Here, and here alone!

(J.C. Philpot)

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
 

Standing at the cross of our adorable Lord, we may see . . .
  the law thoroughly fulfilled,
  its curse fully endured,
  its penalties wholly removed,
  sin eternally put away,
  the justice of God amply satisfied,
  all His perfections gloriously harmonized,
  reconciliation completely effected,
  redemption graciously accomplished,
  and every true believer everlastingly saved.

Here, and here alone, we see sin in its blackest colors--and holiness in its most attractive beauties.

Here, and here alone, we see the love of God in its tenderest form--and the anger of God in its deepest expression.

Here, and here alone, we see the eternal and unalterable displeasure of the Almighty against sin, and the rigid demands of His inflexible justice--and yet the tender compassion and boundless love of His heart, to His chosen, redeemed and regenerate people.

Here, and here alone, are pardon and peace obtained.

Here, and here alone, penitential grief and godly sorrow flow from hearts and eyes.

Here, and here alone, is . . .
  sin subdued and mortified,
  holiness communicated,
  death vanquished,
  Satan put to flight, and
  happiness and Heaven begun in the soul.

What a holy meeting-place for repenting sinners and a sin-pardoning God!

What a joyful forgiving-place for guilty, yet repenting and returning backsliders!

What a door of hope for the self-condemned and self-abhorred!

And what a blessed resorting-place for the whole family of grace in this valley of grief and sorrow.

"May it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14