An Essay on the Remission of Sins

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846. Excerpt: ... AN ESSAY. Thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, beginning at Jerusalem.--Luke xxiv. 4(3, 47. Then they in Jerusalem that gladly received the words of the Apostles were baptized, and the same day there were added to the church about three thousand souls.--Acts ii. 41. The doctrine of remission, is the doctrine of salvation: for to talk of salvation without the knowledge of the remission of sins, is to talk without meaning. To give to the Jews a knowledge of salvation by the remission of their sins, was the mission of John the immerser, as said the Holy Spirit. In this way he prepared a people for the Lord. This doctrine of forgiveness was gradually opened to the people during the ministry of John and Jesus, but was not fully developed until Pentecost, when the secrets of the reign of heaven were fully opened to men. From Abel to the resurrection of Jesus, transgressors obtained remission at the altar, through priests and sinofferings; but it was an imperfect remission as respected the conscience. For the law, says Paul, (more perfect in this respect than the preceding economy, ) containing a shadow only of the good things to come; and not even the very image of these things, never can, with the same sacrifices which they offer yearly, make those who come to them perfect. Since, being offered, would they not have ceased? because, the worshippers being once purified, should have no longer conscience of sins. The good things to come were future, during the reign of Moses and his institution. They have come; and a clear, and full, and perfect remission of sins is the great result of the new economy in the consciences of all the citizens of ih...