righteous providence is undoubtedly the foundation of all religion; but faith in the Redeemer must be the leading principle of an economy of redemption.

Let us then endeavour to consider more closely the extent and efficacy of this evangelical principle.

The language of the holy Scriptures is often con cise, but never inaccurate. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," is indeed a short sentence, and has appeared to some a strange and summary manner of imparting salvation. But it requires only a little reflection to perceive its comprehensiveness. For, who is the Lord Jesus Christ? He who has been appointed by the Father to be the Saviour of all the ends of the earth. And why is it that in this character he possesses so powerful a claim upon our attention? Because we are sinners, subject to death, as the just reward of our offences, and incapable of rescuing ourselves; because holiness is life everlasting, and in our own strength we are unable to attain it. He who comes to Jesus, and asks salvation from him, must undoubtedly first be sensible that he needs it. He must feel, that in himself he has no hope; that he is justly exposed to the righte ous wrath of God; that he possesses neither the means of satisfying his anger, nor the power of resisting it. He must understand the value of that atonement which the mercy of his Maker has provided; not merely as an abstract truth, to be contemplated with admiration, as a part of his provi

dential economy, but as a truth of the deepest personal interest, unspeakably valuable and consoling to himself as a sinner. Without these previous dispositions, how is it possible that any one should believe in Christ, such as the Gospel has revealed him to us? And so disposed, is it not abundantly manifest, that in accepting him as our Saviour, we shall accept him as our Lord, and Prince, and Pattern; a Deliverer from the power of sin, as well as from its penalty; the Source of our strength; the Object of our affections; the living Image of holiness, to which we must be conformed; the Guardian in whom we are to trust; the Judge by whom we must be approved; whose favour is security and peace, whose acceptance is everlasting glory and happiness? In that economy In that economy of righteousness, which the wisdom of God had prepared before the foundation of the world, Christ is all in all; the source, the centre, and the end. He pervades and he comprehends the whole.

But there is a privilege attached to the faith of a Christian, so important, and so deeply interesting, that it deserves a more particular consideration. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

86

Had a divine revelation informed us, that God, through the merits and intercession of his Son, was willing to pardon our sins on sincere repentance, to supply us with strength sufficient for his service, and finally to advance those who should be found worthy to a state of the most perfect happi

ness; this surely would have been justly esteemed to be intelligence of the very highest moment

66

good tidings of great joy to all people." But the goodness of our heavenly Father has glorified his Son by the dispensation of a mercy yet more astonishing and complete. To the humble repentant believer in Jesus Christ he offers something beyond pardon, strength, and hope: he stretches out the arms of his paternal love, and receives him at once to his favour. Like the tender parent in the parable, he sees him while yet afar off, and welcomes him with the smile of gladness to his everlasting home.

There is something so unspeakably generous and elevated in that part of the Gospel promises which has been last mentioned, that it seems to me scarcely possible to consider it, without tracing (if I may so speak) the touches of an Almighty hand, the lineaments of a heavenly origin. In this world, all is cold, timid, and defensive. The sallies of an imprudent passion may be forgiven; but a silent retrospective glance reminds us how greatly we offended. The assurances of renewed affection are perhaps received; but there is still some halfrestrained emotion, some well-recovered and wellexplained inadvertency, that speaks a secret ap.. prehension. There are terms and pledges and provisos. Resentment lurks under the form of dignity; and suspicion wears the mask of prudence. Earthly these passions of the earth,

They perish where they had their birth.

In the counsels of our Almighty Benefactor all is great and noble; worthy of his exalted nature and comprehensive wisdom. Is it possible to conceive any thing more liberal in its character, or better suited to influence a mind capable of being affected by generosity, and sensible to emotions of gratitude, than the free offer of reconciliation and favour which the Gospel proposes? Is there in the whole circle of creation a spectacle more delightful than that of an injured benefactor throwing wide his arms, with all the eagerness of affectionate confidence, to receive his much-offending and much-humbled friend? It is one of the peculiar features of Christianity, that it addresses the most elevated sentiments of our nature; it calls forth whatever is truly noble; purifies it from its vile alloy, and fixes it on a sure and everlasting basis. In its character there is nothing low or compromising. The commands which it publishes are most strict and holy; the rewards which it promises are most excellent and animating; the motives which it employs are most affecting. Let our sentiments and actions correspond, then, with that high and holy dispensation. Let us yield to its influence without reserve and without fear; offering the sacrifice, not of a few painful restraints and heartless performances, but of every faculty and every feeling; "knowing in whom we have believed," and fully persuaded, that He who demands the consecration of all our powers, will abundantly justify the requisition, by exalting them to their full perfection, and employing them at once to the ad

vancement of his own glory and of our highest and inconceivable felicity.

The foundation of a Christian faith is laid in humility. Where else should it rest, while it resides in the hearts of sinners? It is in the nature of sin to make us insensible to the degradation it occasions. Like a vile sorceress, she blinds the eyes of those whom she ensnares, to her own deformity. But could we see, as hereafter doubtless we shall see, the true glory of a pure and righteous God;-could we behold the love, and order; and felicity, and beauty, which reign with a serene and cloudless lustre through his happy empire; could we contemplate fully, and feel justly, the nameless abomi nations, the hopeless confusion, the shame, and desolation, and misery, which sin has wrought wherever its influence has extended; who is there that would not hide his head in the dust at the recollection of his past offences? It may happen, indeed, and probably it does often happen, that the first entrance on the paths of piety is attended with a delight so lively, as to subdue and swallow up every other emotion. Such appears to have been pretty generally the case among the first converts to Christianity. It may happen too, and I trust it does often happen, that they who have received the Gospel" with joy of the Holy Ghost," so continue to tread faithfully in the paths of heavenly wisdom, as to experience, even to the end of their lives, "that her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." But whether our entrance VOL. II.

S