Page:A Beacon to the Society of Friends.djvu/155

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SER. XI.
NO SALVATION BUT BY CHRIST.
151?

own persons, which all believe, but none can comprehend. But neither doth the natural man comprehend the things of the spirit, because they are spiritually discerned. Is he, therefore, not to have the Gospel preached to him? Whilst it is the duty of a minister of Jesus Christ to "preach the word," he should always bear in remembrance, that it is the prerogative of the Holy Spirit to convince of sin—to open the understanding, as well as to sanctify the heart. Paul may plant, and Apollos water; but it is God who giveth the increase.—"So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." 1 Cor. iii. 6, 7.




EXTRACT III.

No salvation but by Christ.

"Now this is religion enough for me. It completes the work of our salvation: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God, so as to live under his will and direction, humbled under a sense of our dependance upon him." p. 267.


It is earnestly to be desired, that few readers will join in this impious conclusion with regard to themselves. We here see God's salvation rejected, although all the concerns of the never dying soul are suspended upon it. The pride of being wise above that which is written, setting up a light within above the revelation of the Spirit of God by holy Scripture,