Those, says St. Paul, could not make him that
did the sacrifice perfect as pertaining to the conscience. They
could not give him a clear conscience; they could not make him sure
that God had forgiven him; they could not give him spirit and comfort
to say--Now I can leave the church a forgiven man, a new man, and
begin a fresh life; and go about my daily business in joyfulness and
peace of mind, sure that God will help me, and bless me, and enable
me to serve him in my calling.
No, says St. Paul. More than dead works are wanted to purge a man's
conscience. Nothing will do that but the blood of Christ. And that
will do it. He, the spotless Lamb, has offered himself to God, as a
full and perfect and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction
for the sins of the whole world; and therefore for thy sins, whoever
thou art, be thy sins many or few. Believe that; for thou art a man
for whom Christ died. Claim thy share in Christ's blood. Believe
that he has died for thee; that he has blotted out thy sins in the
blood of his cross; that thou needest not try to blot them out by any
dead works, forms, or ceremonies whatsoever; for Christ has done and
suffered already all for thee. Thou art forgiven. Put away thy
sins, for God has put them away; rise, and be a new man. Thou art
one of God's holy Church.
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