[1] Gen. 1:27. God created man in His own image. Gen. 1:31. And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. Eccl. 7:29; Acts 17:26; Gen. 2:16. [2] Gen. 3:6-24. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise; she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and gave unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Rom. 5:12. [3] Rom. 5:19. By one man's disobedience many were made sinners. John 3:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7. [4] Eph. 2:3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath even as others. [5] Ezek. 18:19, 20. The soul that sinneth it shall die. Rom. 1:20. So that they are without excuse. Rom. 3:19. That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Gal. 3:22. IV. THE WAY OF SALVATION We believe the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace;[1] through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God;[2] who according to the will of the Father, became man, yet without sin;[3] honored the Divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for our sins;[4] that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with Divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour.[5] [1] Eph. 2:5. By grace ye are saved. Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11. [2] John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [3] Phil. 2:6-7. Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made Himself of no reputation, and took on Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. [4] Isa. 53:4, 5. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. [5] Heb. 7:25. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Col. 2:9. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. V. JUSTIFICATION We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ[1] secures to such as believe in Him is justification;[2] that justification includes the pardon of sin,[3] and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in Christ; by means of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God;[4] that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.[5]