Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/31

Rh for the enjoyment of heavenly happiness? Such a scheme of salvation, as that here alluded to, certainly puts at defiance every principle of sound reason, and throws into shade all our ideas of the divine attributes and perfections. Above all, it is entirely opposed to the truth of divine revelation, when properly understood; for this very distinctly teaches, that God is a Being of pure love and mercy, and that all the satisfaction or atonement, which he requires, is, that we on our parts endeavour by repentance to forsake our sins, to put away from us the evil of our doings, and to turn to him with sincerity of heart; in short, as the prophet says, "to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God:" while he on his part is ever present with his Spirit to give us the power so to do, and to direct our steps in the way that leads to everlasting life.

In agreement with these sentiments it is written, "To obey is better than sacrifice," 1 Sam. xv. 22. "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required," Ps. xl. 6. The same is again repeated in another place, in nearly the same words, but with an addition, explaining the kind of sacrifice that really is acceptable to Jehovah: "Thou hast not desired sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt-offering: the sacrifices of God are a broken heart," Ps. li. 16, 17. Jehovah likewise by his servant Hosea says, "I desired mercy, and not sacrifice," Hos. vi. 6: which words are expressly quoted by our Lord in the Gospel, as having an immediate reference to the great end for which he came in the world: see Matt. ix. 13. And though many have inferred, that the sacrifices and burnt-offerings, enjoined the children of Israel, were acceptable to Jehovah in consideration of their