But though man's destruction is of himself, we must not suppose that his salvation also is of himself: no ;
II. His salvation is of God alone —
If we inquire who it is, that thus arrogates to him- self the exclusive power of saving sinners, we shall find that it is the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone is "King" in Siond, "besides whom there is no Saviour6," and who invariably claims this as his unalienable prerogative f.
1. There is help for us in no other — [Who besides him could possibly make atonement for our
sins ? Man himself could never satisfy Divine Justice
Nor could all the angels in heaven offer unto God a sufficient
sacrifice for the sins of men ? None but He who was
" Jehovah's Fellow" was equal to the task of expiating
From his •providence — -
If it be indulgent ; " These blessings are proofs of his love."
If it be afflictive ; " I have my sufferings in this life."
From his grace —
" He gave his Son to die for me; therefore I have nothing to fear."
2. From the world around them — From the godly —
If they are consistent ; "■ They are unreasonably precise." If they are inconsistent ; " They are hypocrites ; they are all alike ; I am as good as they ; only I make less talk about religion." From the ungodly — " I can never think that so many are wrong, and so few right."
3. From their own experience —
If they have been corrupt ; "Why did God give me these passions ? '.'
If they have been moral ; " I thank thee that I am not as other men are."
If they are learned ; " Cannot I understand my Bible without Divine illumination ? "
If they are unlearned ; " My ignorance is excusable ; I am no scholar."
If they have been neglectful of religious duties ; " I have done no one any harm."
If they have been observant of religious duties ; they put their formal services in the place of Christ, and consider them as decisive evidences of their conversion.
Thus instead of arguing from these topics so as to stimulate their exertions, they derive encouragement from them all to continue in their sins.
d ver. 10. with Matt. xxi. 5. and Acts v. 31. e ver. 4.
f Isai. xlv. 22. with Matt. xi. 28. and John vii. 37.