whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."* This appropriating enjoyment cannot always be attained: but although it is not the habitual (neither necessary) experience, it is the authorized privilege, of every true believer. Hence the spirit of faith is also

3. A comforting, and even a rejoicing spirit.

Who can describe the calm and holy peace, the chastened comfort, the heavenly joy of that soul which knows and appropriates the truth as it is in Jesus. Clouds and darkness may indeed gather for a season (if need be) around such a soul. Domestic troubles, loss of friends or property, acute bodily pain or lingering sickness; disappointments, vexations, persecutions

* Psalm lxiii. 1. xxvii. 1. Isai. Ixi. 10. Gal. ii. 20.

for the truth's sake, indwelling and stubborn sins; these and such as these, like so many adverse winds, may assault the heaven-bound vessel, and render this world indeed a sea of troubles: but he, who, in the exercise of the spirit of faith, has the Lord Jesus for a pilot, may smile through every storm. The controller of the elements hath said, "Be not afraid : "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, and in me ye shall have peace. I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you, and your heart shall rejoice and your joy no man taketh from you. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." And St. Peter, who knew himself what it was to be tempest tossed, says to all Christians who are so circumstanced, "Now for a season, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at the

appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls." The spirit of Faith is

4. A praying spirit.

The veil which hid the eternal world being removed, and an holy friendship with God being once established and relished; it becomes the true joy of the soul to cultivate it by repeated communications. Secret intercourse with the father of spirits is the believing soul's meat and drink. In prayer, the living branch of the true vine exerts that spiritual suction, which draws out of Christ's fulness, grace for grace. Standing on the firm foundation of God's promises, and looking up to heaven with eyes filled with hope, the Christian believer stretches forth a beggar's hand, to receive daily, hourly unmerited supplies of strength and wisdom, and holiness: careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, making his requests known unto God. Believing, and praying are inseparable.

It gives a reality of effect to the unseen things of the eternal world, and it worketh by hope, and fear, and love. Has hope its powerful influence upon the human character? the spirit of faith reveals the most sublime objects of hope -the everlasting glories which await the children of God. Has fear also its effect in curbing the passions, and restraining the iniquities of mankind? the spirit of faith reveals the most appalling objects of fear-the everlasting torments prepared for the devil and his angels. And has love its constraining power over the affections and conduct? The spirit of faith reveals the most endearing objects of holy love -a suffering sympathetic Saviour, an affectionate paternal God. If the characters and actions of men, therefore, be controlled; if despondency and presumption and inactivity be counteracted, by the combined influence of hope, fear, and love, (which perhaps few will deny,) then, the interests of true morality can never be so infallibly secured, as by the spirit of faith.

For, my brethren, it is a great mistake, and fraught with much misunderstanding, to suppose, that faith has any one doctrine of revelation for its exclusive object. The warnings. of impending danger, and the exhortations to unwearied obedience, with which the scripture abounds, are as truly objects of faith, as are the sublime declarations of free unqualified for

giveness, or the rich promises of never ending joy. The connexion between faith and duty, we repeat, is as strong, as the connexion between faith and privilege. I would not, however, advocate the system of those, who, depending upon this close connexion, rest satisfied with making this statement; and leave the details of christian practice, without any special enumeration: but the principle itself is sound, and the only scriptural principle on which an holy life can be sustained. Finally, the spirit of Faith is

6. A preserving spirit.

The exercise of faith may be compared to the circulation of the blood. God keeps the body alive not by any external application, but by an inward process continually kept up. When that circulation ceases, the body is benumbed; and except it be restored the body dies. God exercises his power to keep the soul unto salvation, not by any external force, but by the operation of an inward principle, the spirit of faith. When that spirit departs, the soul languishes; and except it be restored the soul dies: but "God restoreth the soul," and the people of God are said to be "kept by his power through faith unto salvation." And thus, by comparing these