has led, step by step, into the deadly gulf of Deism. Alas! that any should be so deluded into self-sufficiency, as to fancy that without a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they can do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, and by that means complete the work of their salvation. They enter not by the only door,—how then do they come into the sheep fold? They lay not a stone upon the only foundation,—how then can they build for heaven? The selfish, hard, proud, heart of man, must be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, before there will be any tendency to justice, mercy, or humility, in the true sense of the words; and we have before shown, that the indwelling of the Spirit is consequent upon believing in Christ. And miserable are they who place their hope of salvation on any other ground, than that of the one offering for sin by Jesus Christ. Unless, then, we have repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, we have no sufficient motive to obedience, because by no other means can the affections be engaged to keep the holy law of God.
|
"If I sin, then thou markest me; and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity." Job, x. 14. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Jno. xiv. 6. "I am the door: by me, if any man enter in, |
he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Jno. x. 9. "He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." Jno. x. 1. "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw |
