Observe the vein of Scripture, when speaking on this subject; and a very little becoming attention will serve to convince you, that all the leading Faculties, and Passions, of the human Soul, are involved, as it were, in this evangelical Grace, and actuated by it, when once it is implanted in the Heart. And, that you may perceive how intimately it is connected with our first Assertion, [Salvation is by Grace,]

ceding ideas. I glory in this Object, and in the great Work of Redemption consummated by Him, who bowed his sacred head upon The Cross, because, I fly to it-I trust in it-I depend upon it-and I cleave to it with delightful Adherence-for my entire Salvation. The Authority for so high a degree of cordial Exultation must be sought for in the inspired Oracles.

"Hear the just Law, the judgment of the Skies! "He, that hates Truth, shall be the Dupe of lies. "And he, that will be cheated to the last, "Delusions, strong as hell, shall hold him fast. "But, if the wand'rer his mistake discern"Judge his own ways, and sigh for a return"Bewilder'd once, must he bewail his loss "For ever and for ever? No-THE CROSS: "There, and there only, though the Deist rave, "There, and there only, is, the Pow'r to save." COWPER.

M

I need only annex these few remarks: which, for the greater simplicity, shall be offered in a way of Question, and Answer.

What is that, which Faith principally cyes, as to the great concern of Salvation, in the person of the Father? It is the Grace of God, as the eternal Fountain, Source, and Original, of that Salvation.-What, in the person of the Son? It is, "the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ-who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor; that we, through his poverty, might be rich;" rich, in "Wisdom, in Righteousness, in Sanctification, in Redemption:" for," it hath pleased the Father, that in Him should all Fullness dwell that, according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

What is it, again, upon which the eye of Faith is principally fixed, in the person of the eternal Spirit, which procecdeth from the Father, and the Son-and without whose secret, efficacious Influence, we

must be for ever" alienated from the life of God?" It is, upon the Grace of the holy Ghost.

Enough, then, I presume, has been submitted, to shew those, who, laying aside every corrupt and wilful prepossession, are disposed to learn what is the scriptural nature, and most distinguishing peculiarity, of that Faith, which whosoever hath shall infallibly be saved; and, destitute of which, there can be no deliverance from the wrath to come *.

* Let the nature and genius of this Faith be fully understood, as it is every where delineated in the inspired pages, and it will be seen, that it may be possessed by those, who have never read any learned Essays, either upon the external and internal Evidences of the christian Religion, or, upon what has been called, its Reasonableness.

Upon this conviction the great Pascal was led to say, "Never think it strange, that illiterate persons should believe without reasoning. God inspires them with the love of justice, and with the hatred of themselves. 'Tis he, that inclines their Hearts to believe. No man ever believes with a true and saving Faith, unless God inclines his heart: and no man, when God inclines his heart, can

In this fastidious Age of reason, philosophism, levity, and excessive refinement, it may be thought a superfluous tautology; but, Truth and Salvation are not to be sacrificed either to the philosophical niceties, the classic elegance, or the learned follies, of this world, when they erect their impi

refrain from thus believing. Inclina cor meum, Deus, in

testimonia tua.

"That some men believe, without having examined the proofs of Religion, is, because they enjoy a Temper, a Frame of mind, altogether pious; and because, what they hear affirmed by our Religion is agreeable to that Temper. Those, whom we see commencing real Christians, without the knowledge of prophecies, or the like evidences, do yet judge of their Religion, no less than the Masters of that knowledge. They judge of it, by the Heart as others judge, by the Understanding. God inclines their heart to Faith: and his Grace is the most effectual conviction."

I certainly should not have ventured to introduce so unphilosophical a sentiment in this place, but that I flatter myself the name of Pascal will be sufficient to shield me from the ridicule, insult, and contempt, of the most abandoned Infidelity, as well as from the scoffs of reasoning Pride and, between these, where Truth is the object of attack, the line of partition is scarcely discernible. The Pharisees were, of the two parties, more inimical to the Son of God than the Sadducees!

ous crest in opposition to "The Oracles of God." I shall repel their insolence with the disdain, they provoke, and go forward with my design to impress, what I conceive to be,

SECTION V.

The real Instrumentality of Faith in our Salvation.

For, though much has been already adduced, which has indirectly elucidated this interesting matter, there is, in some, such a slowness in comprehending, and, in others, such a rooted, not to say, unconquerable aversion from the imperious dictates of heavenly Wisdom, that, both repetition, and detail, are, in many cases, absolutely requisite, to convey the most important instruction*.

• The writer has had great opportunities of remarking this, among almost every rank and description of persons: among whom, he has met with the most astonishing proofs, that, whatever literary advantages we may enjoy, so long as we are destitute of the special Grace of heaven, it must still be said, i Cor. ii. 14. Avdgwπos Luxinos opponitur regenerato. He has heard men of superior talents,