THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINK OF ATONEMENT. 



45 



think it narrow and jejune ; and they may also think that it 

 borders upon the splitting of verbal hairs, or upon gramtnatical 

 pedantry. 



I would remind such objectors that the fundamental principle 

 of the Reformation was this, that exegesis is the key to theology. 

 By this maxim it reversed the proceedings of the Middle Ages, 

 which were formed upon the principle tliat tlieology is the key 

 to exegesis. I cannot see why this principle, which has been 

 fruitful in spiritual results of the first importance, should not be 

 applied to the study of the Atonement. To my own feeling 

 Systematic Theology from Calvin to Ritschl has been blighted 

 and deformed by the tendency to separate itself from the 

 results of exact New Testament scholarship. 



This address, at all events, if it has erred, has not erred in 

 that direction. I liave rigorously endeavoured to follow the 

 teaching of the New Testament ; I have never even cared to ask 

 whether the results arrived at can be made to harmonise either 

 with wdiat are supposed to be the Divine attributes, or with 

 those alleged intuitions of men which some people so studiously 

 endeavour to conciliate. 



For me the New Testament ought to have the first and the 

 last word in this, as in all religious enquiry ; and that because of 

 its unique and specific possession of the charisma of Inspiration. 

 I do not for a moment question that a subject so wonderful and 

 comprehensive as the Christian doctrine of Atonement may be 

 lawfully treated by more methods than one. I hail with 

 thankfulness the revived interest in this central article of 

 Christian believing and Christian doing : It is a sign of 

 reviving Christian life itself. Life is manifold ; and every living 

 enquiry must be conducted in manifold ways. But I venture to 

 think that the method followed in this paper is among the first 

 in importance, and likely to lead to clear and far-reaching 

 thought upon the subject. 



In this spirit and under these convictions, these thoughts are 

 offered as a contribution towards a clearer view of the work of 

 Our Lord in the putting away of sin. It is committed to the 

 blessing of God, and commended to the favourable perusal of 

 Christian people, in a time of many transitions, and of much 

 searching of heart ; yet a time when the hearts of multitudes 

 are reaching out after a fuller and surer knowledge of truth as 

 it is in J esus. 



There are two remarks which I ask leave to add to these 

 introductory observations. The first is this, namely, that I 

 believe in the stability of the laws of language, and especially 



