salvation in no other way than simply by faith in Christ: and we may go farther still, even to Adam, whose views were precisely the same, and who had no hope but in " the Seed of the woman, who should bruise the serpent's head." There has been but one way of salvation for fallen man from the be- ginning of the world : nor shall there be any other as long as the world shall stand". If it be new in any place, the fault is not in him that preaches it, but in those who have preceded him, who have neglected to preach it. Dismiss then this pre- judice ; and receive the glad tidings of a Saviour with all the joy and gratitude that the occasion demands.]
2. How far it is from being an unimportant doc- trine—
[Many who do not reject the doctrine itself, yet consider it as a merely speculative doctrine, a mere strife of words. But our reformers did not so think it, when they sealed the truth of it with their blood. Nor did St. Paul think it so, when he denounced a curse against any man, yea even against any angel from heaven, that should attempt to establish any doctrine that interfered with it0. See how strongly he guards us against any dependence whatever upon our own works, as entirely in- validating the whole Gospel, and destroying utterly all our hope in Christp — It was owing to the aversion which the Jews had to this doctrine, that so few of them were saved ; whilst the Gentiles, who felt less difficulty in submitting to it, were brought in vast multitudes into the kingdom of our Lord0-. Know then, that this doctrine of justification by faith alone without works, is absolutely necessary to be received, and known, and felt, and gloried in; and that if we build on any other foundation, we must inevitably and eternally perish1.]
3. How far it is from being a discouraging doctrine — [Another calumny generally circulated respecting justifi- cation by faith, is, that it is an alarming and terrifying doctrine, and calculated not only to bewilder weak persons, but even to deprive them of their senses. But the very reverse of this is true. Doubtless, before that this doctrine can be received aright, a man must be made sensible that he is in a guilty and undone state, and incapable of effecting his own salvation by any works of righteousness which he can do : but when once a person is brought to that state, the doctrine of a full sal- vation wrought out for him by Christ, and freely offered to him " without money and without price," is replete with con- solation : it is marrow and fatness to the soul ; " it is meat
n Acts iv. 12. ° Gal. i. 8, 9. p Gal. v. 2—4.
i Rom. ix. 30 — 32. r 1 Cor. hi. 11.