wrought, that he was a teacher fent from GOD: CHRIST plainly told him, that this was not the faith of the Gofpel; for, faith he, except a man be born again, of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot fee the kingdom of GOD*.-But when Peter confeffed him to be the CHRIST, the Son of God, he faith, Bleffed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood, that is, man's wisdom or teaching, hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Thus every good gift, of which faith is one, and every perfect gift cometh down from above, from the Father of gifts; with whom is no variableness, neither fhadow of turning: For, of his own will begat be us, with the word of truth, thro' the Spirit.

The HOLY SPIRIT then is the immediate Author, and worker of faith in the hearts of all GOD'S people; and is therefore called the Spirit of Faith: And the efficacy of faith must needs be exceeding great and powerful, because of its divine origin, and Author.-The foul alfo, in believing, is taught, and led by the Spirit to lay hold on CHRIST, who is the power of GOD; and by him to lay hold on GOD, who is in CHRIST; for all wisdom, and strength, in its spiritual warfare, and conflicts with the world, fin, and Satan.

Be

John iii. 3, 5. † Matth. xvi. 17. James i. 17, 18.

Before faith came it was wont to have recourfe to its own purposes, and promifes of amendment of life, &c. to quiet, and pacify a guilty, accufing confcience; but now, to the blood of CHRIST: -Then, its endeavours to do good works, and diligence in the performance of moral and religious duties, were its righteoufnefs, in which the foul trufted; but nose, the righteoufnefs of CHRIST is its only hope, and dependance.-Before converfion, it walked by its own light, was guided by its own wisdom, and trusted in its own ftrength: But now, it fees all to be in CHRIST, and receives by faith the fupply of all its wants from CHRIST, day by day knowing in himself, that without him he can do nothing.

He is now made to understand, and know affuredly, that it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps, nor to order his goings and conversation aright. If CHRIST, by his Spirit, instruct and guide him not continually, he is, as a blind man that hath none to lead him by the hand; always in fear for want of a guide, and always ftumbling because he hath no light in him: Hence he experiences the very fame things as the antient Chriftians did, and ufes their very language: as it is written, Order my steps in thy word, and let no ini

quity

quity have dominion over me: And again, Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps flip not : And again, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me ; for thou art the God of my falvation: quicken me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.- GOD alfo hath promised that he will not fhut out the prayer of his felfdiffident, and deftitute faints: I, faith GOD, will teach thee, and inftruct thee in the way that thou fhalt go: And again, the Lord fhall guide thee continually: And again he faith, I will put my Spirit within them, and caufe them to walk in my ftatutes to do them as many therefore as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the fons of God.

As the foul by faith is led to CHRIST, and lives upon him for wisdom and knowledge; fo it does likewife for all ftrength and power, to abide in Chrift, and continue in the faith. Hereby be refifts the devil, quenching all his fiery darts, and overcomes him. For by faith he fights with Satan in the ftrength of CHRIST; and, by the power of his might he prevails over him, unto compleat victory. -It is as impoffible for Satan, with all his infernal legions, to deftroy the believer, as to pluck CHRIST from his throne: Wherefore he faith, All things are poffible to him that believeth: And again, Because I live, ye shall live alfo.

-Hence the

Church

Church triumphs in CHRIST, and faith; the LORD is my strength, and my fong; he alfo is become. my falvation.Thus we are commanded, and encouraged to trust in the Lord for ever, becaufe in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting ftrength.

In this manner the Chriftian, that is, in believing, overcomes all his fpiritual enemies by faith. he attains promifes, worketh righteousness, and overcomes the world: as it is written, this is the victory, that overcometh the world, even our faith*.The end therefore of our faith, for which cause GOD bestows it upon us, is, that we might live upon CHRIST; and, receiving of his fullness, might be able to overcome the world, fin, and Satan; to the praise of the glory of God's grace towards us, thro' CHRIST JESUS; And finally, that we might inherit eternal glory:-Thus, It is of faith, that it might be by grace +.

If faith be taken away from the Chriftian, he can do nothing; for by faith only the HOLY SPIRIT teaches, and enables him to live, and depend upon CHRIST; and without CHRIST he can receive nothing from God. The Chriftian of himfelf is nothing, and can do nothing; but he can do all things thro' Chrift ftrengthening him: For the Father

John v. 4.

+ Rom. iv. 16.

Father loveth the Son, and bath given all things into his band*; that whofoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life.

Thus, by faith, GOD purifieth our hearts, and unites our fouls to CHRIST thro' the Spirit.

Thro' faith in CHRIST's blood, he not only juftifieth, but also fanctifieth our fouls, by the fame Spirit.

By faith, we walk humbly with GOD, and have our fruit unto holiness.

Faith works by love; therefore the Holy Spirit purifies our fouls, in believing, unto unfeigned love of the brethren.

But without faith, the foul can have no love to CHRIST, nor to his Saints; no peace with God, nor in his own confcience; no joy in the Lord, by the Holy Ghost; nor can Chrift be in him the hope of glory.-But whofo believeth on JESUS CHRIST, with that faith which purifieth the heart, and worketh by love; is kept by the power of God, thro faith, unto eternal salvation†.

Faith then is an excellent grace, which the natural man cannot comprehend; for it is altogether of a fpiritual and heavenly nature: it comes from GOD

John iii. 35.

+1 Pet. i. 5.