Sin is never pardoned, was never pardoned, can never be pardoned, except on the ground of Christ’s death, making expiation. A rebel against supreme authority, and infinite love, has no possible ground to stand upon, except he take refuge in Christ, and plead his atonement, penitently received. Out of Christ “God is a consuming fire.” The infinite holiness of his nature cannot endure the presence of impurity. The sinner has nothing to shield him until he makes Christ his “covert.” He cannot hide his nakedness, the ugliness of sin, no more than Adam and Eve could hide the shame and guilt of their souls by sewing fig-leaves upon their bodies, until he is clothed upon with the all-perfect righteousness of Christ.

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