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immortality! It will influence their behaviour in this life, and will support them under the uncertainty of things hoped for.

But what a comfort must it be to a good Christian, that his faith is established upon a much surer foundation than it could possibly be under the light of nature! Then there was no certainty of such glorious rewards as we have now; they were only presumptive and hoped for, but now are ascertained by Jesus Christ, who hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. It must therefore be the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, that war against the Christian faith.

It does not relish with the carnal man to believe that Jesus is the son of God; that he took man's nature upon him for our redemp. tion; that he proved his divinity by miracles and wonders; that he has made known the will of his Father, which is to reward the righteous with inconceiveable blessings, and punish the wicked with as inconceivable torments; these are such mortal stabs to sense and appetite, which are the enemies of faith, that it is not at all surprising to find so little of it amongst inconsiderate men. After arguing with the libertine from nature, let us see what reason dictates.

If we consult that, it will tell us, that such a faith as is founded upon demonstration, is not so valuable as that which is built upon probable evidence only. Because a faith resulting from the conviction of our senses, com

mands our assent without the least hesitation or difficulty. Whereas that which proceeds from probable evidence, has many difficulties to encounter, many prejudices to get over; which can be done only by serious reflection, and impartial enquiry; and does, upon that account, require a more generous and honest disposition, than that which proceeds from sensible conviction.

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If we value the authority of scripture, we may confirm this by what Thomas said concerning the resurrection of Christ. Except," says he, "I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." But when our Saviour condescended to remove his caprice and obstinacy, he, in an ecstasy of joy, cries out, My Lord, and my God!

You see he made no difficulty to believe, when he was convinced by the evidence of his senses. But what said Christ? "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed:" and in this rank of the blessed are all true believers at this day.

Now, if there be any difference between a man that makes use of his reason, and diligently examines the credibility of things, and one who gives himself up to a hazardous and implicit faith, without reason or consideration; certainly the one, as he acts like a rational creature, may be called a virtuous man, and deservedly rewarded; the other, as he gives up

his reason and debases himself below the brute creation, may be termed a vicious man, and deservedly punished.

Give me leave, now, to draw an inference or two, by way of conclusion.

And first, as this doctrine of faith is misunderstood, and represented in a false light by enemies and injudicious friends, we should be upon our guard, and take care that we are not deceived, but consult the scriptures alone for information.

But if, after all, we should happen to be misled by those who put false glosses upon this doctrine, we must be careful on the one hand, that it proceeds from a defect in our understandings, and not from an inclination to this or that opinion; so, on the other side, we must renounce all scepticism, and where we find such evidence as would command our assent in a thing of less moment, than that of our salvation, we should pay the greatest defference and respect to it imaginable.

Indeed, when a man has been bred up in an erroneous opinion, and through prejudice of education, and inability to judge properly, steadily adheres to it, as being verily persuaded of its truth, he certainly deserves all the candour and charity that we are capable of giving.

But when, on the contrary, a man disregards religion and virtue, and lives an immoral and abandoned life; when he thinks it a matter of no consequence whether he does any good. action or not; of no consequence whether he keeps holy the sabbath, or goes to any place of

public worship; but thinks a bare leaning upon Christ for salvation will save him. Or when he imagines he has nothing more to do but to come unto Christ just as he is; to carry nothing with him but his sins, in order that they may be washed away by the blood of the lamb; I say, when this is the case, we must pronounce him to be in a dangerous situation, or else allow that the gospel contradicts itself.

The language of scripture is," Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins," which implies that we are not to come unto Christ by a bare belief in his merits only, but we must bring our repentance along with us. And our

repentance must be sincere too, such as is proved by a reformation of life and manners. And, when we have done all, we must acknowledge ourselves unprofitable servants; that we have done that which was our duty to do, and not arrogate the least merit to ourselves; but allow all the merit to be in Christ.

Another inference is, that we take care to be of the number of those faithful whom Christ will take with him into glory, when he comes to judge the world. For as we must all appear, in the day of judgment, before a most awful tribunal, to answer for every action and most secret thought; and as we know not how soon we shall be called off this earthly stage, it must be of the greatest importance to us to be prepared for the coming of our blessed Master, by a true faith, productive of good works.

The faithful Christian, that "staggers not at the promises of God through unbelief," shall then

meet with a most glorious reward from a righteous Judge, who hath promised him a crown of life!

But the wicked sinner, who hath slighted the terms of salvation, and neglected the day of grace, shall be doomed to eternal misery.

Let the sinner then, whoever he is, consider this, and be wise before it be too late; let him lay aside his contempt of God and religion, and be assured that what St. Paul says is true--" The Just shall live by faith." Purify, therefore, your hearts by faith: have faith in God, and be persuaded, that what God hath promised he is faithful to perform; and this will lead you to renounce the world and its enjoyments; to set your affections upon things above; to endure the seeming hardships of virtue, for the unseen, though promised joys of heaven; and lead you at last to the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

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