from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses''." In this view the Gospel is called " the ministry of reconciliation :" and the one message which all the ministers of the Gospel have to declare, is, that " God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them^"]
2. Perfect peace of conscience —
[The annual repetition of the same sacrifices under the Mosaic dispensation shewed, that the sins for which they were offered were not yet fully pardoned. Hence they were rather " remembrances of sins" than actual means of forgiveness : and consequently *' they could not make men perfect as pertaining to the conscience*^."
But the atoning " blood of Christ really cleanses from all sin." It " purges the conscience^ ;" so that, being justified by it, " we have peace with God," and in our souls " a peace which passeth all understanding." " In fleeing to Christ for refuge, and laying hold on that hope that is set befoi'e us, we have strong consolation." Divine justice being satisfied, we are satisfied also. " We know in whom we have believed, and are assured that he is able to keep that which we have committed to him." According to his promise, " he keeps our minds in perfect peace, because we trust in hira :" he fills us with " peace and joy in believing," yea, " with joy unspeakable and full of glory."]
3. Perfect holiness of heart and hfe —
[The law commanded, but gave no strength for obedience. But Christ procured for his followers the gift of the Holy Spirit, " by whose effectual aid we can do all things" that are required of us. Absolute perfection indeed is not to be ex- pected in this life : for even St. Paul, after having ministered in the Gospel for twenty years, said of himself, " I have not yet attained, neither am I already perfect :" but evangelical perfection, which consists in an unreserved surrender of our whole souls to God, we may, and must attain. For this purpose are *' the Scriptures given, that by them the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works ^." For this purpose are the promises in particular revealed, that " by them we may cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of God^." Nor is holiness merely provided for us ; it is actually secured to us by the Gospel : " Sin shall not have dominion over us,
b Acts xiii. 39. '^ 2 Cor. v. 18, 19.
1 Heb, ix. 9, 10. and x. 1—3. « Heb. ix. 14.
f 2 Tim. iii. IG, 17. s 2 Cor. vii. 1.