fort of an abiding Christian's faith?

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structed followers of ou of themselves, this grand corrector of the evils of ou

only, but also djuster of the irregularities nest and assurance of eternity;

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tidings to mankind, revealed to mighty doctrine which was hidder the wise and powerful of former times. which was now communicated that the

ants of the Lord might sojourn on this thin hope-and that they might depart it in peace, when, though their eyes may have seen, their souls have apprehended the assurance of God's salvation.

Do you ask whether this great salvation shall be granted to faith alone? Whether faith ungraced by the endearing qualities, or the sublime virtues which Christianity teaches, shall insure everlasting life? I hope to call your attention at some future period to the connection between faith and works-my answer at present is, that a true lively faith cannot be imagined alone, but may be expected as naturally to bloom into good works, as a healthy tree bears fruit and blossom. How could it possibly be, that any man appreciating duly the privileges which Christ purchased

st a price, should not shew anxious to set forth his Reaise; that he who felt himself of darkness into the marvellous the Christian covenant, could hold vship any longer with that darkness out which he was called.

Allow me to direct your attention to the efficacy of a far inferior principle. Allow me to suggest to your minds, remembrances which history may have traced there, and to remind you of those agitating emotions by which you have been sometimes moved, as you read of the proofs of loyalty and love exhibited by the subjects of some insulted monarch. Have you not read of times and circumstances, in which this feeling strongly influencing a gallant people, has sent them forth in defiance of peril and disaster, to support with energy their Sovereign's cause, or to perish, if it sunk, amidst its ruins? Have you not read of the passionate throbbing of young hearts, and of age bracing on unwonted arms, and of mothers sending forth their sons with patriot pride, and almost without a tear, to the field where their King had called them? Have you not read of whole nations feeling, as if in one bosom, a lofty emotion which made ordinary cares and individual interests be scorned, and

M

Thus, we have seen what faith is, and what power it has it has. It is a belief in the unseen realities, as powerful, and as constraining, as the belief we have in the external world. It has the power, by raising the mind to the contemplation of eternal things, to overcome all that in the natural man is enmity against God, and to regulate and restrain those affections and desires which may, under proper guidance, be conducive to our improvement and our hap piness, but which, if not under the controul of a lively faith, from the infirmity of our nature, will frequently lead to evil.

But you have, I dare say, already observed that the faith we have been considering, is not that which contains the peculiarity of the Christian doctrine. We have considered rather what the Christian has in common with the believers in a natural religion, than that which is peculiar to himself, We have been considering, if I may use such an expression, the faith of nature, rather than of revelation. The faith of Plato, rather than of Paul."He that cometh to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of all them that diligently seek him." This is the faith upon which the religion of nature rests, which we must admit was gloriously illustrated by many a noble Heathen. But there is a faith

d to

the

different from this, a faith in things which flesh and blood have not revealed to us, a faith which opens the kingdom of Heaven, and in which the Christian Church has laid its ever

lasting foundations. "And Simon Peter, answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." St. Paul teaches us, “that it is a true saying and worthy of all men to be believed, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This is the faith upon which Christ hath built his Church, the belief in his office, and a reliance on his power

to save.

Now, it is to be observed, that however the faith of the Heathens might agree in one characteristic of true faith, inasmuch as it gave evidence of things unseen, it is only the Christian faith which can be truly the substance of things hoped for. The Heathen, let us suppose, believed that there was a God, and that he was the rewarder of all that diligently sought him—but evidently this belief might be accompanied as well by terror as by hope. He had a belief of a great being who was to recompense him according to the life he led, evil for evil, as well as for virtue a reward ; and the consciousness he must have had of his frail and corrupt nature would, most assuredly, prevent him from feeling in his faith the com

Thus, we have seen what faith is, and what power it has It is a belief in the unseen realities, as powerful, and as constraining, as the belief we have in the external world. It has the power, by raising the mind to the contemplation of eternal things, to overcome all that in the natural man is enmity against God, and to regulate and restrain those affections and desires which may, under proper guidance, be conducive to our improvement and our happiness, but which, if not under the controul of a lively faith, from the infirmity of our nature, will frequently lead to evil.

But you have, I dare say, already observed that the faith we have been considering, is not that which contains the peculiarity of the Christian doctrine. We have considered rather what the Christian has in common with the believers in a natural religion, than that which is peculiar to himself, We have been considering, if I may use such an expression, the faith of nature, rather than of revelation. The faith of Plato, rather than of Paul.— "He that cometh to He is, and that He is a rewarder of all them that diligently seek him." This is the faith upon which the religion of nature rests, which we must admit was gloriously illustrated by many a noble Heathen. But there is a faith

God, must believe that