The gospel itself is nothing more than the announcement of pardon, and acceptance to the ungodly, through the obedience unto death of the Son of God. In the proclamation of it it is to be unalloyed with its effects. What it makes him who is given to believe it, has nothing to say to his acceptance with God. The sinner is not accepted because of the character which he has obtained, or shall obtain; but because Christ died for sinners; and he knows that there is forgiveness with God, by no other means than by believing what God has revealed. The declaration of pardon is free as the air we breathe, and is addressed to men, as sinners justly condemned, and ready to perish.

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