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when we become actual partakers of "the 'glory that shall be revealed in us." Hope likewise will then terminate;-" for what a

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man seeth, why doth he yet hope for "?" There will no longer be hope, when we are put in possession of our heavenly inheritance. These therefore sustain us only in our earthly pilgrimage, and prepare us for the state of bliss that is to follow. Charity does more than this. It not only accompanies us to the end of our journey, and "fills us with all joy and peace in believings;" but it enters with us into our final rest. It abideth for ever. Love to God, and love to those whom God hath created, redeemed, and sanctified, are not only the purest and most exalted of our enjoyments here on earth, but will be the duty and the happiness of the blessed in heaven, throughout all eternity. Charity, then, is the

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greatest of these," because it gives perfection to the others; because it is more diffusive in its operation, more durable in its continuance; and because it renders us more like to God Himself; for "God is love," and "he "that loveth not knoweth not God'." So truly was it said, by an ancient Father of the

9 Rom. viii. 18. t 1 John iv. 8.

Rom. viii. 24.

s Rom. xv. 13.

VOL. II.

A a

Church, that "faith is the beginning of the "Christian life, and charity the end of it"."

How pernicious, then, is the error of those who in any way separate these from each other! Yet we meet with some who seem to rest upon the all-sufficiency of faith, and to despise the works of charity; to be puffed up with a conceit of superior knowledge in Divine truths, or a presumptuous reliance on the Divine favour; and who, in consequence of these overweening pretensions, introduce a party-spirit into matters of religion, and create strife, dissension, and schism in the Church. Others, again, appear to cherish a delusive hope, with little either of faith or charity; nominally professing themselves Christians, yet indifferent as to the articles of their Creed or the conduct which their Christian profession requires of them;-their hope being unsupported by Scripture or reason, and scarcely distinguishable from infidelity itself. Nor is the number inconsiderable of those who lay claim to charity, without regard to religious principle; who vilify "modes of faith," and magnify moral worth; who seem to regard the hope of the Gospel as a matter of but secondary consideration; easily satisfied with their own imaginary notions of goodness, or Ignatius in Epist. ad Ephes.

V

with the applause of the undiscerning multitude; not considering that even the most specious of our "good works" will not be found acceptable in the sight of God, unless they spring from a principle of faith in the Divine promises and obedience to the Divine will, without which, charity itself, as combining the love of God with the love of man, can hardly be said to exist. It is difficult to say which of these imperfect schemes is most at variance with the general tenor of the Christian dispensation. All claims to a saving faith without charity, the Apostle declares to be nothing worth. All foundations of hope which have not the promises of God for their support, are by the same authority shewn to be illusory and vain; since "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus “ Christ"." In like manner, all pretences to charity, without the obedience of faith, and the hope that is in Christ Jesus, will be unable to abide that scrutiny which every man's work must hereafter undergo at the tribunal of our heavenly Judge; for, says the same Apostle, "love is the fulfilling of the "law." Faith, hope, and charity then are essential requisites in the Christian character. They are also peculiar to that character, and

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w 1 Cor. iii. 11.

x Rom. xiii. 10.

when happily united and cooperative, they will ensure to the possessor of them (through the merits and mediation of HIM, for whose sake alone our best services can be accepted) the reward of eternal life.

And now, what has the unbeliever to put in competition with these inestimable gifts, or what can he substitute in their stead? Acknowledging no guide but his own fallible reason, no Saviour to atone for his failings or transgressions, no sanctifier to correct his evil propensities, or to aid his imperfect endeavours, his faith is but self-confidence, his hope but doubt and darkness, his charity little better than an animal instinct, which may as often lead him wrong as right, or a sordid selfish feeling, prompting him to seek the good of others with no other motive than as may subserve his own personal interests.

it

On the other hand, what has the enthusiast to offer, which, in his zeal to renounce all selfrighteousness, can supersede the necessity of bringing these Christian graces into united operation? He boasts perhaps of his faith, and of something more than hope, of absolute election, of indefectible grace, of an experimental assurance of his salvation. But unless his faith "work by love"," and be "shewn by his

y Gal. v. 6.

"works"," unless his hope be that which "maketh not ashamed," diffusing a salutary influence over his whole life and conversation; what will his boast avail? What will it avail, to plead the promises of the Gospel, without adhering to its stipulations and conditions?

Let it, then, be our first care to "examine "ourselves, whether we be in the faith";"whether we be firmly rooted and grounded in those fundamental articles of our belief, the tendency of which is to influence every part of our conduct, to give a right direction to every thought and purpose of the mind, to pervade every inclination and affection of the heart. Having laid this sure foundation of what is good and acceptable in the sight of God, let us constantly set before us that blessed hope, which is the immediate result of such a firm conviction, and affords the most powerful of all encouragements to perseverance unto the end. Thus fortified and supported, let us "go on unto perfection"," by cultivating that charity which springs from "a pure heart and a good conscience," as well as from "faith unfeigned." Let this be manifested in the diligent performance of whatever belongs to our Christian profession; in that regulation of the temper, the appe

z James ii. 18.

a 2 Cor. iii. 15.

b Hebr. vi. 1.