Part 3

Now the whole controversy with Rome turns on the power and application of that atonement to the conscience of sinners. It is not a question of mere historical antiquity, or ecclesiastical genealogy, but one involving the soul’s peace. The soul needs peace, and in the Scriptures peace is promised. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you,” was the clear and unfailing promise of the Lord. But in order to [obtain] that peace we must receive the atonement as God has revealed it, viz., as a full, perfect, and final expiation for our sin. How can there be peace while we are striving to effect an impossibility, and to make satisfaction to that broken law which could only be satisfied by the blood of the Son of God? How can there be peace while we are toiling to reach the atonement instead of simply trusting it, and hoping by holiness, good works, and penance to make such a qualifying righteousness, as shall fit us for the reception of the grace of God? How can there be peace if the justice of God still hangs over the accepted believer, and requires centuries of purgatorial flame as a further expiation for his forgiven sin? How can there be peace if we are to regard the work on the cross as still requiring repetition in the mass, and directed to the Saviour as still offered on the altar instead of mediating at the right hand of God?

Away then with all thoughts of any human satisfaction, of anything that man can do to make a compensation for his sins! Our one compensation is the fact that the Lord Jesus has endured the curse of all. Away with all limits to that work of his, which may either fetter its freedom or detract from its fulness! our hope is that it reaches down so low that the guilty sinner need bring nothing as the purchase of his reconciliation, and it rises so high that he stands accepted in the righteousness of God. Away with all thoughts of either requiring or presenting any fresh propitiation, with all idea of offering a second time the risen Lord, who now reigns exalted on the throne. The one great propitiation was enough, and we want no more. We know that there is deep corruption eating into the very heart’s core; we know that we cannot stand a moment before God without atonement, but we know also—and we hope to spend eternity in praising God for that blessed knowledge, that the atonement then made was perfect; and that he who then died our death now lives to perfect our life. On him therefore we cast the whole burden, without limitation, as without reserve, and trusting to him and his work, we find peace and salvation for our souls.

PRAYER TO BE USED AT THE MEETINGS OF THE ISLINGTON PROTESTANT INSTITUTE.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, and hast promised that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it; we approach Thee in the name of Him who is the one Mediator, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

We praise and magnify Thy holy name for Thy distinguishing goodness towards us as inhabitants of this Christian land, and members of a Reformed and scriptural Church. [We adore Thy grace in that wonderful interposition of Thy Providence, by which our fathers were rescued from the yoke of superstitious bondage, and taught to serve Thee in spirit and in truth.]

But we confess that we have not rendered again according to the benefit we have received. We have neither prized nor improved our privileges as we ought. [We have sinned, and our fathers have sinned, and we have reason to fear lest there should be wrath upon us and upon our people, and lest Thou shouldest pour out the spirit of slumber and delusion upon us.] Yet Thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy. Remember not our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

Direct our hearts and minds by Thy Holy Spirit. Give us understanding of the times to know what we ought to do. Let Thy merciful help especially prevent and follow us as members of this Society. May we begin, continue, and end everything in Thee. [Let us not contend for names and words, but for Thy glory, and the truth of Thy Gospel.] Grant us a simple love of the truth, and an experimental acquaintance with it. [Let us not be “carried about with divers and strange doctrines,” but let our hearts be “established with grace.”]

And let us not only believe with the heart, but with the mouth make confession. With meekness of wisdom may we ever be ready to defend our principles and to protest against error. Let us unite holy zeal, boldness, and stedfastness, with a spirit of genuine charity. Grant us a right judgment in all things, Christian unanimity in our counsels, and perseverance in well-doing. [Keep us humble, depending entirely upon the promised grace and help of Thy Holy Spirit, and watchful, as those who are not ignorant of the devices of Satan.]

Raise up, we earnestly entreat Thee, champions for the truth; revive in our days the spirit of the martyrs and reformers of old. Spare to Thy Church those who are zealous for Thee. May the faithful never fail from among us, but let the rising youth be trained to walk in the good old paths.

And as Thou hast commanded prayers and intercessions to be made for all men, we beseech Thee for our sovereign lady, Queen Victoria, [that she may ever be mindful of the responsibilities of her office and the obligation of her oath. Bless abundantly] the Ministers of State [Guide] and [govern] the senate of our land. [Strengthen and encourage those Protestant Representatives who are faithful to Thy cause; increase their influence, and add to their numbers. Pour out Thy Spirit upon all estates of the realm, the clergy and the laity, the rich and the poor. May they strive together, as members of one body, for the common faith. Let it please Thee to comfort and succour all oppressed Protestants, and confessors of the truth, enabling them to forgive their enemies, and to maintain their own stedfastness.] And very earnestly do we beseech thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred and are deceived. Strengthen such as do stand, and raise up them that fall.

[Finally, we commend ourselves and the work of our hands unto Thee, entreating Thee to accept our persons and our services, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; and so to overrule all events,—nay, even the errors and infirmities of Thy servants,—to the advancement of Thy glory, and the good of Thy Church, that truth and liberty, piety and peace, may be established among us to all generations.]

These and all other mercies we humbly beg in the name and mediation of JESUS CHRIST, our most blessed Lord and Saviour.

AMEN.

N.B. The passages within brackets may be omitted at discretion.

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[Picture: Decorative graphic with initials J. H. J.]

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The SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES of our PROTESTANT CHURCH. Second Edition. Price 3_s._

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FOOTNOTES.

{7} Rom. iii. 25, 26.

{10} Counc. Trent, Sess. xiv. cap. 9. The following extracts are added, in order to show that the Decree quoted in the text is by no means an isolated passage. “The punishment of penance undertaken by us averts God’s anger, and the punishments decreed against us.”—Cat. Pars ii. 99.

Works of penance are “compensations for past guilt, and redeemers of sin.”—Ibid. 104.

Of the mass it is said, that in it “Christians merit the fruit of his passion, and satisfy for sin.”—Ibid. 79.

{11} Cat. Pars ii. 29.

{12} Art XI.

{13a} Council Trent, Sess. vi. Can. 11.

{13b} Cat. pars ii. 100.

{13c} Counc., Sess. xiv. Can. 14.

{15a} Sess. vi. Can. 30.

{15b} Cat. pars ii. 98.

{17} Sermon on Justification.

{19} Acts xiii. 33.

{20a} Council xxii. 2.

{20b} Catechism, Pars ii. 83.