Imatges de pàgina
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Should the ministers of the gospel, of the various denominations, become properly impressed with the idea, that the atoning sacrifice was indeed a display of love, not of wrath, and that it is the duty of Christians to be merciful, as our Father in heaven is merciful; with what alacrity will they lay aside their sectarian hostilities,— flock to the Christian standard of peace, and unite with peace societies to effect a pacific revolution throughout the world. Then we may hope to see Christian churches, what they always should have been, Peace Societies, dif· fusing a heavenly influence in every direction. The union of ministers and churches of different sects for such a purpose, would make them better acquainted with each other, and ashamed of their past bitterness and alienation.

When correct views of the atoning sacrifice shall prevail, the new commandment of Christ to his disciples, "that ye love one another as I have loved you," will be better understood; and it will find a place, and have a governing influence in the minds of Christians. They will cease to imagine that the spirit of war and persecution is consistent with the requirements of the gospel, or the truths taught on the cross. It is to be expected, that ministers of the gospel will lead the way in this work of reforming the world. When their minds shall have been melted into contrition and love one to another, in view of the gospel sacrifice and the new commandment, the influence of these sentiments will ascend even to the highest seats of authority; and, like the oil poured on the head of Aaron, it will descend to the skirts or lowest ranks in society. It will have a saving effect in the education of the young, and cause children to be so trained up in the way they should go, that when they are old they will not de

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part from it. Then millions of every land may casion to unite in the transporting language,-" Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" and, Behold the Lamb of God who has taken away the wars of the world!

CONCLUSION.

IT has been my aim in the preceding chapters fairly to exhibit and explain such passages of Scripture, as have been most relied on as teaching the doctrine of vicarious punishment; and, on a review of what I have written, I do not find that I have failed in that particular. Sure I am, that no text has been omitted from an unwillingness to meet the most weighty arguments in favor of that view of the atoning sacrifice; and equally sure I am, that no text has been designedly perverted to favor my own hypothesis. In the present state of public feeling, some may probably deem it both arrogant and presumptuous in me, to dissent from what has been for ages so generally believed to be true. I have reflected much on this circumstance, and have endeavored to weigh it in an even balance. To dissent from public opinion on a subject of such importance is not a light thing; and I am not, and ought not to be, indifferent in regard to my own reputation. The general opinion of others has been regarded by me, as one of many powerful reasons, why I should examine the subject with great care, and not be hasty in my decisions;

but not a reason why I should continue to acquiesce in the popular belief, contrary to the convictions of my own mind, nor a reason for suppressing what I believe to be true. For I have also reflected on the facts, that there was a time when all our ancestors were Pagans; at a later period, they were all Papists; and had there been no men to hazard their reputation by publishing unpopular opinions, we should now have been all Papists or Pagans. There was a time when the doctrine of transubstantiation had been so long the general belief of Christians, that it was at imminent peril that any one called in question its correctness. But after a long night of darkness on this subject, God raised up one and another to examine, and to express their views of dissent. Others embraced their views, and now all the Protestants of Christendom reject as absurd, what their forefathers regarded as an essential doctrine, although the majority is still against them. Have I not, then, the example of all who have been worthy of the name of Reformers, and even the example of the many millions of Protestants, to justify me in attempting to correct what I believe to be erroneous views of an important doctrine?

Besides, I have reflected on what has been the state of things in Christendom, since the age of Constantine; how constantly inquisitive men have had to pursue their inquiries, at the hazard of reputation, if not of life. Such having been the perils attending free inquiry, it cannot be very wonderful, should it be found a fact, that some gross errors of long standing have failed of being detected. However, if after much examination, the gospel had even seemed to me to teach the common theory of the atonement, I should, probably, have been silent on this subject.

But as I could find no satisfactory evidence in favor of the popular views, I have felt at liberty to speak of them as I do of other opinions which appear to me erroneous. But firmly believing that good men may be in great errors, and not doubting that I may yet be in errors which others will correct, it has been my aim to avoid every thing censorious or reproachful in regard to the moral characters of men from whose opinions I dissent. If on this point I have failed, I shall surely need the forgiveness of God; for it must have been very offensive to him, if in writing on the atoning sacrifice as a display of his love, I have violated the principle on which I believe that sacrifice to have been made.

If it be a truth, as I have attempted to show, that the prevalent views of the atonement have no tendency to render the principles of war abhorred, or to excite and cherish in men a forbearing and forgiving spirit; this is, surely, strong ground for suspecting that these views are not accordant with the gospel. For of all the peculiarities of the Christian religion, there is no one by which it is more distinguished, than that of its benign, forgiving, and pacific character. Its founder was "the Prince of peace," who was sent by "the God of peace," with a heavenly message called" the gospel of peace;" and one of the objects of the Messiah in laying down his life was to "make peace through the blood of the cross." How incongruous then with these facts, is the hypothesis, that this reconciling sacrifice was made by a vindictive display of God's justice on his innocent Son as our substitute !

With such views of the vindictive nature and purposes of the atonernent, Christians have not only been warriors, but persecutors of one another, and this to an extent.

which perhaps was never surpassed by Pagans, Jews, or Mahometans. This certainly is a most disgraceful trait in the character of a people who profess the religion of love and peace. The same spirit which the unbelieving Jews indulged, in crucifying the Lord of glory, has been a thousand times indulged by his professed followers in persecuting one another. Such flagrant apostacy from the spirit of our religion must have had a cause, perhaps many causes, among which may probably have been false and popular views of some doctrines, particularly that of the atonement. I may here ask, would such views of the atoning sacrifice as I have endeavored to support, ever dispose men to persecute one another? If at any time they should feel a vindictive spirit rising in their bosoms, would not a recollection of the forgiving love displayed on the cross allay this passion, and melt their hearts into tenderness? Viewing the sacrifice as a display of forbearing, forgiving love towards enemies, what Christian could raise his voice, lift his hand, or move his pen, to injure a dissenting brother?

But, on the other hand, if we habitually contemplate the sufferings of Christ as the effects of God's anger,-as a proof that God could not forgive the penitent but on such ground, can it be wonderful if such contemplations cherish in us correspondent feelings towards our fellow sinners? Can it be surprising, if such views have had influence to encourage sectarian as well as political hostilities? and may not such views have done much to produce such a state of feeling, that "even to discuss the subject of atonement is at present putting to hazard a man's good name, if not his standing in the church!" If the writer in the Christian Spectator was correct in sup

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