measure of incredulity or aversion? This, indeed, would be falling into a dangerous snare; and would render us, in any such instance, incapable of arriving at a knowledge of the truth. The words preceding the text affirm, that "whatsoever is born of God," (whoever has the true christian spirit and character, thus believing and acting correspondently with his baptismal admission into covenant with God,) "overcometh the world ;" and then the text proceeds to assert the means, by which this victory is to be maintained and accomplished; "this is the victory which overcometh the world, even our faith."

The word "faith" is frequently supposed to imply no more than a bare assent to the truth of the doctrines of revelation; and in this sense, it is sometimes exclusively intended: but when it is used to denote the christian character, when it is described as the efficacious means of christian privileges, when it is held forth as furnishing a title to christian rewards, then it is always considered in connection

with its consequences; as a vital and influential principle, operating habitually upon the understanding and the heart; as subduing that pride of reason, which sets itself against the teaching and authority of God; as mortifying those corrupt affections, which indispose us to receive and obey His holy word; as leading us to look, daily and constantly, "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith," and to lean only upon His heavenly grace; as thus establishing within us a purity of heart, and imparting unto us that "hunger and thirst after righteousness," which He has promised to satisfy and bless; elevating our thoughts, our desires, our hopes, our joys, above the vanities of the world below; and making us to walk and live, as those whose "conversation is in heaven; from whence also they look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”*

And in truth, a sincere, and full, and vital faith will always be influential and active. We may believe only in part:

* Phil. iii. 20.

we may believe, without any operative principle, in the mere evidences of the christian religion: we may believe, that Jesus was the Son of God; that He suffered and died for the redemption of mankind; that all His true followers have an inheritance in the future world of bliss and glory; but then all this may amount to nothing more, than a bare assent of the mind to certain speculative points; to certain general propositions of doctrine, as matters of credibility; whereas, an entire and holy faith in the gospel, in all its great and glorious truths, will necessarily create an individual interest; we shall be brought thereby to perceive, truly and deeply, our own deplorable condition, by nature; the amazing, overwhelming importance of obtaining our part and lot in that covenant of salvation, which Jesus Christ has revealed for the benefit of lost and fallen man: it is absolutely impossible for this truth, if the belief of it enter into the soul, to be regarded with indifference. If we fully believed in the announcement of an

important earthly blessing, of large possessions, or distinguished honour, attainable by the observance of prescribed conditions, we should be powerfully moved by the consideration: how much more then, if we did as fully believe, should we be moved by the announcement of heavenly blessings, of a treasure that fadeth not away, of everlasting salvation.

The cause (let me repeat) of these momentous realities being so commonly disregarded, of their exciting no vital interest, is this-that they are credited only, as general truths, and not individually felt as soon as they are pressed home to our own bosom, as soon as we are brought to see and acknowledge our own infinite concern in them, the belief is no longer cold and inoperative; the highest faculties of the soul are immediately put into vigorous action; our conscience is awakened by compunctious visitings; and our best affections are devoutly engaged: we perceive, that the value of eternity is infinite, beyond all comparison

o competition; and we become straightway determined, by God's grace, to bend all our thoughts, and desires, and endeavours that way; to "sell all that we have," in order to secure that pearl of inestimable price.

And thus believing in this fundamental proposition, we are led to believe in all that the system of the gospel contains; in the truth of all its doctrines, and the absolute necessity of obeying all its precepts. They have all proceeded alike from infinite wisdom and mercy; and, therefore, can neither be untrue, nor unnecessary to be observed. The holy and infallible spirit of God could not possibly reveal a doctrine which contained the slightest admixture of error; could not injoin any ordinances or observances, but such as are indispensable. Hence the true believer sees as plainly, and admits as sincerely and unreservedly, the extent of his own obligations, and his own duty, as he does the fulness of the Saviour's mercy. And when he takes this view of the gos

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