the Gospel is not a dry system of morals; nay, that the Almighty does not deal with us only as rational and intelligent beings. The religion of Jesus addresses itself to the finest parts of our nature; it kindles the best affections; it approves itself to the heart, not less than to the understanding. And most truly does the Apostle say in the text, "With the heart man believeth;" and with equal truth does he elsewhere deliver that awful warning, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief."* For our Heavenly Father hath made us creatures of strong passions, formed to love and desire, to hope and fear; by these is the judgment swayed; and according as we love the Lord Jesus and his Gospel, in the same degree will our faith be vigorous and powerful. This at least will be the case in general. Some persons there are, undoubtedly, who are more remarkable for force of intellect than warmth of feeling or imagination. These, when they have embraced the truth, after sober and diligent investigation, will have a powerful constraining motive to admire its various excellencies, and make it the ruling principle of their life. Be it your care, brethren, to study the Gospel in such a manner as to be thoroughly convinced of the truths which it reveals, and to yield up your hearts to the impressions which it would make on them so as to see in it the most excellent

* Heb. iii. 12,

gift of God, and believe assuredly that it comes from Him; and likewise to derive from it the most prevailing motives to love and to every good work. If the Gospel be indeed that which we believe it to be, how great cause have we to admire the strength of evidence on which it rests, the sublime doctrines it reveals, the purity of its precepts, the moving, persuasive, prevailing tenderness with which it wins its way to the heart, and establishes itself there, triumphing over the most violent passions; and again, the tremendous force of the judgments which it threatens, whereby it beats down all that opposeth itself -the pride of intellect, and vehemence of desire, and brings the whole body, soul, and spirit, into subjection to its holy law! Receive it, brethren, and hold it to your hearts as a living principle; for "with the heart man believeth unto righteousness."

This is the end and effect of a right faith righteousness, or justification in the sight of God; and the practice of righteousness, i. e. of obedience to his holy law, both toward Him and toward men. And this blessed effect is to be wrought by love. "Faith worketh by love." For how shall we be justified or approved before God, unless the love of him be in our hearts? and how shall we fulfil the holy law of God, or, as the pious Psalmist saith, "run in the way of his commandments, unless he set our hearts at liberty?" unless our affections be taken off from all that may de

even

grade and defile them, and be moved by His Spirit? And what is there which will work so powerfully on the best feelings of our nature, as a firm belief and full trust in the perfections of the Godhead as engaged on our behalf; in the merits of the Saviour's sacrifice, and the power of his Spirit? This disentangles the heart and its desires from earthly snares; this fills it with a devout but chastened love toward God; and a tender affection towards all our brethren, the children of the same Father, and heirs of the same salvation: this it is "a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, and a thankful remembrance of his death," by which we perceive and feel the excellence of the Gospel in all its parts; by which we "taste and see that the Lord is gracious; gracious in all his dealings, in all his commands, and all his visitations; and in affording that strength which may enable us to do what is required, and endure all that is laid upon us. It is this which makes us earnestly desirous, and at the same time duly qualified to take our part in those holy ordinances, which he has appointed for our edification and comfort, and especially to eat and drink at his table, for the strengthening and refreshing of our souls. "Oh, love the Lord, all ye his saints; " let your love of him, and your trust in him, mutually strengthen each other, and make you in all things conformed to his holy will.

119

SERMON VIII.

CONFESSION OF faith. (11.)

LITURGY.

ROMANS, X. 9, 10.

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

FAITH is the moving principle of the Gospel. This is true, in whatever sense it be taken, whether as simple belief in the great truths which are revealed, or as a sure trust in God that all his words shall be fulfilled in their season. The latter is the meaning of the word as it is usually employed in Holy Writ. And of course this sense implies the other. For it is not possible to place trust and confidence in any one unless we believe him to exist, and believe him to be such as he has declared himself to be. Therefore, the Apostle writes to the Hebrews, "he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is

the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Here is matter for your serious consideration, brethren. Taking the word "faith" in its lowest and simplest sense, as a mere belief in the existence of God, you must believe that he is exactly such as he has revealed himself to you. You must believe him to be possessed. of those attributes which he really has, or you do not believe in him at all; at least, you do not believe in him rightly and truly; and a false belief manifestly can be of no avail. If I believe the God whom I worship to be such as the heathens believe their gods to be, that, for instance, he is full of lust, revenge, and all evil passions, I do not believe in the true Jehovah; for he is the very opposite of this. If I believe him to be the God of the Jews only, I do not believe in the true God; for he is not the God of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles also. If I believe him to be the Maker of the world, without believing that he governs the world which he made; or if I believe in him as the Maker and Governor of all things, but not as the Redeemer of mankind, or the Sanctifier of his church, my belief is not scriptural, and consequently it is false. I must believe that God is what his own word represents him to be all pure and holy, wise and powerful, good and gracious, without partiality, and without the smallest mixture of evil; otherwise, instead of paying him that respect which he demands at my hands, I do great dishonour to him. I must