There was, in the latter part of the sixteenth century, a man in Italy who was a child of God,
taught by the Spirit. His name was Aonio Paleario. He had written a book called The Benefit of
Christ’s Death. That book was destroyed in Italy, and for three centuries it was not possible to
find a copy; but two or three years ago an Italian copy was found, I believe, in one of the libraries
at Cambridge or Oxford, and it has been printed again. It is perhaps singular, but this man did not
leave the Romish Church, as he ought to have done, but his whole heart was given to Christ. He
was brought before the judge in Rome, by order of the Pope. The judge said, "We will put to him
three questions:we will ask him what is the first cause of salvation,, then what is the second cause
of salvation, then what is the third cause of salvation". They thought that, in putting these three
questions, he would at last be made to say something which should be to the glory of the Church
of Rome. So they asked him, "What is the first cause of salvation?" and he answered, "CHRIST".
Then they asked him, "What is the second cause of salvation?" and he answered, "CHRIST".
Then they asked him, "What is the third cause of salvation?" and he answered, "CHRIST". They
thought he would have said, first, Christ; secondly, the Word; thirdly, the Church; but no, he
said, "CHRIST". The first cause, Christ; the second, Christ; the third, Christ; and for that
confession, which he made in Rome, he was condemned to be put to death as a martyr. My dear
friends, let us think and speak like that man; let every one of us say, "The first cause of my
salvation is Christ; the second is Christ; the third is Christ. Christ and His atoning blood, Christ
and His regenerating Spirit; Christ and His eternal electing grace. Christ is, my only salvation.
I know of nothing else.