in the fullest assurance, by laying all the firm foundations for it that have been mentioned. How delightful must it be to overcome the legality of the heart, by possessing a clear and appropriating knowledge of the grace of God! To build our confidence, as to things of the greater importance and nearest concern, upon a naked word coming from the mouth of Christ, even though sense and reason, yea, the ordinary course of providence, be all against it! To hang with fixed resolution on the Lord, till we succeed in our request, refusing to let him go, except he bless us ! To maintain our peace and confidence, upon the sure ground of God's promise and covenant, even when he hides his face, and seems to cover it with a cloud in his anger! And, finally, to abound in all the fruits of the Spirit, which are in all goodness, living in the Spirit, and walking in the Spirit! How desirable must it be to live upon the principles of the gospel, in such high and comfortable paths of "fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ!" This is the life, these are the dignifying privileges, of strong believers.

7. Because faith in Christ, even in its lowest and weakest measures, is always successful; therefore believers are properly called "rich in faith." Whatever God hath promised becomes their inheritance. They know not the extent of the durable, the unsearchable riches of Christ, in whom they are complete. Sooner may they count the number of the sandy particles on the sea-shore, and measure the waters of the ocean, and comprehend the whole system of nature, than they can know all the fulness of God, who is the portion of their souls, and all the

glories of that eternal life they have in his onlybegotten Son.

8. Since unfeigned faith is always successful, therefore true believers can never perish, but must persevere unto the end. God hath promised eternal life in Christ. They see this promise; and are persuaded of it, and embrace it. Their faith is not a fancy. They know whom they have believed. A promising God will be a performing God. That the comfort of believers may be full, the good Shepherd says, "I give unto my sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." The apostacy, or falling away of real believers, can only be maintained upon some of the following principles: either that the life God hath promised is not everlasting life, or that everlasting life is only promised to them, as it was to Adam, upon condition of their persevering obedience; or, that they believe a lie, when they embrace eternal life as the gift of God through Jesus Christ; or, finally, that it is not to them according to their faith. Whom dost thou reproach and blaspheme, thou enemy of grace and truth? and against whom dost thou lift up thy voice, in such detestable suppositions? Even against the Holy One of Israel, against the God of truth, who peremptorily says, "Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; they shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end."

PART II.

INTRODUCTION.

In the former part of this Treatise, we have considered, in a more general view, the doctrine of faith; its nature and foundation, its necessity, the distinctions and kinds of it, the author and means of producing it, its precious excellency and various degrees. In this part, we propose to describe its tendency and operation, as it affects the heart and conversation of such as believe on the name of the Son of God. Here a large field presents itself; and the principal difficulty is, to select and illustrate what is most important on this copious subject, without incurring the imputation of being either too tedious or too obscure. I apprehend the objects of greatest consequence will naturally fall in our way, while we attend to the inflence of unfeigned faith upon the character, temper, and general conduct, of the saints; and then examine, more particularly, its office in the life, the walk, the profession, and religious duties, of believers. Having explained these things, the marks or proofs of the faith which is unfeigned, will properly become an object of inquiry, deeply interesting to every professor of religion.

If any reader shall too hastily conclude, that the idea of believing, which has been given and established in the First Part, is speculative and Antinomian, because it is rather more simple than some descriptions of it he has used to consider with veneration, it is to be expected he will find himself entirely relieved on this head, by attending, without prejudice, to what is further offered in this Second Part. Should the Author be happy enough to accomplish his purpose, it will be made very evident, that the faith of the gospel is "most holy," that it "purifies the heart," and engages the soul to abound in "good works." "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."

CHAPTER I.

THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH UPON THE CHARACTER AND GENERAL CONDUCT OF THE SAINTS.

THE children of God, whom he hath called and chosen out of the world, are "a peculiar treasure unto him above all people." If we consider their high calling, their great dignity, their excellent privileges, the services wherein they are employed, and the securities they have for the enjoyment of eternal life, we may justly congratulate them in the words of Moses: "Happy art thou, O Israel! Who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thine excellency!" When they take a view of themselves, they will cheerfully acknowledge, in the language of Paul, that it is only "by the grace of God they are what they are." They neither dare nor choose to make themselves of the number, or compare themselves with some that commend themselves. They cannot glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom they are complete. "By grace

are they saved in the Lord, through faith; and that not of themselves it is the gift of God." When we consider the character and general conduct of the saints, as resulting from the superabounding riches of divine grace, we must also attend to faith in Christ, as the means whereby the Spirit of truth forms their character, and influences their general