that faith which is essential to justification. In principle undoubtedly all true faith is one and the same. It is always trust or belief. But in the object aud operations of faith, there are diversities, which it is useful to under- stand. Justifying faith is that act of the soul by which a man lays hold on Christ, and has peace with God. Its special object is the atonement for sin which Jesus made on the cross. The faith spoken of in the passage now before us is a grace of more general signification, the fruit and companion of justifying faith, but still not to be con- founded with it. It is rather a general confidence in God's power, wisdom, and goodwill towards believers. And its special objects are the promises, the word, and the character of God in Christ.
Confidence in God's power and will to help every be- liever in Christ, and in the truth of every word that God has spoken, is the grand secret of success and prosperity in our religion. In fact, it is the very root of saving Christianity. " By it the elders obtained a good report." " He that cometh unto God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." To know the full worth of it in the sight of God, we should often study the eleventh chapter of the Epis- tle to the Hebrews.
Do we desire to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ ? Do we wish to make progress in our religion, and become strong Christians, and not mere babes in spiritual things ? Then let us pray daily for more faith, and watch our faith with most jealous watchfulness. Here is the corner-stone of our religion. A flaw or weakness here will affect the whole condition
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of our inner man. According to our faith will be the degree of our peace, our hope, our joy, our decision in Christ's service, our boldness in confession, our strength in work, our patience in trial, our resignation in trouble, our sensible comfort in prayer. All, all will hinge on the proportion of our faith. Happy are they who know how to rest their whole weight continually on a covenant God, and to walk by faith, not by sight. " He that believe th shall not make haste." (Isai. xxviii. 16.)
Let us learn, for another thing, from these verses, the absolute necessity of a forgiving spirit towards others. This lesson is here taught us in a striking way. There is no immediate connection between the importance of faith, of which our Lord had just been speaking, and the subject of forgiving injuries. But the connecting link is prayer. First we are told that faith is essential to the success of oar prayers. But then it is added, no prayers can be heard which do not come from a forgiving heart. " When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any, that your Father also which is in heaven. may forgive you your trespasses."
The value of our prayers, we can all understand, de- ponds exceedingly on the state of mind in which we i ffer them. But ihe point before us is one which re- ceives far less attention than it deserves. Our prayers must not only be earnest, fervent, and sincere, and in the name of Christ. They must contain one more ingredient besides. They must come from a forgiving heart. We have no right to look for mercy, if we are not ready to extend mercy to our brethren. We cannot really feel the sinfulness of the sins we ask to have pardoned if we