16

DARK CONCEPTIONS OF GOD.

of his guilt and danger, but practically ignorant of the Gospel in relation to himself,beholds God, by the lightning of his accusing conscience, -as standing on Mount Sinai, armed with the sword of Law and Justice. Feeling that an interval is afforded him ere that sword descends,-ere he be beyond the reach of hope; and having no other distinct conception of averting the impending wrath, but by striving to merit, or in some way to propitiate the Divine favour,-he immediately labours to excite feelings of clemency in the heart of God-as he would do in the case of some awful earthly sovereign-whose wrath he had kindled, and into whose despotic hands he had fallen. Thus, he seeks to produce in the mind of God a willingness to pardon him by means of penitent feelings-ardent supplications-diligent efforts-as if no such willingness really existed.

And, what is still worse,-the Lord Jesus Christ is often, in such circumstances, regarded in a light which adds to the delusion. He is viewed-not as he is set forth in Scripture-the very gift and demonstration of God's love to the world;-but, as if he were personally far more inclined to befriend them,

FALSE VIEW OF THE REDEEMER.

17

than is the Father in Heaven! They behold him, therefore, as one, who, they hope, will become in some degree a shield to interpose between them and their dreaded Judge!— They are ignorant of the glorious truth which Christ spake when he exclaimed, "I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE.' '—one in nature-dignity and character-and one in mind and heart to the human race. They know not,

that Jesus in all his life below, was ever manifesting the express image of God's person-ever revealing His heart in relation to man;—that the feelings of the Redeemer to the world-while bleeding on the Cross for their sins, and thereby longing to enrich them for ever with the treasures of his grace—were, even then, the exact representation of the eternal and unchangeable mind of HIM, from whom they flee as from an avenging enemy!

Now, it is manifest from Scripture, that no bewildered heathen ever arrayed his imaginary deity in attributes more essentially opposed to the true God,-than what are now referred to. And yet, what can be more common throughout our land-distinguished though it is for spiritual privileges,—than such views-such feelings of God-however

18

THE FATHER OF MERCIES.

much they may be covered over by imposing Scripture terms? And who can wonder? For to what other conclusions regarding God does much of the preached and published theology of our day tend? and by how many are such dark views of God even directly and openly maintained?

Doubtless, there are isolated passages of Scripture, which may easily be perverted from their real meaning and connection, to favour the advocacy of such soul destroying error. Nevertheless, the oracles of truth, as by one consent, describe the God of Heaven, as the 66 FATHER OF MERCIES," as being "GOOD AND READY TO FORGIVE"-through the blood of Christ-ready to respond at once to every sinner-even the chief, who, like the publican in the parable, draws near to God-not to awaken feelings of mercy in his bosom-but to plead, in the confidence of being heard, the exercise of a mercy already existing there; the personal application of the peace-speaking blood, -already poured out on behalf of the world.

They set Him forth as LOVE itself;-as so loving the world—all guilty--all worthless -all sunk in almost endless crimes-as it was

and is; that in order to save it-in perfect consistency with his high and holy attributes of justice, equity, and truth-he gave up his only-begotten Son to die for it. They reveal that He delivered him to make a grand provision for its deliverance from sin and all its consequences—and that He might maintain the infinite rectitude of his government in the sight of the universe, while sending forth His richest blessings and honours to the guilty, that He might be just while freely justifying the ungodly who believe in Jesus. Thus do they describe Him as full of compassion to every sinner,-infinitely willing to receive and embrace the vilest through Jesus Christ; even as did the father of the prodigal -his long-lost son.

To strive, therefore, to kindle gracious feelings in the heart of God—a heart in which intense compassionate love to us perpetually exists, and which the many waters of our sins could not quench;-to strive to dispose him to be willing to receive us, when the highest manifestations consistent with His character have been made, to demonstrate His perfect willingness to meet and welcome every sinner, who draws near to his throne of grace

20 THE GRAND DESIGN OF THE ATONEMENT.

by the "new and living way"-to be saved from sin and all its consequences, is exceedingly dishonouring to God. For, at once, it practically denies the revelation of His character in Christ-casts discredit on the plainest declarations of His word—and virtually makes Him "a liar." And, finally, to imagine that the death and intercession of Christ-though indispensably necessary to illustrate and glorify every attribute of God's character, while saving the world-were yet in any case required to cause God to feel love, or be inwardly desirous to save any man-is nothing else than the delusion of unbelief or deadly ignorance of God;-opposed, as light is opposed to darkness, to the clearest statements of the word of God.

Oh! did awakened souls only attend to "the word" which "is nigh them," they would soon make the wondrous discovery that the gracious feelings to them, which they are anxious to enkindle-ignorantly striving to produce in God-have from eternity existed. as an overflowing ocean,-ready, up to that moment-so soon as they believed in its source -and with submissive confidence touched the sceptre of God-to pour its happy floods into