blood of Jesus. Since we are writing upon the glorious
themes of the New Testament we shall say but little of the justification
by the sacrifices of animals.

Justification implies a forgiveness of sins. The sense of guilt resulting
from a transgression of God's law is removed. The justified therefore
experience a safety, a peace and rest. Fears and uncertainties are
banished, and the soul is filled with confidence and hope. "Therefore
being justified by faith we have peace with God." Rom. 5:1. Peace is the
natural result of justification. It is sin that destroys the happiness of
man. Before sin entered into this world man lived in a delightful Eden.
His heart was open and frank before God, and he rejoiced in his presence.
Sin brought a sense of shame and guilt, and he hid from the presence of
God. All men admire the innocency of childhood. The peaceful countenance
of an infant, its freedom from care, anxieties and unrest but remind us of
the peacefulness of pardon.

There was a justification by the law, but the law day has passed away. We
have come to the gospel day in which no flesh shall be justified by the
works of the law, but by "the faith of Jesus Christ." Gal. 2:16; 3:11. The
Bible promises nothing more in justification than a full pardon of all
transgression and restoration to childhood innocency. "And Jesus called a
little child unto him and set him in the midst of them and said, Verily I
say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Mat. 18:2, 3. A justified man
is as innocent and free from transgression as a little child. Is it not a
just cause of surprise that men will teach the forgiveness of sins
necessary to the experience of justification, and yet teach that the
justified commit sin? "O Consistency, thou art a jewel."

It occurs to our mind that if men would use consideration, mingled with
reason and judgment, they would see the inconsistency of the above
teaching. Should a man who had used abusive language to you come and
penitently ask your forgiveness, you would forgive, but that does not give
him liberty to continue his abuse. When the penitent comes to God he will
pardon, but this does not give him liberty to continue in sin. God created
man with an intelligence, a reason and common sense. The ravages of sin
have greatly impaired these qualities of the mind that believes that
justification necessitates a forgiveness of sins, yet