Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/65

Rh , and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to his Father's justice in their behalf. He was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead." (P. 55.) In the same chapter of this work we are told that God justifies sinners "by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them"" (§ 1); and that "Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification." (§ 2.) In other parts of the same work we find mention made of Christ having borne the iveight of God's wrath, satisfied his justice, procured his favor, purchased reconciliation, etc. (See pp. 44, 161, 168.) In the Catechism (No. 2) of the Methodist Episcopal Church published in 1839, it is stated (p. 14) that "Christ, by means of his sufferings and death, offered a full satisfaction and atonement to Divine Justice, for the sins of the whole world." And immediately after, it is added by way of explanation, that, "because He was perfectly righteous, there was an infinite value and merit in his death, which, being undergone for our sakes and in our stead. Almighty God exercises his mercy in the forgiveness of sins, consistently with his justice and holiness."

Such is the commonly received doctrine of a vicarious atonement, as given in the words of its