This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: … CHAPTER VII. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE APPEARS FROM THE NATURE OF THE SALVATION. St. Paul does not content himself with merely affirming that the salvation purchased by Jesns Christ is true and undoubted; but he leads us also to regard it as a great and important truth, which we have the most lively interest in believing, which is altogether worthy of our love and admiration, and which should be received with joy and eagerness; thus affording an additional reason to feel confidence in the salvation of the Gospel. The first condition, doubtless, required in a doctrine of this kind is, that it should be true; it should be founded on clear and evident proofs, otherwise it ought not to be entertained. But beside evidence and certainty, a doctrine may have other characters, which render it more or less worthy of acceptation and esteem. Thus it is with the doctrine in question. It is not only, as has been shown, a certain and undoubted truth; but it also possesses certain features of greatness and utility which render it, in an eminent degree, worthy of all acceptation. In order to show that the redemption is a truth of that importance, it will be necessary to consider the nature of the salvation which Jesus Christ brought upon earth; the means by which He purchased it for us; the relief which it adds to the Divine perfections; the great interest which we have in believing it, and being thoroughly convinced that Christ died for us; and, finally, the efficacy which it should have in reforming the manners, and regulating the lives of men. The nature of the salvation which Jesus Christ purchased by His death, is the first point of view from which the mystery of the cross appears worthy of all acceptation. In what does it consist? In order to…
