man can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ." Know then, brethren, all of you without exception, that ye must know Christ, before ye can be interested in his salvation ]
And this salvation ye must seek through God's appointed ordinances —
[God has set apart an order of men on purpose to instruct the world. He could have communicated the knowledge of salvation to Cornelius, as easily as he could direct him where to find an authorized instructor. But he would rather accumulate vision upon vision, and miracle upon miracle, to honour his own appointed ordinances, than convey the knowledge of eternal life in the neglect of them. Accordingly, Cornelius sent a whole day's journey to get instruction from Peter; and Peter went a whole day's journey to impart it to one single family : from whence we learn, that no pains are to be spared, either in seeking or imparting divine knowledge ; and that the more strictly we adhere to God's appointed methods of obtaining it, the more confidently we may hope to succeed in our endeavours.]
But you must seek it with becoming humility —
[Behold the posture of Cornelius and his company : " Now are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of Godc." This is the state of mind in which you also, my brethren, are to come up to the house of God. You are not to come from mere form, or from curiosity ; nor are you to come with a mind clouded by prejudices or prepos- sessions. You are to come with docile minds, ready to receive, as from God, all that God speaks to you by us, so far as it accords with his written word. You must come also with a determination, through grace, to embrace it all without gain- saying, and to obey it all without reserve.]
And we have the same instruction for you as was communicated by Peter to that assembly —
[We "preach peace to you by Jesus Christd;" and declare, that, as there is no reconciliation with God but through his atoning blood, so " all that believe in him shall be justified from all things." In confirmation of this, we appeal to every part of the inspired volume, shewing, that " to Him give all the prophets witness, that, through the name of Christ, whosoever believeth in him shall receive the remission of sins6."]
And to this will the Holy Spirit bear witness, as in the case before us—
<\. its x. 33. '• Acts x. 36. c Acts x. 48. with xiii. 38, 39.