The Cross: A Tract for the TimesRyle, J. C. (John Charles)
Religion
The Cross: A Tract for the Times
Ryle, J. C. (John Charles)
Atonement
The cross is _the grand centre of union_ among true Christians. Our
outward differences are many without doubt. One man is an Episcopalian,
another is a Presbyterian,—one is an Independent, another a Baptist,—one
is a Calvinist, another an Arminian,—one is a Lutheran, another a
Plymouth brother,—one is a friend to establishments, another a friend to
the voluntary system,—one is a friend to liturgies, another a friend to
extempore prayer. But after all, what shall we hear about most of these
differences in heaven? Nothing most probably: nothing at all. _Does a
man really and sincerely glory in the cross of Christ_? That is the
grand question. If he does, he is my brother;—we are travelling in the
same road. We are journeying towards a home where Christ is all, and
everything outward in religion will be forgotten. But if he does not
glory in the cross of Christ, I cannot feel comfort about him. Union on
outward points only is union only for time.—Union about the cross is
union for eternity. Error on outward points is only a skin-deep disease.
Error about the cross is disease at the heart. Union about outward
points is a mere man-made union. Union about the cross of Christ can
only be produced by the Holy Ghost.
Reader, I know not what you think of all this. I feel as if I had said
nothing compared to what might be said. I feel as if the half of what I
desire to tell you about the cross were left untold. But I do hope that
I have given you something to think about. I do trust that I have shown
you that I have reason for the question with which I began this tract,
“What do you think and feel about the cross of Christ?” Listen to me now
for a few moments, while I say something to apply the whole subject to
your conscience.
_Are you living in any kind of sin_? Are you following the course of
this world, and neglecting your soul? Hear, I beseech you what I say to
you this day: “Behold the cross of Christ.” See there how Jesus loved
you! See there what Jesus suffered to prepare for you a way of
salvation! Yes! careless men and women, for you that blood was shed!
For you those hands and feet were pierced with nails! For you that body
hung in agony on the cross! You are those whom Jesus loved, and for whom
He died! Surely that love ought to melt you. Surely the thought of the
cross should draw you to repentance. Oh! that it might be so this very
day. Oh! that you would come at once to that Saviour who died for you
and is willing to save. Come and cry to Him with the prayer of faith,
and I know that He will listen. Come and lay hold upon the cross, and I
know that He will not cast you out. Come and believe on Him who died on
the cross, and this very day you shall have eternal life. How will you
ever escape if you neglect so great salvation? None surely will be so
deep in hell as those who despise the cross!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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