204 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. 4 : 25; that is, to make reconciliation for the sins of his people. Heb. 2 : 17, 18. This Moses and the prophets, this the whole Scriptures testify to ; and without sup- posing it not one word can be aright believed, nor can we yield any due obedience to God. Qu. 2. What then did Christ bear l What was the transaction between God as the Judge of all, and him as the Mediator of the church 1 .fins. God indeed " laid on him the iniquities of us all," Isa. 53 : 6 ; yea, he made him " a curse for us." Gal. 3 : 13. And making him a sin -offering, or an " offering for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh." Rom. 8 : 3; 2 Cor. 5 : 21. So that what the justice or law of God had to require in the punishment due to sin, was laid on him. Qu. 3. What then did Christ do in his death 1 What did he aim at and design ? What was his intention in submitting to the will of God in these things 1 .fins. " He bare our sins in his own body on the tree." 1 Pet. 2 : 24. He took our sins upon him, under- took to answer for them, to make an end of the differ- ence about them between God and sinners. Dan. 9 24. His aim undoubtedly was, by all that he suffered, so to make atonement for sin as that no more could in that respect be expected. Qu. 4. Had God any more to require of sinners on ac- count of sin, that his justice might be satisfied, his holi- ness vindicated, his glory exalted, his honor repaired, than what he chargedon Christ 1 Did he lay apart of the penalty due to sin on him, execute some part of the curse of the law against him, and yet reserve some wrath for sinners themselves 1 .fins. No, doubtless. He carne to do the whole will of God: Heb. 10, 7 : 8. And God spared him not any thing that in his holy will he required as an atonement for sin. Rom. 8 : 32. He would never have so dealt with his Son, to have made a half-work of it ; nor is the
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