nature. There is only one way to escape these difficulties, viz., by adopting the full and proper scriptural doctrine that salvation is conditional.

That this doctrine is scriptural is proved beyond all question by those passages in which the condition is expressed. Such are the following: "He that believeth shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned:"-" Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God:"-" Not every one that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven:"-" He that hath the son nath life, and he that hath not the son, hath not life"-"Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

There is another class of passages, addressed to those who have complied with the terms of salvation so far as to receive and enjoy it, but in which they are reminded that the liability to fail of eternal life still exists; that as salvation is conditional in its reception, it is so, also, in its continuance as faith is required to commence the Christian life, the power of the same faith is indispensable to the maintenance of a virtuous

course, and the cultivation of holiness. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." "Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God." "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

The above passages, specimens of a great multitude not quoted, are sufficient in number and force to settle the point advocated in this chapter, beyond dispute in all honest and unsophisticated minds. Salvation is free for all-possible to all who prize it enough to receive it on gospel terms: but it is not possible to any who despise or disre gard the specified conditions.

Such is the momentous doctrine which true religion impresses on the minds of sinners, and confirms and enforces by the united voice of nature, reason, conscience, and revelation. Every advantage which the sinner needs, and God can consistently give, is graciously furnished: none need be lost-all have ample power to comply with

every gospel condition, and secure to themselves the favor of God, and a title to endless bliss. Awfully hovering in the scale of probation which will raise them to heaven, or sink them to hell, they should not remain indifferent as to the result. By timely repentance and faith, they should make their "election sure." Whether they have done this or not, will, at the time appointed, be determined by the infallible "Judge of all the earth," "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory and honor, and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil:"***"For there is no respect of persons with God."

CHAPTER XI.

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.-NATURE OF FAITH.-EMBRACES KNOWLEDGE. ASSENT AND TRUST.-THE GIFT OF GOD."--FLETCHER.

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THE ONLY CONDITION OF SALVATION.--WESLEY.-STANDS OPPOSED TO HUMAN MERIT, AND TO ALL METHODS OF EXPIATION, EXCEPT THAT BASED ON THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST.—OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. LUTHER.

"True faith and reason are the soul's two eyes;
Faith evermore looks upward, and descries
Objects remote; but reason can discover
Things only near,-sees nothing that's above her."

"Faith builds a bridge across the gulf of death,
To break the shock blind nature cannot shun,
And lands thought smoothly on the other shore."

"Faith lends its realizing light:

The clouds disperse, the shadows fly;

The invisible appears in sight,

QUARLES.

YOUNG.

And God is seen by mortal eye."

C. WESLEY.

In a preceding chapter we saw the necessary relation of true religion to Christ-that to the world in a fallen state, Christianity is the only true religious system. But though Christianity be the only true religion, and Christ the only Saviour, there is yet a question of much importance that

must not remain unsettled, viz. :-how does the sinner become personally interested in Christian salvation?

There are two facts revealed by true religion relative to man, more important than any other: these are, that man, as a sinner, is lost without remedy if he is to depend on his own resources— and that Christ is the only, and a sufficient Saviour. But these facts do not stand so related to each other that salvation to the sinner is a necessary consequence. The sinner may remain los. notwithstanding the freeness and fulness of mercy and grace in Christ Jesus. The sinner is guilty and needs pardon-is depraved and needs renewing-is morally defiled, and needs cleansing-but there is no such natural relation between him and Christ, as provides absolutely and independently for the bestowment of these blessings. These two facts-the sinner's inability, and Christ's powerthe sinner's wretchedness, and Christ's blessed salvation must be brought into contact. The sinner must rely on Christ, and the virtue of Christ must be applied to the sinner. The sinner must be in Christ, and Christ must be in the sinner; the guilt and wretchedness of the one, must depart