History of Presbyteriant'sm

tion and all his desire. When the sinner discovers the deceitfulness of his own heart, and knows its desperate wickedness with his inability to eradicate the seeds of evil, he is glad to know that Christ promises to take away the stony heart, and put his Spirit within him. He can then glory in the cross of Christ, by whom the world is crucified to him and he unto the world. No other power can accomplish this; no other “blood can purge the conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Were it not for Christ, the sinner must remain guilty, unholy, and perishing.

Again, Christ is all in all to the true Christian. Christ is the object of his faith, the foundation of his hope, and the source of his blessings. His de- pendence for salvation is placed entirely on the per- son, obedience and death of Christ. The more he meditates on the person and work of Christ, the more he sees him to be just such a Saviour as is suited to his condition. Hence his faith is strength— ened, and his confidence increased. He trusts in Jesus, and is not afraid. All the more firmly does he confide in him, because there is no Saviour be— sides him, and that he accomplishes alone the work of his salvation. As a divine person he possesses almighty power; and this, when apprehended, fur- nishes to the humble believer a strong ground of confidence, and supplies the assurance that what he _ has promised he is able also to perform. He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God.

Christ is also the only foundation of the believer’s

276