Page:Doctrine of the cross of Christ, stated and improved.pdf/15

 that are in Christ Jesus, they are justified freely by his blood; so justified, that nothing is laid to their charge; so justified, as to stand complete in Christ; so justified, as to be beheld without spot by the eyes of infinite purity.

4. The cross of Christ is the conquest of our enemies. Captivity itself is led captive.--The powers of darkness are overcome. Jesus has spoiled principalities and powers, triumphing over them on the cross. They may yet be permitted to distress us for at while, but the God of peace shall bruise Satan and all his legions, under our feet shortly.

Our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed. The decree is gone forth, which shall never be reversed, "Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. After the Apostle Paul had been uttering that pathetic exclamation, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" he immediately adds, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord;" a glorious prospect of complete victory opened to his view, which turned his mourning into joy.

The cross of Christ delivers us from this present wicked world, with all its shares and vexations. The divine Redeemer died