It was on the 29th of May, 1779, more than a hundred years ago, that a solemn and an impressive scene was enacted at the Castle Hill, Edinburgh.
The garrison was assembled; and with muffled drums beating, three Highlanders marched behind their coffins, from the citadel.
Though it was a beautiful summer morning, a dark cloud rested on the scene, for these three soldiers were to die. An officer read the sentence, which set forth that, at a court-martial, the three men were accused of the crime of mutiny, and of inciting others to the same; they had been found guilty, and sentenced to be shot to death.
Here I would pause, and ask you, my unsaved reader, do you know that you, too, have been found guilty? If you turn to the third of Romans, you will find your indictment, from the 9th to the 18th verse; and in the 19th the verdict, “guilty before God;” and the sentence is death, “everlasting destruction.” (2 Thess. 1:99Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:9).) Eternal judgment may overtake you at any moment.
The men knelt down, their eyes being bandaged; the firing party were drawn up, and were taking aim, when Sir Adolphus Oughton stepped to the front, and displayed three pardons, saying, “In consequence of the gallantry displayed by the 42nd Regiment, to which two of the prisoners belong, His Majesty has graciously pardoned all three. Soldiers, resume your arms, and rejoin your companies.” The now freed prisoners essayed to raise a cheer, but one of them, overcome by emotion and weakness, sank prostrate on the ground, between the coffins.
This short story seems to present a striking type of the state of the sinner, and the grace of God. The condition of the three soldiers was desperate. Exemplary conduct, after sentence was passed, could not avail them. The law had been broken, and its majesty must be satisfied.
Death was the sentence, and no efforts of the men could avert it; only one thing could meet their case, and that was a free and unconditional pardon. And mark, too, the grounds on which it was granted; namely, the brave conduct of their comrades in the presence, of the enemy. A pardon granted through the merits of others. Mark, also, the wonderful change produced by it. One moment at the point of death, and the next, accredited soldiers of the king.
There is a pardon procured for sinners, all through the merits of another. Will you turn again to the third of Romans, and read it for yourself, from the 23rd to the 26th verse? Wonderful words;
God is “just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.”
You and I had failed to fulfil that which was required of us; but on the cross another has done a work through which all who own their guilt and need, and believe on the Lord Jesus, receive forgiveness full and free.
Will you have the pardon? Will you receive it from the One who righteously forgives, and who will make thee a son, an heir of glory, a joint-heir with Christ? I beseech you, do not trifle with it. If you refuse God’s offer, then justice must take its course. God’s word offers you no other way. How shall you escape if you neglect so great Salvation?
ML 01/21/1900