In conclusion, I shall quote passages from the first three AgreeGospels which, not by implication but expressly, assert ent of

1 On the implied agreement between the first three Gospels and that of St. John, see Canon Liddon's Bampton Lectures on our Lord's Divinity.

EE

the other

418

PAUL AND JOHN ON THE PERSON OF CHRIST. [CH. XXVII.

Evangel doctrines respecting the Person of Christ identical with those of John and Paul.

ists with

St. John.

Christ as

sociated

on terms

"All things are delivered unto me of my Father, and no with God [one] knoweth the Son but the Father: neither knoweth any [one] the Father [but] the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." (Matthew xi. 27, and Luke x. 22.)

of equality.

Christ's

present

glory.

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go power and ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them [into] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy [Spirit]: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew xxviii. 18-20.)

Christ

"I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your identified adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." (Luke xxi. 15.)

with the

Holy
Spirit,

The perfect identity of doctrine between the Apostles Paul and John is in some degree obscured by the very circumstance-namely, their total difference in expression— which, as I have endeavoured to show, gives to that identity of doctrine its importance as proof of the trustworthiness of both. Although these reasonings are critical, they do not need any erudition in order to appreciate them. No evidence has been used in this chapter except that which is contained within the bocks of the New Testament.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF A FUTURE LIFE.

stinctive

WE have seen in the preceding chapters that the in- The instinctive moral and spiritual sense of man hopes and hope for longs for a revelation of Divine justice and mercy, and can both justice and be satisfied with nothing short of their perfect fulfilment mercy -the perfect fulfilment of justice in the defeat of sin, and of mercy in its destruction, involving also the extinction of all suffering," and all that is at war with bliss."

by the ex

But how can justice and mercy be fulfilled together? how can God be just, and yet at the same time justify a sinner? The clearer is our sense of holiness, the more deeply is this perplexity felt: and by the highest moral intelligence it is recognized as the only possible answer, that the sinner must by repentance cease to be a sinner. On repentance he is certain to be forgiven and justified. can be fulBut the more clearly this is seen, the more clearly is it filled only also understood that such repentance as can alone satisfy tínction Divine Justice and Divine Mercy is impossible to man:that such repentance implies being born anew, and that Only this is possible only on condition of being born from above.1 But because this is impossible to man, God has provided effect this. a supernatural means whereby it may be effected, namely through the Incarnation and Atonement of Christ :-a It is done means whereof the operation is no doubt altogether inex- through plicable and mysterious, but not more mysterious, though a higher mystery, than the facts of life, and the develop

1 The word ärweer has these two meanings. See the Gospel of St. John ii. 3 and 31.

of sin.

1 Divine power can

Christ.