feel themselves
justly condemned, and utterly helpless, they will never come as humble
suppliants to a Saviour's feet.

The work of the _Holy Spirit, in enlightening and renewing the hearts of
sinners_, and thus carrying on to their accomplishment the purposes of
divine mercy, forms also an important portion of the message of the
Gospel. It is the glorious achievement of the cross, to slay the enmity
and subdue the stubbornness of the sinful heart: and the infinite
blessing purchased by the Saviour's blood, is the gift of the Holy
Spirit, to effectuate that transformation of character, that spiritual
regeneration, without which salvation is utterly impossible. The
preaching of the cross, therefore, must include an unwavering
declaration, that _the working of regeneration and the renewing of the
Holy Ghost_ are indispensable to salvation.

It is moreover essential to a faithful _preaching of the cross_, that
_justification by faith in Christ_, should be distinctly declared as the
only ground of a sinner's hope. That view of the Gospel which represents
it as bestowing upon man a power of fulfilling God's holy law--or as so
lowering its demands as to render his imperfect obedience acceptable--is
most dishonourable to God, and ruinous to the souls of men. No such
provisions are found in the treaty of reconciliation sent from Heaven.
So far from abrogating, the Gospel exalts and honours the law. So far
from diminishing its strictness, it adds emphasis to its claims, and
fully meets its unmitigated requisitions. Most gloriously has Christ
vindicated the divine justice, by receiving its avenging sword in his
own bosom, as the Substitute, or surety for sinners; and most
effectually has he provided for their salvation, by rendering the
exercise of pardoning mercy consistent with the principles of the divine
government, and by working out for them a perfect righteousness, which
may render them just before God. By faith, the penitent sinner receives
all these blessings--is rescued from wrath, delivered from the guilt and
bondage of sin, and made a child of God, and an heir of eternal life.
Thus the triumph of the cross is complete, the pride of human merit is
humbled in the dust, and all the glory of the salvation of sinners is
rendered to the riches of redeeming mercy.

In fine, _the preaching of the cross_ includes a faithful denunciation
of _eternal misery_, as the inevitable doom of all who pass from this
state of probation