Let us now turn our attention to, II. What is expressed —
What solemn asseverations are these in the text ! One would have supposed that the former of them would have been quite sufficient : but the Apostle thought no repetitions superfluous, nor any accumu- lation of words too strong, on such a subject as this. Indeed, it is of infinite importance to every one of us to know, that, as there is salvation for us in Christ, so " there is no salvation in any other."
1 . There is not —
[In whom else can we find the requisites of a Saviour ? In whom can we find a sufficiency, either of merit to justify, or of power to renew, a sinner? If we should apply to the highest angel in heaven to give us of his merit, he would tell us that " he himself is only an unprofitable servant; for that he does no more than is his duty to dop." If we should entreat him to change our hearts, he would confess his utter inability to effect so great a work. Shall we then look to ourselves? We are full of sin. Our merit is found — where ? nat in heaven truly, but in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone a. " Nor have we in ourselves a sufficiency even to think a good thought1-;" much less to renew ourselves after the Divine image. None but Jesus could atone for sin : none but Jesus could yield such an obedience to the law as should be capable of being imputed to others : none but Jesus can send down the Holy Spirit into the souls of men, or say to them, " My grace is sufficient for yous:" and therefore " there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved."
If there were any other Saviour, the most eminent of God 's servants would have had some intimation of it. Abraham, the friend of God, and the father of the faithful, would probably have heard of him : but lie knew of none other ; for he sought acceptance through Christ alone, and was justified solely through faith in him1. David too, the man after God's own heart, who was inspired to write so much respecting Christ, would probably have been acquainted with such an important fact in order to his own salvation ; but he sought refuge in none but Christ ; " Purge me with hyssop," says he, " and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow"." We might hope at least that some information of this kind
p Luke xvii. 10. 'i Rom. iii. IP. r '2 Cor. iii. 5.
• 2 Cor. xii. 9. l Rom. iv. .'} — 5. " l's. li. 7.