of age, hear his wonderful questions; see him advancing in knowledge, growing in favour with God and man. As a learner, see him attending all the rites and ordinances of his church, seeking baptism, and fulfilling all righteousness. As a teacher, he speaks as never man spake. The sturdy unbeliever listens, his mind is enlightened, his heart is softened, his marble eye weeps, his limbs tremble, and he becomes a new man. He blesses Jesus as his faithful minister, comforter, and Saviour. His doctrine drops as the rain, the people are awakened, sanctified, and prepared for glory.

See him, going from one hospitable door to another. He eats and drinks with those who receive him with open arms. But while he receives the bounty of his friends, his silent prayers ascend to heaven for their prosperity, for their comfort, and for their salvation. While he receives the tokens of their respect, he heals their sick, he instructs their families, he saves their souls. He goes about doing good. When the ear heard him, then it blessed him; when the eye saw him, then it gave witness to him. He delivered the poor, who cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him, and he caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. He was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. He pardoned the trembling penitent, he comforted the weeping mourners, he raised the dead. When he was reviled and abused, he returned not railing for railing; he blessed those who cursed him, he prayed for his murderers. He

died for us, while we were yet enemies, to save us from the wrath of God, to save us from hell. Hosanna to this Son of David! O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. Let every thing, which hath breath, praise the Lord. Bless the Lord, oh my soul. Praise

ye the Lord.

SERMON VI.

HEBREWS xi, 33.

Who through Faith subdued kingdoms.

THE mysterious power of God is manifest in producing sublime effects by inadequate causes; stupendous events by trivial means. Moses lifts his rod, and the Red sea is divided. Joshua says, “Sun, stand thou still;" and the planets stop in their course. A little clay opens the eyes of a blind man, and the faith of a mother expels a demon from her daughter.

The faith of feeble mortals is an efficacious engine of God, in governing the world. The faith of David puts to flight the armies of Philistia. The faith of Noah preserves the wreck of the human race, again to cover the earth with the dwellings of joy. The faith of Abraham produces a race of believers, to the end of the world. Faith subdues kingdoms, stops the mouths of lions, quenches the violence of fire. If eminent advantages do result from faith, the fact should be proclaimed for the encouragement of believers, for the conviction of unbelievers. It is, therefore, the religious duty of Christians not only to

believe, or exercise faith, but to learn its benefits. In gospel faith, God proposes a benefit as well as a duty. Those, therefore, who stop at the duty, without a distinct view of the blessings, rob themselves of immense privileges and consolations. Excepting some general convictions that faith will save the soul, its blessings are, I think, little known or examined. If there be other blessings besides salvation, it is important, according to the value of those blessings, that they be distinctly ascertained. A person may possess the richest gems and jewels; but not knowing their value, they may be useless to him. The richest cordials may produce no benefit when the physician is unacquainted with their effects. The quadrant, and telescope, and compass, so essential in astronomy and navigation, are, in the hands of ignorance, merely so much wood and glass, brass and iron. So a person may be a believer, but not knowing all the advantages of faith, he may lose vast comforts and blessings.

I proceed to mention a few advantages of faith, after explaining what faith is. "Faith is a cordial belief of the divine oracles;" or according to the perfect definition of the apostle, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." Faith brings near those things which are far off, and gives the substance, gives the enjoyment of the object, before it is possessed. Faith is itself evidence of the fact. Faith that we shall enjoy a blessing, is proof of its being on the way. The words translated "evidence of things not seen," according to many learned men, is "a strict proof or demonstration." Faith is a strict proof, or demonstration,

a certainty, that the thing will take place. Faith in God that an event will take place, is a demonstration that it will take place, and emboldens the believer to act accordingly. Jonathan believed in God, that he and his armour bearer should take a whole garrison. He proceeded to act according to that faith. The result justified the faith. Because Antinomians and enthusiasts have been fools, and fired their minds with false raptures and visions of glory, we must not rob ourselves of hopes and joys which rest on the promises of God.

The objects of faith are extensive and general. A man may believe, not only to the saving of his soul; but he may have equal faith that God will grant him numerous other favours. Like the men going into the furnace of Nebuchadnezzar, he may believe that God will deliver him from his fiery trials. Like Jacob he may believe that God will prosper his journey through life, and spread his table with plenty. But we hasten to mention some of the privileges and blessings of faith.

I. We hardly need mention that the man of faith believes to the saving of his soul.

Notwithstanding his unworthiness and his crimson guilt, since the Redeemer has come, since atonement has been made, the believer trusts in God for pardon and eternal life. Looking back to his guilty life, he believes that Jesus Christ has borne his sins in his own body, and that by his stripes he is healed. He looks forward to the dark valley, and the shadow of death, and believes that God will support and save him. He believes that he shall be admitted to mount