The Substance of Christian Religion, Lecture 11
The eleventh Lords day.
Act. 4. 12.
Neither is there salvation in any other: For there is no other name under heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved.
IN these words, is contained the reason of the answer, that Peter gave to the multitude being come together, to the question they made, about the good work done to the impotent man, verse 9. The question was, How he was healed, and delivered from his sickness? The answer was, that he was made whole by the name of Jesus Christ; that is, by that divine authority and power whereof Jesus Christ was the author. The reason of this answer and deed is taken from the nature and power of Jesus Christ, which is shown & declared in this verse, from its effect; to wit, that it brings salvation as well spiritual as corporal to men. And this effect is so affirmed of this cause; that is, of Christ, that it is denied of all others: So that there are two assertions contained in these words; whereof the first is, that Jesus Christ offereth salvation to men: The second, that no other can bring salvation. The reason of both assertions is given, because the name, that is the power and authority of saving, signified by the name Iesus, is given to him and to none else. For by name in this place, as it is referred to Christ, Christ himself is understood, as signified by that name of Jesus or Saviour; as by the name of God, God himself is oft thus understood in Scripture; but withall the power and authority of Christ to save, is made known in more illustrious persons, titles, and solemn stiles, whereby is declared their quality, and what they import. For the signification of the name Iesus is here taught. Lastly, regard is had to our Faith▪ which properly lookes at the name of Jesus Christ, and of God the Father, that is Christ and God the Father as they are proposed to us, and as it were named in the Gospell.
Doct. 1. Iesus Christ saveth us from all our sins.
This is it that is signified by the appellation of his name; and is proper to the name, containing in it self the whole summe of our Redemption, and its application: The end also of his incarnation, humiliation, and exaltation. Now Christ saves us by his satisfaction, merit, and efficacy. By satisfaction, because he removes the guilt of sin and wrath of God, that were the hinderances of our safety, and could not be removed by us. By his merit, because he procures to us the favour and right to all those blessings, that use to be communicated to the sonnes of God. By his efficacy, because by his Spirit he effects indeed, & works all in us that belongs to our salvation. In this sort therefore doth he save us from all our sins, as to the guilt, to the punishment, and to the andduration, to the defilement.
Reas. 1. Because he was given of God his Father for this end; that is, he was for that end eternally predestinated, from the beginning promised; in the fulness of time exhibited, for this end, I say (as himself professeth) that he might save sinners; in which speech the Apostle Paul glorieth much, as in a … ▪ 1 Tim. …. 5.
Reas. 2. Because he was fit every way to produce this effect; that is, to procure this salvation; which followes most certainly, even from this, that he was for this end sent of God. For God sends none to performe any duty, whom he instructs not, and makes fit for the accomplishment of it▪ Hither belongs also, all that before was said of the divine and humane nature of Christ; and what hereafter shall be said of the spirit resting upon him without measure, and the like.
Reas. 3. Because willingly and of his pleasure he gave himself to the performance of all these things, that were necessary for our salvation.
Use 1. Is of Direction, that we may yeeld up, and give over our selves wholly to Christ to be saved.
Use 2. That with all Admiration of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may live to him; that is, as being saved by him, we may yeeld him all thankfulness, and strive to do him all honour and homage to his glory.
Doct. 2. Beside Iesus Christ, there is no Saviour.
This is expresly enough in the Text: Neither is there salvation in any other &c. There are no other Saviours neither in whole, nor in part, nor joint with him. There are no other causes of our salvation, neither subordinate, nor ministrating, properly so called. Not total.
Reas. 1. Because none is like, or equall to Christ, that could do the same that Christ did for our salvation. For he is the onelyonly begotten Son of the Father, the onelyonly Imm…nue, God with us, God-man in one person, the onelyonly Medrator between God and man, 1 Tim. 2. 5.
Reas. 2. Because God gave and proposed none oother Saviour to us, as it is in the Text.
Reas. 3. Because if there were any other Saviour, then such exclusive assertions could have no place, as every where occur in Scripture. Whosoever believeth not in Christ, he shall dy: The wrath of God shall abide upon him: Without him we can do nothing, and the like. Nor yet Mediators in part.
Reas. 1. Because Christ perfectly saveth those that believe in him, so that they need not in any sort to seek salvation in any other, Heb. 7. 25.
Reas. 2. Because our salvation cannot be so divided into parts, that part from one, and part may be sought from another; for so it might come to pass, that one might be partly saved, and partly damned. Neither yet subordinate, and ministring causes. Because properly he saves us by himself, Heb. 1. 3. Now the Saviours that were typical; and the Ministers of the Word, who now also are said to save many, together with the Word and Sacraments, which save also; all these are onelyonly said to save, because they are the adjuncts and instruments of this onelyonly Saviour, serving him in the application of salvation before purchased by himself; not that they are causes together with him of his salvation, and have in themselves power and vertue of saving any, if we speak properly.
Use 1. Of Refutation, against Papists, who many wayes joyn other Saviours to Christ: as, 1. While they thrust Angells and blessed spirits upon us for Saviours, to be religiously invocated. 2. While they teach men to place their trust and hope in satisfactions of men, and pardons or indulgences of Roman Bishops. 3. While they will be saved by themselves by merit of their own workes, and place in them some faith and confidence.
Use 2. Of Exbortation, that in every great and lesse… part of our salvation we not onelyonly fly to Christ, but depend also purely, onelyonly, and wholly on him, saying with the Psalmist; Whom have I in heaven but thee, and I delight in none on earth beside thee. Psal. 73. 25.
Doct. 3. All that is made known to us in Scriptures concerning our Lord Iesus Christ, to be done, ought most of all to be done by us, as bringing salvation to our souls.
For in this sense it is said in the Text not simply that Iesus saves us, but that the name of Jesus Christ doth it; that is Jesus Christ, as he is proposed to us in Scriptures to be apprehended by Faith.
Reas. 1. Because such is the nature of our Faith, as it differs from sight, which we are to have in the life to come, that it is not carried simply and absolutely to Christ, but onelyonly as he is proposed to us in Gods Promises.
Reas. 2. Because in the word of God nothing is taught of Christ, which doth not directly make for our Faith, and for advancing and confirming of oursalvation, Ioh. 20. 31.
Reas. 3. Because that charity and thankfulnesse that we owe to Christ, requires this, that we make high esteem of all things that belong to him; seeing otherwayes we are not worthy of him.
Use 1. Is of Reproof, against the slowness and sluggishness of our mindes, who can hear and read many things concerning Christ, without any affection, or lifting up of our hearts to him.
Use 2. Is of Direction, that we may get unto our selves that knowledge of the name of Christ, that may be sufficient to us in all our necessities; and that we put this in practise and use it, when we are pressed either with our sins, or our inward corruptions, or the Devills tentations, or the worlds allurements, or with afflictions, or when we are in the midst or danger of death. For thus in the name of Christ we have a Magazine or rich Well, from which at all times, or any occasion we may draw, or take something of salvation, according to that of the Prophet, Isa. 12. 3. When ye have drawn waters with joy out of the Wells of this salvation; ye shall say, &c.