Page:A Defence of Revealed Religion.pdf/23

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THE FALL AND ATONEMENT.
23

We might adduce numerous testimonies from the Word in support of the view that it was no Second Person, nor no human being, that accomplished the work of our Redemption, but shall reserve them until we separately consider the subject of the Saviour's Divinity. At present we would confine our attention to this view as it affects our conception of Deity. In it we see that the grand work of bringing about reconciliation between God and man was not delegated to another, or performed by a substitute. "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation unto Him." It was a work involving suffering and temptation; for against the personification of virtue wicked men and evil spirits leagued themselves together to accomplish His downfall.

But the Saviour conquered all His foes by the power of truth and love. His weapons were from the armoury of divine truth, and His breast was animated by the ardour of divine love, while His arm wielded the force of divine power. He was in truth very God, and very man.

Thought fails to see how God could more clearly manifest His love than by an act like this—coming down that He might help men to rise—not by keeping the law instead of them, but for their sakes. He came not to do our work, but to enable us to do it. "To them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name."