---

I. NATURAL RELIGION. This consists in "doing well." Look at the principle on which it is founded. The principle is practical goofiness. This principle is intrinsically excellent. Man was created to do well. It is to be desired that all men should act upon this principle. The world would be different if men were to. No need of police — prison. It is a principle to which none can object. Let us look at the standard by which it is to be tested. The standard is the moral law of creation. In order to do well, man must love God with all his heart, etc. There must be no omission. The act must be perfect. It must be a gem without a flaw. The motive must be good. The rule must be good. It must be done as God directs. Look at the reward, "Shalt thou not be accepted?" Such a religion will command the approval of the Almighty. It will secure immortality for its votaries. Had Adam continued to do well, he would have continued to live. This, then, is the religion of nature — is glorious. Have you performed its requirements? Think of sin — its nature, its effects, its ultimate consequences. How can we escape them? Ask natural religion. Will she suggest repentance? Will repentance replace things as they were — reformation? This cannot alter the past. An offering — man has none to present — the mercy of the Eternal? God is merciful, but how can He show it to the sinner, in harmony with justice? Nature has no reply.

II. REVEALED RELIGION. "A sin offering lieth at thy door."

1. That revealed religion assumes that men are guilty. If there is no sin, there can be no need of a sin offering; and if there is a sin offering, it is presumed that there is sin. Men have not done well. They are sinners. They are liable to punishment.

2. That revealed religion has provided a sin offering. Three kinds of sacrifices were offered by the Jews: eucharistic — peace offerings — atoning. The last the most prominent. Type of Calvary. In the sin offering there was a substitution of person — a substitution of sufferings — the acceptance of the sin offering was accompanied with Divine evidence. This sacrifice is efficient.

3. That this sin offering reposeth at the door. The atonement of Christ is accessible to the sinner — it rests with man to avail himself of it — men neglect it — God exercises great long suffering — sinners cannot go to hell without trampling on the sacrifice of the Cross — they will be deprived of exercise if they neglect it.

(Homilist.)

---

---

KJV: And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

WEB: Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,