believed not the truth. Faith, however, when viewed as that evangelical grace which is the condition of the New Covenant, possesses altogether a peculiar character. Though the elementary principles of every evangelical grace are involved in that love, which is the fulfilling of the law; yet every grace has a specific form. Faith, strictly speaking, is distinct from every other exercise of the renewed heart. It is not love, nor repentance, nor humility, nor submission, nor self-denial, nor hope. It is indeed the exercise of a heart that already loves God, and that is humbled on account of sin; but it is one which

Thus

"there was a natural, in the latter, a moral inability. "the inability of Zacharias to speak, Luke ii. 22. was widely "different from that mentioned in 1 Sam. xxv. 17.

"The importance of a proper attention to this distinction "appears, when we observe that the former releases from ob"ligation, but the latter does not. It was no crime in Isaac, "being old, that he could not see, Gen. xxvii. 1.; but the case CC seems very different with those who have eyes and see not, "Jer. v. 21. or such as have eyes full of adultery, though it "is expressly said of them, that they cannot cease from sin"ning, 1 Pet. ii. 14."

On this subject, the reader may also consult Watts' Ruin and Recovery. Works, vol. 6. p. 291-2. as also Watts' Liberty and Necessity.

He may turn to Charnock's Works, vol. 2. p. 187; and Edwards on the Will, Part 1. Sect. 3d.

takes that view of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is taken by no other grace.

One of the best definitions of faith will be found in the Shorter Catechism of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. In answering the question, "What is faith in Jesus Christ?" they say, "FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST IS A SAVING GRACE, "WHEREBY WE RECEIVE AND REST UPON HIM ALONE “FOR SALVATION, AS HE IS OFFERED TO US IN THE

Faith in Jesus Christ is a complex act of the mind, and comprises several distinct things. One of its properties is a true knowledge of Christ's character. It is impossible to "receive and rest "upon" a Being whose character we do not know; and whose character we do not know to be worthy of confidence. I know whom I have believed, says the Apostle. Faith views the Lord Jesus as He is. It discerns the Divine excellence and majesty of His character. It recognizes the child that was born in Bethlehem, as the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father. The proper divinity of the Saviour's character is one of those plain principles of the Gospel that are essential to evangelical faith. To make an all-sufficient atonement for

sin; to soften the obdurate heart; to aid the believer in his trials and sufferings; to defend him from the power and subtlety of his enemies; and to bring him off conqueror at last-would baffle the designs of all but Eternal Wisdom, and mock the power of all but an Almighty Arm. Faith views the Saviour as truly divine. None other than the ETERNAL WORD MADE FLESH, can be the foundation hope, for none other can be mighty to save. It is of presumption to profess to know Christ, without acknowledging Him as the second of the three coequal persons in the Godhead,

As the believer discerns the Lord Jesus as He is, he also acknowledges Him as a real and proHe views Him as He is represented per man. by the Apostle, to be the one God and one Mediator between God and men, the MAN Christ Jesus. It is expressly said, that Christ took not on Him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham. The acknowledgment of Christ as man as well as God, cannot be separated from the true knowledge of Him as He is revealed in the Bible. There He is represented, and there He must be viewed, as encircled with all the majesty of the self-existent God, and all the "milder glories" of the man Christ Jesus.

The believer regards Christ in His whole mediatorial character. He sees the fulness, the perfection of His work, no less than the divine excellence of His person. He has respect to all the offices of Christ. He views Him as THE PROPHET, who came to publish the will of God, and declare the way of salvation. He views Him as THE PRIEST, whom it became God to institute, and sinners to possess; as the One whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation, through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, that God might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. He views Him as THE KING in Zion, the Head over all things to his Church, the LORD Jesus, the LORD that bought him. In Christ, the believer discovers all that can qualify Him to be a Saviour, and all that can encourage guilty, miserable man to trust in His grace. In Him, he beholds One that is eminently all-sufficient; One who is able, willing, and faithful to save to the uttermost. receives the record which God has given of His Son.

He

Sincere love to the character of Christ, is also essential to the nature of genuine faith. It is as impossible to "receive and rest upon" a being

whom we hate, as it is to "receive and rest upon" one that we do not know. Faith in Christ is not an exercise of the understanding merely; it is an affection of the heart. With the heart man believeth. If thou believest WITH ALL THY HEART, said Philip to the Eunuch, thou mayest be baptized. To those who believe, Christ is pre

cious.

The excellence which they see both in His person and in His work, they love. All that they know of Christ, they love. All the truth which is connected with the character and work of Christ, they love. They possess spiritual discernment of His divine excellence. They have the single eye that discovers His moral beauty. They see a loveliness in Christ and His gospel, that captivates their hearts. When the wandering Spouse was met by the watchmen that went about the city, and accosted with the unexpected inquiry, What is thy beloved more than another beloved? the reply was at hand: My beloved is the chief among ten thousands, He is altogether lovely. Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day, and he saw it, and was glad. The pious Psalmist was enraptured with a view of His loveliness. Thou art fairer, says he, than the children of men; grace is poured into thy lips, therefore God hath blessed Thee for ever.