THE OFFENCE OF THE CROSS CEASING
by Thomas Scott
Thomas Scott (1747-1821) was a Gospel preacher well
equipped to demonstrate powerfully what is the difference between true
Christianity and its false counterparts within the Church. The son of a
Lincolnshire
grazier, and the tenth of thirteen children, he was himself bound for the
cattle farming business when he decided to opt for the ordained ministry,
considering that occupation to be less arduous. At length his careless,
liberal views and unsanctified life were brought to bear upon him
– largely through the efforts of John Newton
– and by the grace of God he repented at the feet of the Saviour.
As an evangelical pastor he soon became a great force for good in the land, and
he has ever since been remembered for his tireless work, the results of
which include a Commentary
on the Whole Bible.
THE OFFENCE OF THE CROSS CEASING
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 Saviour's character, the holy nature of redemption, the holy tendency of
Christ's 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 shewing 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 humour 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 among 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. Its success perhaps may cause it to be cried up as 'the
only way of preaching for usefulness:' while all discourse concerning the
being, authority, and perfections of God; concerning the law; concerning the
evil of sin; and concerning relative duties; is considered as only
'hindering usefulness:' and they only are thought to preach the gospel in
simplicity, as they ought to do who preach in this manner. 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 favourites,—they have
very warm affections towards him? What wonder if, when these persons are of
one mind, and admire and extol each other as the only favourites of heaven,
they seem to be full of love to one another? It is not Christ's holy image
in them that they love, but their own image: and again I observe, Similis
simili gaudet [like loves like].
The doctrines of the gospel would give no offence except to a few deep
thinkers, were it not that, when properly stated, they imply the affronting
truth, that every person, by sinning against a holy God, and breaking a
righteous law, is justly deserving of eternal damnation, be his character in
society ever so moral and respectable; and that we are all polluted and
abominable, contrary to God, and loathsome through sin. Suppress this
representation, and there is nothing affronting in any remaining doctrine,
or offensive to any person, save to the reasoner, who, seeing so much done
without any adequate cause, may scornfully exclaim, Cui bono? [What
purpose is all this to answer?] —The bulk of mankind however belong not
to the reasoning class, and will ever be ready to adopt any sentiments their
teacher may inculcate, which do not alarm their fears, affront their pride,
or call them to mortify their lusts: much more such as quiet their fears,
soothe their pride, leave their corruptions untouched, and find them an
excuse for not subduing them. And, though an outward reformation may
generally be necessary; yet for the sake of a quiet conscience, sanguine
hopes, and self-complacency, we all know how far men will proceed in this
way.
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.—So far however as I can judge, no persons in the
world express more acrimony against that sort of religion which strips the
sinner of every plea, leaves him self-condemned and self-loathing, as a
transgressor of a righteous law, and a rebel against a holy God, at the
footstool of sovereign grace; which shews the sinner the absolute need there
was of the death of Christ, the real nature of his satisfaction, the
necessity of a total change of heart and life; and demonstrates that all
true converts love the holy character and law of God, and are sincerely holy
in all manner of conversation: no persons, I say, are more virulent haters,
and more resolute opposers, of these views of religion, than those who are
so full of the other affections, and of that sort of religion above
described: which too plainly shews how things are with them.
Reference
Letters and Papers of Thomas Scott
