Section XII: Christ the Only Helper — Replaced by Saints and Angels
Section XII: Christ the Only Helper — Replaced by Saints and Angels Sect. XII. It is granted among all Christians, that all our helps, our relief, our deliverance from sin, Satan, and the world, are from Christ alone.
This is included in all his relations unto the church,—in all his offices, and the discharge of them; and is the express doctrine of the gospel. It is no less generally acknowledged,—at least the Scripture is no less clear and positive on it,—that we receive and derive all our supplies of relief from Christ by faith: other ways of the participation of any thing from him, the Scripture knoweth not. Wherefore, it is our duty, on all occasions, to apply ourselves unto him by faith, for all supplies, reliefs, and deliverances: but these men can find no life nor power herein; at least, if they grant that somewhat might be done this way, yet they know not how to do it, being ignorant of the life of faith, and the due exercise of it. They must have a way more ready and easy, exposed to the capacities and abilities of all sorts of persons, good and bad; yea, that will serve the turn of the worst of men unto these ends. An image, therefore, must be set up for common use, instead of this spiritual application unto Christ for relief; and this is the making of the sign of the cross. Let a man but make the sign of the cross on his forehead, his breast, or the like,— which he may as easily do as take up or cast away a straw,—and there is no more required to engage Christ unto his assistance at any time.
And the virtues which they ascribe hereunto are innumerable. But this also is an idol, a teacher of lies, invented and set up for no other end but to satisfy the carnal minds of men with a presumptuous supposition, in the neglect of the spiritually laborious exercise of faith. An experience of the work of faith, in the derivation of all supplies of spiritual life, grace, and strength, with deliverance and