200

THE KEY OF MYSTERIES

than all creation and higher than the heavens; 'bare 1 our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness.' 'He 2 was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.' The heinous nature of our sins was then clearly revealed when they caused the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time God's infinite love and mercy were manifested in the incarnation, life and death of the Lord Jesus, as it is written: 'Herein 3 was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.' So, too, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself said in the Gospel: 'God 4 so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.' Since no human being had power to save himself from sin and hell, and since it was contrary to justice that sin should be forgiven except through an atonement and propitiation, therefore the eternal Word of God, who is one with His Father, became man, and in our nature bore the suffering caused by our sins, in order that we might be pardoned and purified, set free from the slavery of


1 1Pet. ii. 24. 2 Isa. liii. 5.
3 1 John iv. 9-10. 4 John iii. 16.

DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY TRINITY

201

sin, and delivered from its awful consequences. Is it not true that in this matter God's love and mercy, as well as His holiness and His hatred of sin, become so clearly evident that it is impossible even to conceive of any better manner of manifesting them to men? Assuredly every one who has once realized in any measure the love and mercy of God, revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and has in humble faith and sincerity of heart accepted God's grace and favour in Christ—such a man will know with perfect certainty that, in spite of all his own past sins, he has obtained from the holy, righteous and merciful God forgiveness and acceptance in the Lord Jesus Christ and for His sake. Such a man will know well that God, of His love and, mercy, will do for him whatever is necessary for his attainment of eternal salvation, and for the enjoyment of everlasting holiness and felicity. Knowing that his loving heavenly Father will never forget him, the true Christian's heart is at rest, and his hope and trust in God are perfect and complete. Hence the true disciples of Christ can say, 'If 1 God is for us, who is against us? He that spared 2 not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?'

Those who have truly realized God's love in the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted it into their own hearts will assuredly love God with all


1 Rom. viii. 31-2. 2 i.e. grudged not.