Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-10-24
Gods Way of Peace.

Dr.. Horatius Bonar, than which moth
ing clearer, more concise, and withal
more exhaustive, npon subject the
most vital to our human race, has
come under our observation for long
while. A few extracts from it will
indicate the scriptural soundness OF
the views advanced by this author in
the work mentioned, and the unusual
plainness aud force with which they
are stated.
Gods testimony concerning man as
a hopeless sinner in first adduced
So far from being seeker after or
lover Of God, man is a positive hater
of the divine Being; not an occasional
but always" sinner; I'm part with
many good things about him." but
wholly sinner, with no compensat'
ing goodness" Man is enemy under
condemnation breaker Of the right
eous law, and therefore under the
curse" The whole race Of Adam is
corrupt, not only bringing forth sin,
but carrying it about" as the second
nature-R mass" or body OF sin and
death. The heart, which 10 the man,
Is not right with God, and no "out-
ward good can make mp for this in
ward evil" Man AIDA to all the sin
of sins, that he does not believe on
the name OF the Son Of God" The
verdict of Him who knows us entirely,
and who loves us too we'll to be need
lessly severe, or yet to soothe or de-
ceiye us into our ultimate ruin, Is that
the race ia doomed on account of its
sin. mot against man as being
merely morally diseased or sadly I'M
fortunate, does God testify, but as
guilty Of death, under wrath, sent.
enced to the eternal curse, for that
crime Of crimes, heart not right
with God, and not true to HIS near
nate Son"
Nor will it do for man to hope for
any relief from this awful condition,
from any thing IN himself at all.
"Doings, feelings, strivings, prsyings,
givinge, abstainings, and the like, are
found to be no relief from sense of
guilt. II sin were but a disease or
misfortune, these might relieve, as
being favorable symptoms of return
ing health; but sin being guilt often
more than disease, and the sinner
beng not merely sick, but condemned
by the rghious Judge, none of these
goodnesses in man can reach the case,
for they cannot assure Of a complete
and righteous pardon" Conscience as
well as law demands justice iDfexble
to be melted out to sin; and the great
question comes, Glow can this be
satisfied? Can God receive the sinner
against his love and against his love
and the rebel against His righteous
govermentp
This we have answered in Jesus,
who enables God to be lust and the
justifier" of those who believe in
Jesus. "Turn your eyes to the cross,
and see two thlngs--the crucifers and
the cruclfed. The crucifers, the
haters of God and of his Son, are
yourselves Read in them your own
character, and cease to think of max
ing that ground Of peace. See the
crucitied. 1t is God Himself, who
made you, suffering, dying for the
ungodly." That is one ground of
peace. 1T is not by incarnation, but
by Understanding, that we are saved"
Christ is the sinners substitute, the
sin-bearer, the Saviour, not merely
the Helper Of our race. Our faith
recognizes in Ohrist's blood the pay
ment of our debt to God.
"Believe and be saved" Not as a
work, however; the less we think
about our faith the better. Our faith
Is not the finishing stroke "put to the
great undertaking Of the Son of Godn
Neither is faith to be made rest, or
something which, by it's "solidity or
excellence" is adapted to pacify the
conscience. But, II get light by
using my eyes," not by any scientific
analysis. Believing in the Lord
Jesus will do everything for us; be-
lieylng in our own faith will do moth
ing" "Faith is nothing save as ii
lays hold of Christ; and it does so by
laying hold of the truth or testimony
concerning Him. Faith cometh BY
i al