Questions on Chapter 3.

the evils already incurred by sin; yet it may secure indemnity against similar consequences in the future, by saving us from turning again to sin and folly. Even so, in reference to spiritual things, repentance may prevent an accumulation of guilt in the future, but it cannot absolve from the guilt of a single sin of the past.

Repentance cannot change the divine law, nor the nature of the sin by which it has been insulted. And while these remain the same, on what principle can pardon be secured? The penalty must remain in its force, or the law, by the violation of which it has been incurred, must be satisfied, either in the person of the offender, or a substitute. The sinner, in his own person, can only meet the claims of the violated law, by suffering the penalty to the last jot and tittle. Nature can point to no substitute. The voice of reason speaks of no deliverer. The wealth of kings is too poor to purchase the pardon of one sin, nor can the wisdom of the schools show where it is to be found. But God, in his infinite wisdom and goodness, “hath found a ransom;” and revelation, shedding forth her beams upon the darkness of a guilty world, and lifting up her voice, cries: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!”

Natural religion can show us our misery, and pierce our vitals with the sting of sin; but revealed religion can point us to our remedy, and pluck that sting away. Natural religion may awaken our anxieties, tax the utmost powers of our reason, and suspend us forever, vibrating between hope and despair; but revealed religion places our feet upon the Rock, washes us from our sins, and anchors our hope in heaven. How precious, then, the revelation of God to a guilty world! How necessary to cheer us amid the darkness and gloom of this world, and to conduct us to the fruitions of the next!

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 3.

QUESTION 1. Revelation is necessary to teach three things — what are they?

2. In what sense is the term necessary here understood?

3. Are the possibility and probability of revelation implied by its necessity?

4. Why is it necessary for us to know our origin — our duty — our destiny?

5. Can we know our origin without revelation?

6. What notion had the pagans on this subject?

7. Why is a knowledge of our duty essential to the character of a moral agent?

8. What has always been the state of morals among pagans?

9. What crimes have they classed among the virtues?

10. Did their sages and philosophers sanction these crimes?

11. Why are modern skeptics wiser or better than ancient pagans were?

12. Why is revelation needed to teach us concerning our destiny?

13. What were the pagan views concerning the soul and immortality?

14. Why was revelation necessary to teach us the plan of salvation?

15. Wherein appears the superiority of revealed to natural religion?