The only way in which the harmony of heaven could be maintained was by rigid observance of the exclusive doctrine of perfect submission to the head. Lucifer, son of the morning, undertook to question the point. He was cast down. Others sided with him and shared his fate.
Adam was placed in the garden of Eden, where was everything that would please the eye, captivate the senses, or delight the heart. Jehovah revealed to him the doctrine of exclusive salvation: "In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." The only, the exclusive method of salvation proposed from sin, sorrow, and death, was this,—abstinence from the fruit from a particular tree. It was an irrevocable decree, by lawful authority, even the Eternal God. It mattered not what the devil said, what Eve said, or what any other personage said, however exalted his station or great his authority. The doctrine of exclusive salvation was given; it was true, it was faithful. The devil, wily and subtle, preached against exclusive salvation; said it was a false doctrine: "Ye shall not surely die." He deceived Eve; Eve persuaded Adam; Adam transgressed; the devil was proved a liar; Adam discovered by painful experience, and his posterity to this day are witnesses in themselves of the truth of the doctrine of exclusive salvation. Thus it will be seen that it is a true doctrine, and the devil the opposer of it from the beginning.
But we must pass hastily through the scriptures. We have not space nor time to examine the testimony of the ancient worthies, the prophets, one by one, or we should discover that they all, without exception, preach the doctrine of exclusive salvation; who were sent to preach at all.
We come to Noah, the famous diluvian preacher of righteousness. One hundred and twenty years whilst the ark was building did Noah preach the doctrine of exclusive salvation. The only, the exclusive method of salvation prepared and appointed, was the ark. It was perfectly immaterial what other prophets or teachers might teach or believe. The doctrine of Noah was true, and God would authorize no one to preach any other contrary doctrine. Noah's doctrine was an exceedingly unpopular doctrine, if we may judge by his numerical success. The majority of mankind made light of it: "They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark." The terrific roar of the overflowing waters was a fearful testimony to the antediluvians, in favour of the doctrine of exclusive salvation.
Lot preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation; and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah experienced its truth to their utter dismay, consternation, and destruction.
Moses preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation, and the punishments consequent upon opposition to this doctrine were severely felt by the Egyptians at the Red Sea, by the Israelites in the wilderness, and by the Canaanites who fell before the children of Israel.
Looking up to the brazen serpent made by Moses, was the exclusive method of salvation from the deadly effects of the bite of the fiery serpents which the Lord sent.
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, Saul, Uzzah, and the prophets of Baal, can testify to the truth of this doctrine.
Naaman's indignant wrath, and haughty pride were all in vain; his servant persuaded him that the exclusive method of salvation from his leprosy consisted in obedience to the voice of God, even washing himself seven times in the river Jordan. No matter what Naaman or anybody else thought or said. Six washings in the river Jordan would not have availed anything, neither would seven washings in any other river but the river Jordan have produced the desired effect.
Repentance at the preaching of Jonah, proved exclusive salvation to the Ninevites.