Page:Doctrine of the cross of Christ, stated and improved.pdf/10

 Gospel.--What is the Gospel but a from Heaven, of mercy of peace,  of salvation, through the sufferings  death of the Son of God? Of Gospel what is the sum? What do the four Evangelists relate? Then all for substance relate the same story; that story is rightly termed the Gospel. is the

The doctrine of the Gospel is the doctrine of the cross. We preach Christ crucified. "I determined," says one of the of his messengers inspired to bear his name before Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel, "I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." The death of Christ for our sins is the life of the Gospel. All the lines of evangelical truth meet in this one point. You cannot mention one individual branch of the sacred system which stands unconnected with it. Our being chosen to eternal life, our regeneration, our calling, our justification, our adoption into the family of God our sanctification, our perseverance in faith and holiness to eternal felicity, all have an immediate relation to the atonement of Christ. Take that foundation away, and the whole superstructure falls to the ground.

3. The cross of Christ is the salvation of sinners, The distinguishing character of