Indeed he has eternal life already begun in his soul8. He was once dead like others; but now he " is passed from death unto life*." The very act of living by faith in the Son of God proves to a demonstration, that he is alive, and that Christ liveth in him". He may not indeed have a comfortable sense and assurance of his happy state ; but he really liveth, and shall live for ever.
On the other hand, he that hath not so received and lived upon the Lord Jesus Christ, has no life in his soul : he is yet "dead in trespasses and sins:" and, so far from having any title to life, he is under a sentence of condemnation, and " the wrath of God abideth on himx." " Not having the Son of God, he hath not life." Whatever he may have, he hath not life. He may have learning, riches, honour, and even mora- rily itself, according to the general acceptation of the term, but he has not life : and if he die in his present state, he must perish for ever : yea, if he were the first monarch upon earth, he would in this respect be on a level with the meanest of his subjects ; he would descend from his pinnacle of honour to the lowest abyss of shame and misery.]
Infer —
1. How plain is the way of salvation !
[Supposing the way of salvation to be such as has been already stated, how can words express it more clearly than it is expressed in the text? There is no learning requisite to explain it : it is level with the comprehension of the most un- lettered man in the universe. Nothing is requisite for the understanding of it but humility of mind, and a willingness to be indebted for every thing to the free grace of God in Christ Jesus. If there be any difficulty, it arises only from the pride of our hearts that would mix something of our own with the finished work of Christ. The fact is, that salvation by faith alone is so plain and simple, that we are offended at it on account of its plainness and simplicity5'. But let the weak rejoice, that what is hid from the wise, is revealed to them2.]
2. How suitable is the way of salvation !
[If salvation had been to be merited and earned by our good works, who amongst us could have entertained a hope ? If our works, imperfect as they are, were only to have eked out the merits of Christ, who could tell us the precise quantity and quality of the works that would have sufficed ? In what doubt and suspense must we have been held all our days !
8 John vi. 47. * John v. 24.
u See Gal. ii. 21. before cited. * John iii. 18, 36.
) 2 Kings v. 10—14. * Matt. xi. 25.