Another important part of the preaching of the cross consists in a full disclosure of the entire depravity and helplessness of our fallen nature.  This doctrine lies at the foundation of Christianity.  It is from the corruption of our race, the dominion of spiritual death, and the actual sentence of condemnation, that the necessity arises for so great salvation.  If hope could have been afforded from any other source, if there had been any possibility of the sinner’s expiating his own guilt, and restoring himself to the divine favour, the great Sacrifice would never have been offered.  But until men are convinced of their apostacy and corruption, they will never be persuaded of the truth and necessity of the great atonement.  And until they feel themselves justly condemned, and utterly helpless, they will never come as humble suppliants to a Saviour’s feet.

The work of the Holy Spirit, in enlightening and renewing the hearts of sinners, and thus carrying on to their accomplishment the purposes of divine mercy, forms also an important portion of the message of the Gospel.  It is the glorious achievement of the cross, to slay the enmity and subdue the stubbornness of the sinful heart:  and the infinite blessing purchased by the Saviour’s blood, is the gift of the Holy Spirit, to effectuate that transformation of character, that spiritual regeneration, without which salvation is utterly impossible.  The preaching of the cross, therefore, must include an unwavering declaration, that the working of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost are indispensable to salvation.

It is moreover essential to a faithful preaching of the cross, that justification by faith in Christ, should be distinctly declared as the only ground of a sinner’s hope.  That view of the Gospel which represents it as bestowing upon man a power of fulfilling God’s holy law—­or as so lowering its demands as to render his imperfect obedience acceptable—­is most dishonourable to God, and ruinous to the souls of men.  No such provisions are found in the treaty of reconciliation sent from Heaven.  So far from abrogating, the Gospel exalts and honours the law.  So far from diminishing its strictness, it adds emphasis to its claims, and fully meets its unmitigated requisitions.  Most gloriously has Christ vindicated the divine justice, by receiving its avenging sword in his own bosom, as the Substitute, or surety for sinners; and most effectually has he provided for their salvation, by rendering the exercise of pardoning mercy consistent with the principles of the divine government, and by working out for them a perfect righteousness, which may render them just before God.  By faith, the penitent sinner receives all these blessings—­is rescued from wrath, delivered from the guilt and bondage of sin, and made a child of God, and an heir of eternal life.  Thus the triumph of the cross is complete, the pride of human merit is humbled in the dust, and all the glory of the salvation of sinners is rendered to the riches of redeeming mercy.