience. The first was necessary to deliver the sinner from eternal destruction; the second, to purchase for him an eternal inheritance.

Jesus Christ having taken upon himself the guilt of sinners, likewise submitted to their punishment. From the day of his birth to the day of his death, he lived in poverty, distress and suffering. He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. But towards the close of his life, his sufferings increased with redoubled violence. In the garden of Gethsemane, he sweated great drops of blood, and gave signs of the inexpressible anguish and agony of soul which he endured, by praying to his Father in these words, "Father, if it be possible, let

this cup pass from me." His soul was exceedingly sorrowful even unto death: his body was racked and torn upon the cross. But these were the least part of his sufferings.— He groaned under that immense load of wrath which was due to millions of sinners: the powers of hell combined against him in this hour of darkness: his heavenly Father withdrew from him the light of his countenance;