" . . . for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."
This is a cardinal doctrine of the True Religion. If any sinner is to be redeemed at all, it will not be via works, law, supererogation of saints, angels, being good, paying one's taxes, or not killing other people. If anyone is to have sins remitted, it must be through *blood* atonement.
. . . But not just *any* blood will do: it must be the blood of a per-
fect, sinless, righteous *human* Savior. Only Jesus meets this require-
ment. He is both God and man--and He is the *only* "Mediator be-
tween God and men," (as per 1 Tim. 2:5). The faith of regenerated churchmen is a bloody faith. There is no "sterile" salvation in God's economy. Let all the saints rejoice, that the "Lamb of God" (Jesus) has borne away our iniquities, in His bloody cross.
[Puritan quote of the day: "To read the word [of God] is a duty, but Satan sometimes puts men upon it when it is unseasonable. To read it at home when God's word is being preached, or the sacrament admin-
istered, is unseasonable, yea, sinful . . . " --Thomas Watson, in, "The Lord's Prayer"]
