This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... part I. state of the question. 1. Importance of the Doctrine of Forgiveness. The doctrine of Forgiveness Of Sin occupies an important place in Christian theology. As connected with the doctrine of the Atonement, it has been placed by many theologians in the centre of the Christian system, and has been called the essential doctrine of Christianity. It is prominent in the teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Its influence on the formation of the Christian character is, as I shall hereafter show, great and constant. Yet the subject is attended with difficulties, which past investigation has not wholly removed. On this account, it seems desirable that the doctrine should be examined anew, its difficulties fairly considered, and an attempt made to remove them. 2. Taught by Jesus in the Gospels. In the Gospels, we find our Saviour frequently speaking of the Forgiveness of Sin. In the Lord's Prayer, we are taught to pray for Forgiveness every day. Sometimes, when healing diseases, Jesus said to the patient, "Thy sins are forgiven thee." One of these occasions occurred near the commencement of his ministry, and is recorded in the second chapter of Matthew and the fifth of Luke. On this occasion, the scribes accused him of blasphemy, saying, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But Jesus assured them that he had power to forgive sins, and confirmed his assertion by healing the sick man. In another place (Luke, vii.), we have the remarkable story of the sinful woman, who washed his feet with tears, and anointed them with the ointment. At this time, Jesus not only said to her, "Thy sins are forgiven," but seemed to show that her love was a proof of it. She was not forgiven because she loved, but she loved because she was forgiven...