98 THE PRACTICAL USES [SERM. XXXVI. I proceed now to those which more immediately relate to our practice. This blessed doctrine of theatonement of Christ, runs like a golden thread through the whole of our religion : It unites the several parts of it in a sweet harmony, and casts a lustre over them all. Let us then particularly survey some of the various practical uses to which it may be applied. I. It is a solid foundation, on which the greatest of sinners mayhope for acceptance with God, when they return to him : It is a sufficient ground for their firm trust in Christ as a Saviour, and a reviving cordial against sinkingin despair. Let the crimes of a creature be ever so great and heinous, yet the atonement of the Son of God is equal to themall. Let the defilements and stains of the soul be ever so deep and crimson, the blood of Christ has a strange and divine virtue to wash 'them away, and to make the sinner white as snow, even in the sight of a holy God. Rev. vii. 14. " They washed their gar- ments, and made them white in the blood of theLamb." " This, is a faithful saying, as St. Paul tells Timothy, and worthy of all acceptation, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief," 1 Tim. i. And our Saviour assures us, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven tò men; Mat. xii. 31: because that he knew that he could make compensation to Divine Justice for all this guilt. Therefore all sorts of blasphemers and criminals shall be forgiven, but those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit in his highest at- testations to this gospel, a.nd utterly refuse this atone- ment of Christ. 1. John i. 7. The blood ofJesus Christ cleonseth usfrom all sin; it is a divine sacrifice, 'an all - sufficient propitiation, extensive as our iniquities. Jesus is an able, and an almighty Saviour, so that the vilest Of sinners need not despair, if they are but willing to return to God, and come unto him, that they may be saved in his own way. The deepest wounds that were ever made in the conscience by sins, against light, and against love, sins of long continuance, sins of old obstinacy, and repeated backslidings, sins of the black- est aggravations, may all be healed byapplying the blood of Çhrist. Awake, arise, O sinner, fly to the hope that 4
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