but he absolved him
because the congregation absolved him; not as a plenipotentiary
supernaturally gifted to convey a mysterious benefit, but as himself
an organ and representative of the Church. The power of absolution
therefore, belonged to the Church, and to the apostle through the
Church. It was a power belonging to _all_ Christians: to the apostle,
because he was a Christian, not because he was an apostle. A priestly
power no doubt, because Christ has made all Christians kings and
priests.

Now let us turn again, with this added light, to examine the meaning
of that expression, "The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive
sins." Mark that form of words--not Christ as God, but Christ as Son
of man. It was manifestly said by Him, not solely as divine, but
rather as human, as the Son of man; that is, as Man. For we may take
it as a rule: when Christ calls himself Son of man, He is asserting
His Humanity. It was said by the High Priest of Humanity in the name
of the race. It was said on the principle that human nature is the
reflection of God's nature: that human love is the image of God's
love; and that human forgiveness is the type and assurance of divine
forgiveness.

In Christ Humanity was the perfect type of Deity, and therefore
Christ's absolution was always the exact measure and counterpart of
God's forgiveness. Herein lies the deep truth of the doctrine of His
eternal priesthood--the Eternal Son--the Humanity of the Being of
God--the ever Human mind of God. The Absolver ever lives. The Father
judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son--hath given
Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.

But further than this. In a subordinate, because less perfect degree,
the forgiveness of a man as man carries with it an absolving power.
Who has not felt the load taken from his mind when the hidden guilt
over which he had brooded long has been acknowledged, and met by
forgiving human sympathy, especially at a time when he expected to be
treated with coldness and reproof? Who has not felt how such a moment
was to him the dawn of a better hope, and how the merciful judgment of
some wise and good human being seemed to be the type and the assurance
of God's pardon, making it credible? Unconsciously it may be, but
still in substance really, I believe some such reasoning as _this_
goes on in the whispers of the heart--"He loves me, and has compa