But the amount of his sufferings had no respect to the amount of punishment that might have justly been inflicted on the wicked. The punishment of sinners is just as much deserved by them as if Christ had not suffered at all. Their forgiveness, therefore, is just as much an act of mercy as if there had been no Atonement. It is objected that it is unjust to punish an innocent being instead of the guilty. Yes, it would not only be unjust, but it is impossible to punish an innocent individual at all.
Punishment implies guilt.
An innocent being may suffer, but he cannot be punished. V. It is objected that the doctrine of Atonement is utterly incredible. It is objected to the doctrine of Atonement, that it is of a demoralizing tendency. There is a broad distinction between the natural tendency of a thing and such an abuse of a good thing as to make it the instrument of evil. The best things and doctrines may be, and often are, abused, and their natural tendency perverted.