Col. iii. 11. Christ is all, and in all.
MEN are ever ready to value themselves upon their natural endowments, their civil distinctions, or their religious privileges ; and to imagine that a pre- eminence in these things gives them some kind of claim to honour and respect, even from God himself. But nothing which a natural man can possess, will give him any such advantage over others as shall entitle him to boast, as though his salvation were in any measure of, or from, himself: the most learned " Greek" must be indebted to divine teaching as much as the unlettered " Scythian ;" and the Jew that has been admitted into covenant with God by " circumcision," be as much saved by the blood and righteousness of Christ as an " uncircumcised" or idolatrous "barbarian:" the "free-man" has no superiority above the " slave ;" all stand upon the same footing with respect to salvation ; all without exception are dependent upon Christ for all their mercies : in all cases, relating to all persons, and to all the circumstances of each, the creature is nothing, and Christ is all ; " he is all in all." We shall, I. Illustrate this truth —
If we consult the Scriptures, or our own experience, Christ will be found all in procuring, imparting, main- taining, and completing our salvation.
1. In procuring it —
[Who amongst the sons of men first suggested to our Lord the plan of saving our ruined race through the sacrifice of himself? Who assisted him in performing the mighty work which he had undertaken ? " Did he not tread the wine- press of God's wrath alonea?" When he " finished transgres- sion, made an end of sin, made reconciliation for iniquity, and brought in an everlasting righteousness," " there was none with him ;" " he looked and there was no man ; therefore his own arm brought salvation11." Who can add to the work
a Isai. lxiii. 3. b Isai. lix. 16.