evident as the mind is made acquainted with the vast extent of Divine truth; for when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. The best informed teachers, the most accomplished scholars in Divine revelation, are but in a state of infancy in knowledge, while they are in this world.

The apostle says, When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. If we compare the ideas of children and men, or our own ideas when we were children with what they have been in a state of maturity, we see that there is a vast difference between them; and similar, it may be conceived, will be the difference between what believers in Christ know on earth, in comparison with what they will be made acquainted with hereafter. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Now we are obliged to form our ideas of heavenly things by what we know of earthly things; like persons who looked at themselves in brazen mirrors, which gave but an imperfect representation of the object. But when the believer in Christ is admitted into heaven, then he will see things as they are in reality, and not through an obscure medium. Now we can take only a partial view of things, with which we cannot, from their na

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Without this there can be no salaDIO. most belere in the Lord Jesus Christ, in order to be saved, for there is no alitetsta in any other; there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be stred." We must put our trust in Him as the Saviour of sinners, for the salvation of our own souls. We must confess our sins before God, and impiore pardon for Christ's sake, because He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed, believing that in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, This faith, which embraces the Lord

90 Acts xvi. 31; iv. 12. 91 Isa. liii. 5.

92 Eph. i. 7.

Jesus Christ, and appropriates His merits to the soul, is called the faith of the operation of God.93 The Spirit of God brings home a conviction of sin to the conscience of the sinner, shows him its evil and desert, and at the same time makes known to him the infinite efficacy of the Redeemer's merit to remove the guilt of sin; so that for His sake, those who believe in Him are freely forgiven all their trespasses,93 and their sins and their iniquities shall be remembered no more. Faith gives credit to the word of God and acts upon it. The Spirit of God enables the believer to do this. We are therefore to pray to Him for this blessing, that our faith may not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. The faith here spoken of is not that of the mind and understanding only, but that of the heart; for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.95 It is therefore called, receiving the love of the truth.96

The plan of salvation proposed in the word of God may be understood in theory, while the heart is not brought under its sacred influence.Where a true and living faith is, it purifieth the heart, and works by love. There is a faith which is attained by the power of human reason, in which it is to be feared many rest; a faith which adopts Christianity as its creed, because it is the religion of the country or the community to which

93 Col. ii. 12, 13. 94 1 Cor. ii. 5. 95 Rom. x. 10. 96 2 Thess. ii. 10.

its possessor belongs; but which does not lead the heart to God, or produce love to Him, and a desire to live to His glory. There may be regularity of conduct in those who have this dead faith, but it arises from education or habit, or the desire of appearing respectable in society. In many cases it is the interest of the deceiver of mankind to have such persons held up as examples of good conduct. They are thus led to trust in their ownselves, and remain insensible that they need the salvation of Christ. It becomes those who partake of a living faith in Christ to be watchful over their own conduct; but at the same time it is essential that our hearts be given up to God, to love Him above all things, that our faith may be pleasing to God, as well as profitable unto men. A living faith produces,

Secondly, Hope towards God. Now abideth hope. The hope of the believer in Christ is directed beyond this present life to things unseen and eternal. It is therefore said that Christ is in His believing people the hope of glory." They hope to receive what God has promised to bestow, and they wait for it in faith and patience. In consequence of having this hope, they seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God; they set their affection on things above, not on things on the earth, having

97 Colossians i. 27; iii. 1, 2, 4.

an expectation that when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall they also appear with Him in glory. This hope sustains them under all the troubles and afflictions of this life. It is called an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, which entereth into that within the veil, whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, our High Priest98 and Intercessor before the throne of God. Those therefore who have this hope, look not at the things which are seen and temporal, but at the things which are not seen, which are eternal ;99 reckoning that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in1 the children of God hereafter. This Christian hope maketh not ashamed.1 They who, believing in Christ, hope for these good things to come, shall not be disappointed of their hope. When they have done with all things here below, their faith will be lost in sight, and their hope in enjoyment. It will be realized in their eternal blessedness. It is called by St. Peter, a lively hope; and is said to relate to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven, or to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. How animating is this hope! They who possess it may well be rejoicing in hope, and wait all the days of their appointed time till their change come ;*

3

98 Heb. vi. 19, 20. 99 2 Cor. iv. 18. 1 Rom. viii. 18; v. 5.

2