which sinners have sought to hide themselves from the dis- pleasure of God ]
But there is no way to God but through Christ — [Nothing can be plainer than our Lord's assertion. If we ask, What is the way to God ? He answers, ' I am.' If we inquire, What other way there is ? He answers, ' None.' If we wish to be informed whether there be not some excep- tion in favour of those who have served God from their earliest infancy, as Timothy, or to the most advanced age, as John ? the answer is, ' No : " no man cometh unto the Father, but by me :" ' Timothy must come as Mary Magdalen, out of whom seven devils were cast ; and John, as the thief, who died a few hours after his conversion. All need equally to have their guilt expiated, and their hearts renewed: and there is none but Jesus who can do either the one or the other of these things for us : therefore there is no other name or power but his, that can ever save us g.] Address —
1. Those who are ignorant of the Saviour — [Have you so little concern for heaven that you will not
inquire the way thither? Or do you suppose that a life of worldliness and carnal ease is the path that leads to God ; and that men will find it, as it were, blindfold ? If this were the case, Jesus would never have become incarnate, and died upon the cross, to open a way for you ; nor would he have warned you to the contrary in such solemn terms as those before us. Consider this ; for every tittle of his word, whether credited or not, shall be fulfilled.]
2. Those who desire to come to God —
[Beware lest you attempt for a moment to find any other way than that marked out for you by Christ. He must be your only way of access to God. We do not say that you are not to walk in the way of holiness, (for the Scripture asserts the contrary in the strongest termsh) but this we say; It is the blood of Christ, and not your own holiness, that must reconcile you to God ; and it is the Spirit of Christ, and not your own natural power::, that must enable you to believe in him, or to serve him. Submit to this at once1 ; for you must be brought to it, if ever you would enter into the kingdom of heaven. You cannot come to God in prayer, but by Christ ; much less can you be admitted to him in heaven. Even Christ himself, as the sinner's representative, entered into heaven by his own blood k : think not therefore that ye shall enter in by any other way.]
s Acts iv. 12. h Isai. xxxv. 8.
' Rom. x. 3. k Hcb. ix. 12.