1 The former is clear from many places of Scripture; as first from that known place,1 Neither is there salvation in any other, &c. Here the Apostle plainly shows, that there is no salvation but by Christ, for which he gives a sufficient reason in the next words; For there is no name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved; implying thereby, that if through Gods free Grace we be saved, it must necessarily be in and by Jesus Christ. For it is not the name of a mans own duties or righteousness whereby he can be saved, they are full of infirmities and imperfections, whereupon the Church crieth out,2 All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, i e. the best works of the best men, performed after the best manner that they can, are as a menstruous cloth, full of spots and stains, full of weaknesses and imperfections. Neither is it the name of a mans graces, whereby he can be saved, for they likewise are weak and imperfect, there being a mixture of sin, as in our best duties, so in our best graces; a mixture of pride with our humility, of hypocrisy with our sincerity, of unbelief with our faith, &c. I grant indeed that Christians may look to their graces as evidences of their part and interest in Jesus Christ, and of salvation by him, but not as causes of their salvation. They may likewise make use of duties as means to bring them unto Christ, but not to be saved by them. Christ, and Christ alone, is the only cause and Author of their salvation, and therefore he stiles himself the way, the truth, and the life, saying,3 I am the way, the truth, and the life, i. e. the true way to eternal life, the only way by which we may certainly, and out of which it is impossible we should ever attain unto eternal life and salvation. In which respect he is often styled A SAVIOUR. 4Yea he is termed the Author of eternal salvation, Heb. 5. 9. The word in the Greek properly signifieth a cause, even the efficient cause of of our salvation; and that he is both by purchase from his Father, and by conquest over Satan, whose slaves and vassals all mankind ⟨p. 158⟩were.5 In this respect he is likewise called the Captain of our Salvation. 6Yea he is styled Salvation it self. 7And on this ground was the name Jesus given him,8 Because it was he who should save his people from their sins. 9And therefore as he is the wise builder, who built his house upon the Rock:
1 The former is clear from many places of Scripture; as first from that known place,1 Neither is there salvation in any other, &c. Here the Apostle plainly shews, that there is no salvation but by Christ, for which hee gives a sufficient reason in the next words; For there is no name under Heaven given among men whereby wee must be saved; implying thereby, that if through Gods free Grace we be saved, it must necessarily be in and by Jesus Christ. For it is not the name of a mans own duties or righteousness whereby hee can be saved, they are full of infirmities and imperfections, whereupon the Church crieth out,2 All our righteousnesses are as filthy raggs, i e. the best works of the best men, performed after the best manner that they can, are as a menstruous cloath, full of spots and stains, full of weaknesses and imperfections. Neither is it the name of a mans graces, whereby hee can bee saved, for they likewise are weak and imperfect, there being a mixture of sin, as in our best duties, so in our best graces; a mixture of pride with our humility, of hypocrisie with our sincerity, of unbeleef with our faith, &c. I grant indeed that Christians may look to their graces as evidences of their part and interest in Jesus Christ, and of salvation by him, but not as causes of their salvation. They may likewise make use of duties as means to bring them unto Christ, but not to bee saved by them. Christ, and Christ alone, is the only cause and Author of their salvation, and therefore hee stiles himself the way, the truth, and the life, saying,3 I am the way, the truth, and the life, i. e. the true way to eternal life, the onely way by which wee may certainly, and out of which it is impossible wee should ever attain unto eternal life and salvation. In which respect hee is often stiled A SAVIOUR. 4Yea hee is termed the Author of eternal salvation, Heb. 5. 9. The word in the Greek properly signifieth a cause, even the efficient cause of of our salvation; and that hee is both by purchase from his Father, and by conquest over Satan, whose slaves and vassals all mankind ⟨p. 158⟩were.5 In this respect hee is likewise called the Captain of our Salvation. 6
- 1Act. 4. 12.
- 2lsa. 64. 6.
- 3Joh. 14, 6. [Greek or Hebrew], Via illa certissima, as B•za in loc.Joh. 14, 6. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Via illa certissima, as B•za in loc.
- 4[Greek or Hebrew]. Luk. 2. 11. 2 Pet. 3. 18. [Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Luk. 2. 11. 2 Pet. 3. 18. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- 5Heb. 2. 10.
- 6Luk. 2. 29.
- 7[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- 8Mat. 1. 21.
- 9Mat. 7. 24.
