The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-03-28


gift itself. How contrary to the view of the New
School needs further Illustration. In that sys-
tenn it is boldly and BADLY stated that the penalty
of the law, strictly speaking, not inflicted. The
whole legal system has been suspended All that
the Atonement has effected for the sinner is to
place him within the reach of pardon. The Atone
ment does not of itself single soul It barely
opens the door for the accomplishment of this OBJ
ject by the free and sovereign grace of God"
The New School theologians attempt to lay it to
the account the Old School that they limit the
nature of the Atonement by restricting the extent
of it's application. The gospel has a universal
offer with condition annexed No one is author
lied to promise salvation except to those who
ply with the condition; the offer is to all who hear
the gospel-Athe promise is limited to the believer.
The Old School limits the application of the Atone
the condition: others extend it to the offer.
The condition is the logical limitation to the de-
signed application of the Atonement. But the Old
School put no limit on the value and possible enec-
tiveness of the Atonement simply because it is alb
solutey infinite in it's value. All the defamation
anent the necessity for Lord to die again
if soul and above those who
actually believe should be proposed for salvation,
is absurd. The extent of the Atonement is abso-
lutey concident with all who will be saved by
faith in the Saviour. The extent of the Atone
ment is measured by it's designed application, AMI
by nothing else. Its intrinsic value is infinite; it's
adaptation is as perfect every sinner is
the believer but that involves logical inconsis-
tency with it's intended application. But the New
School Interpretation of the Atonement destroys
expiatory propitatory character altogether,
and makes it nothing but a governmental display,
and its design to make an impression to give
lesson in order to prevent any evil results from
flowing of the Imperious Executive exercise of
the Pardoning Power by the mere sovereignty OF
God
This view is again strongly affiliated with
Unitari&nism Mr. Barnes says: from his
an impression went abroad the fartherest part
of the universe" DIR. Beman says I'VE may very
naturally suppose that it the design pur-
pose of God in saving sinners to make deep and
grand impression the universe" Dr. Dewey,
the Unitarian, seeks to explain the death of Christ
in the same way. The death of Lord, if he
bore sins in his body the tree the
Representative Substitute of those given him of
the Father, freely assuming their responsibilities.
commends itself to the of justice in the hui
understanding. 1t would shock the intrinsic
sense Of justice to make pay the debts of
another with whom he had connection. But
if a friend should forward of his own free
will and go upon his bond, there would be no viola
ton of justice to require the security to pay the
debt. 1t would be equally just where a life was
forfeited for a substitute who has absolute
thority his life to offer to die i'm his place
has right to offer to die in the place an
other simply because he holds his life a trust.
and has right to abandon it. But where the
person has absolute right to lay down his life
and has the power take it again, there every
thing i'm the sacrifcial history of the human
to warrant the substitute i'm Offering and the law
i'm accepting the representative substitution. 1t
would be a grand testimonial to justice and the
hexibility of moral law, and at the same time an
exhibition of grace and love unparalleled in the
history of the universe. Such was the expiatory
death of the Mediator of the Covenant of Grace.
He had absolute right to his life. He
came into the world for this very purpose He hal
the power to take it again, and his Resurrection
crowned his unparalleled work. The impression
made by this exquisite regard for law and Justice
would be infinitely powerful and sautarv
than the mere spectacular protest against constru-
ing the law intact in it's moral dignity, when i'm
fact all the claims of law and justice been set
uniLn III L.. L. L.