Page:A Beacon to the Society of Friends.djvu/73

 his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted ; in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins." Eph. i. 4-7.

"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God; for he hath made

him to be sin [a sin offering] for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Cor. v. 19-21.

"In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren: that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." Heb. ii. 17.

"God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you." Eph. iv. 32.

See also under Ser. I. Ex. 2;—Ser. IV. Ex. 2. "Till we do every thing in our power."—Must we then first make the fruit good, that the tree may be good?

What saith the Scripture?

"Make the tree good, and his fruit good." Matt. xii. 33.

"Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring

forth good fruit." Matt. vii. 16, 18.

"The Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, have not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore?