Wilson on Article XVIII: Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ

a Because all men be sinners and offenders against God, and breakers of his law and commandments, therefore can no man by his own acts, works, and deeds (seem they never so good) be justified, and made righteous before God : but every man of necessity is constrained to seek for another righteousness or justification, to be received at God’s own hands, that is to say, the forgiveness of his sins and trespasses, in such things as he hath offended. And this justification, or righteousness, which we so receive of God’s mercy and Christ’s merits, embraced by faith, is taken, accepted, and allowed of God, for our perfect and full justification. Horn, iii. 1.

This doctrine (that we be justified freely, without all merit of our own good works) whosoever deuieth, is not to be accounted for a Christian man, nor for a setter-forth of Christ’s glory; but for an adversary to Christ and his Gospel, and for a setter-forth of men’s vain glory. Horn. iii. 2. Set also Art. XIII.

The inclination of man to have his own holy devotions, de- vised new sects and religious, called Pharisees, Sadducees, and

■ There be some that would per- vert the gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed As we said before, so say 1 now again; If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ve have re- ceived, let him be accursed. Gal. i. 7, 8, 9. Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen. Deut. xxvii. 18, 26. A man that is an heretic (sectary) after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of him- self. Tit. iii. 10, 11. Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Tim. iii. 5. Beloved, be-

lieve not every spirit; but try the spirits, whether they be of God : because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God : Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God: and every spirit that con- fesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God j and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. 1 John iv. 1 — 3. Many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Whosoever transgresseth, and abid- eth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive bim not into your house, neither bid him God

the law or sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that

Scribes, with many holy and godly traditions and ordinances, (as it seemed by the outward appearance and goodly glistering” of the works,) but in very deed all tending to idolatry, super- stition and hypocrisy ; their hearts within being full of malice, pride, covetousness, and all wickedness. Against which sects, and their pretended holiness, Christ cried out more vehemently than he did against any other persons, saying, and often re- hearsing these words, Woe be to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hy- pocrites ! for you go about by sea and by land to make more novices, and new brethren ; and when they be let in, or received of your sect, you make them the children of hell, worse than yourselves be. (Matt, xxiii.) For although they seemed to the world to be most perfect men, both in living and teaching, yet was their life but hypocrisy, and their doctrine but sour leaven, mingled with superstition, idolatry, and overthwart judgment, setting up the traditions and ordinances of man, instead of God’s commandments. Horn. v. 2.

The law, as the highest reason, was by God grafted in the nature of man, while man’s nature was yet sound and uncor- rupted, being created after the image of God; so this law is

speed. 2 John 7, 9, 10. We are not as many who corrupt the word of God : but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Cor. ii. 17. We are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and re- joice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh : though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he mig-ht trust in the flesh, I more : circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews ; as touch- ing the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecutingthe church; touch- ing the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phil. iii. 3 — 7. After the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. Acts xxvi. 5. If there had been a law given, which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under

sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Gal. iii. 21, 22. We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Rom. iii. 9, 23. If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Gal. ii. 21. Israel hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Where- fore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. Rom. ix. 31, 32. By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Gal. ii. 16. If by grace, then it is no more of works ; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more of grace; otherwise work is no more work. Rom. xi. 6. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised ; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. Gal. vi. 12. If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. Christ is be- come of no effect unto yod ; who-

law, and the light of nature. bFor holy Scrip-

ndeed, and is called the law of nature. But since the nature of man became stained with sin, although the minds of wise men have been in some sort lightened with the brightness of this natural light, yet in the most part of men this light is so put out, that scarce any sparkles thereof are to be seen ; and in many men’s minds is deeply grafted a sharp hatred of God and men, against the ordinances of God and his commandments. Nowell, p. 28.

b Our justification doth come freely by the mere mercy of God, and of so great and free mercy, that whereas all the world was not able of themselves to pay any part towards their ransom, it pleased our heavenly Father of his infinite mercy, without any our desert or deserving, to prepare for us the most precious jewels of Christ’s body and blood, whereby our ransom might be fully paid, the law fulfilled, and his justice fully satisfied. So that Christ is now the righteousness of all them that truly do believe in him. He for them paid their ransom by his death. He for them fulfilled the law in his life. So that now in him, and by him, every true Christian man may be called a fulfiller of the law : forasmuch as that which their infirmity lacked, Christ’s justice [or righteousness] hath supplied. Horn. iii. 1.

He came his Father’s ambassador and messenger to men, that by his declaration they might be brought into the right knowledge of God, and into all truth. Nowell, p. 44.

Jesus Christ is the Deliverer and Saviour of us which were holden bond, and fast tied with impiety and wickedness, and wrapped in the snares of eternal death, and holden thrall in the

foul bondage of the serpent the devil. He alone hath delivered

and saved them that be his from eternal damnation, whereunto otherwise they were appointed. Nowell, p. 42. See also Article VI!,

O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life ; grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life ; that following the steps of thy holy

soever of you are justified by the there is none other name under law, ye are fallen from grace, heaven given among men, whereby Gal. v. 2, 4. And I, brethren, if we must be saved. Acts iv. 12. I yet preach circumcision, why do Other foundation can no man lay I yet suffer persecution? then is than that is laid, which is Jesus the offence of the cross ceased. I Christ. 1 Cor. iii. 11. To him give would they were even cut off which all the prophets witness, that trouble you. Gal. v. 11, 12. The through his name whosoever be- just shall live by faith; but if any lieveth in him shall receive remis- man draw back, my soul shall have sion of sins. Acts x. 43. There is no pleasure in him. Heb. x. 38. one God, and one mediator between b Thou shalt call his name Jesus: God and men, the man Christ for he shall save his people from Jesus. 1 Tim. ii. 5. No man their sins. Matt. i. 21. Neither cometh unto the Father but by me. % there salvation in any other ; for John x\r. 6. Thi» i« the record

ture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.

apostles Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Coll. for Saint Philip and Saint James Day.

The Almighty Lord, who is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in him ; to whom all things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do bow and obey ; be now and ever- more thy defence, and make thee know and feel that there is none other name under heaven given to man, in whom and through whom thou may est receive health and salvation, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Visitation of the Sick.

The marks of the visible Church are, the sincere preaching of the Gospel, that is to say, of the benefits of Christ, invoca- tion, and administration of the sacraments. Q. Is there then no hope of salvation out of the church ? A. Out of it can be nothing but damnation, death, and destruction. Nowell> p. 68,

Paynims, clean void from God, and the hope of everlasting life. Horn. xxix. 1.

Let us confess him with our mouths, praise him with our tongues, believe on him with our hearts, and glorify him with our good works. Christ is the light ; let us receive the light. Christ is the truth ; let us believe the truth. Christ is the way; let us follow the way. Aud because he is our only Master, our only Teacher, our only Shepherd and Chief Captain ; therefore let us become his servants, his scholars, his sheep. — Let us re- ceive Christ, not for a time, but for ever : let us believe his word, not for a time, but for ever : let us become his servants, not for a time, but for ever; in consideration that he hath redeemed and saved us, not for a time, but for ever ; and will receive us into his heavenly kingdom, ” there to reign with him,” not for a time, but for ever. To him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour, praise, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Horn. xxiv.

that God hath given to us eternal He said, Go ye into all the world, life, and this life is in his Son. He and preach the Gospel to every that hath the Son hath life ; he that creature : He that believeth aud is hath not the Son of God, hath not baptized shall be saved; but he life. These things have I written that believeth not, shall be damu- unto you that believe on the name ed. Mark xvi. 15, 16. He that of the Son of God 5 that ye may believeth not the Son shall not see know that ye have eternal life, and life ; but the wrath of God abideth that ye may believe on the name of on him. John iii. 36. the Son of God. 1 John v. 11—13.