“But, O my soul, if you would view sin in darkest colors and most terrible effects, go to Bethlehem and ask, “Why did the King of heaven become an infant of days? Why was He Who fills all space, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger?” Go to Gethsemane and ask, “Why did the incarnate God agonize and sweat great drops of blood?” Go to the judgment hall and ask, “Why did the sovereign Judge of men and angels submit to be judged? Why did the innocent suffer such indignities? Why was the guiltless condemned to die?” Go to Calvary and ask, “Why did the Lord of glory hang on the accursed tree? Why did the Lord of life condescend to pour out His soul unto death?” It was to save you from your sin, to redeem you from the curse of the law by being made a curse for you, to deliver you from going down into hell by becoming your ransom. It was to merit heaven for you by His precious atonement and obedience unto death. It was to purchase for you the eternal Spirit, by Whose powerful aid you might believe and love and delight in this precious Savior, this adorable Redeemer, this almighty Deliverer, through Whom your sins are pardoned and by Whom you have access unto God as your reconciled Father. O my soul! Praise the Lord for His mercy, and never cease to speak good of His name! Sin—even your sin—nailed, pierced, and agonized the Lord of glory! O! Then hate sin and avoid it as you would tremble to plunge a spear into your Savior’s bosom, as you would shudder to trample un- der foot His sacred blood. “The wages of sin is death.” But, O!— rejoice in this gracious declaration: “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23).” From Spiritual Exercises of the Heart, Reformation Heritage Books, www.heritagebooks.com