The
Offence of the Cross Ceasing
By Thomas Scott
Leave out the holy
character of God, the holy excellence of his law, the holy
condemnation to which transgressors are doomed, the holy
loveliness of the Savior's character, the doctrine, and the
holy tempers and conduct of all true believers: then dress
up a scheme of religion of this unholy sort: represent
mankind as in a pitiable condition, rather through
misfortune than by crime: speak much of Christ's bleeding
love to them, of his agonies in the garden and on the cross;
without showing the need or the nature of the satisfaction
for sin: speak of his present glory, and of his compassion
for poor
sinners; of the freeness with which he dispenses pardons; of
the privileges which believers enjoy here, and of the
happiness and glory reserved for them hereafter: clog this
with nothing about regeneration and sanctification, or
represent holiness as somewhat else than conformity to the
holy character and law of God: and you make up a plausible
gospel, calculated to humor the pride, soothe the
consciences, engage the hearts, and raise the affections of
natural men, who love nobody but themselves.
And now no wonder if this gospel (which has nothing in it
affronting, offensive, or unpalatable, but is perfectly
suited to the carnal unhumbled sinner, and helps him to
quiet his conscience, dismiss his fears, and encourage his
hopes,) incur no opposition amongst ignorant persons, who
inquire not into the reason of things; meet with a hearty
welcome, and make numbers of supposed converts, who live and
die as full as they can hold of joy and confidence, without
any fears
or conflicts. ...
What wonder if, when all the offensive part is left out, the
gospel gives no offence? What wonder if, when it is made
suitable to carnal minds, carnal minds fall in love with it?
What wonder if, when it is evidently calculated to fill the
unrenewed mind with false confidence and joy, it has this
effect? What wonder if, when the true character of God is
unknown, and a false character of him is framed in the
fancy,--a God all love and no justice, very fond of such
believers,
as his favorites,--they have very warm affections towards
him?
I would not give needless
offence. Let this matter be weighed according to its
importance. Let the word of God be examined impartially. I
cannot but avow my fears that Satan has propagated much of
this false religion, among many widely different classes of
religious professors; and it shines so brightly in the eyes
of numbers, who 'take all for gold that glitters', that,
unless the fallacy be detected, it bids fair to be the
prevailing religion in many places.
Thomas Scott, Letter and Papers, edited by John Stott
(London:
Seeley, 1824, pp. 441-444)
