II.  We learn hence, that without Christ there is no imaginary way of delivery out of this natural state of death.  “No other name is given under heaven whereby we can be saved,” Acts iv. 12; and angels can make no help here, nor can one of us deliver another; the redemption of the soul is more precious than so, Psalm xlix. 7, 8.  Nor is there any thing we can do for ourselves that will avail here; all our prayers, tears, whippings, fastings, vows, alms-deeds, purposes, promises, resolutions, abstinence from some evils, outward amendments, good morality and civility, outward religiousness, yea, and if it were possible, our keeping of the whole law, will not help us out of this pit.  And we may weary ourselves in such exercises in vain; for they will prove but bodily exercises that profit little.  And when in this way we have spent all our time, parts, spirits, and labour, we shall at length see and say, that we have spent our money for that which is not bread.

This should put all of us to try what it is which we lean to for life; and what it is, the consideration whereof giveth us peace and quietness when the thoughts of death, judgment, hell, and the wrath of God come upon us and trouble us:  For if it be any thing beside Christ that our soul leaneth to, and that we are comforted by, and found all our hopes upon, we will meet with a lamentable (oh! for ever lamentable!) disappointment.  Be sure then, that our hearts renounce all other ways and means of outgate out of this death, besides Jesus, the resurrection and the life, else it will not be well with us.

III.  We see here, that delivery out of this natural state of death is only had by Christ:  For he alone is the life, and the life that is in him is suitable and excellent.  Hence he is called “the bread of life,” John vi. 35, 48.  “The resurrection and the life,” John xi. 25.  “The water of life,” Rev. xxi. 6, and xxii. 17.  “The tree of life,” Rev. xxii. 2, 14.  “The prince of life,” Acts iii. 15.  “Our life,” Col. iii. 4.  “The word of life, and life itself,” 1 John i. 1, 2.

And as he is a suitable and excellent life, so is he an all-sufficient and perfect life, able every way to help us and to deliver us from all the parts of our death.  For,

1.  He delivereth from the sentence of the law, Rom. v. 17, 18, undergoing the curse of the law, and becoming a curse for us, 2 Cor. v. 21.

2.  He taketh away the curse and sting of all temporal plagues, yea, and of death itself, causing all to work together for good to such as love him, Rom. viii. 28.  He hath killed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, Heb. ii. 14; and through him the sting of death, which is sin, is taken away, 1 Cor. xv. 56, 57.

3.  He reconcileth to God, taking away that distance and enmity, 2 Cor. v. 20; and so he is our peace and peacemaker, purchasing access to us to the Father, Eph. ii. 14, 16; iii. 12.

4.  He also delivereth from the power of sin and corruption, Rom. vii. 24.