statement given of it in the Scriptures ; but it is the Christian alone that justly apprehends it. The light of others, like that of the moon, is inoperative, uninfluential : but the Christian's hght is like that of the sun : it diffuses a genial warmth through the soul, and causes every grace to flourish and abound. Were it sufficient to say, " I believe, " all who repeat the Creed would be believers; and there would be no room for that question of our Lord, " When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith upon the earth?" But to exer- cise a living faith is a very distinct thing : this is peculiar to the true Christian: he knows and believes the love which God has exercised towards us: he " believes it" as the foundation
of all his hopes he " knows it" as the source of all
his joys ]
But that we may not deceive ourselves, we pro- ceed to shew,
II. How we mav know whether that character be formed in us — If a man know and believe that any thing of a very interesting nature, whether good or evil, has befallen him, he cannot fail of being, in some measure at least, suitably affected with it. Now, if we have known and believed the love that God hath to us, we must of necessity have been filled,
1. With wonder and admiration —
[This subject has excited universal wonder through all the hosts of heaven : how then can it fail to astonish us, if we truly know it and believe it ? Did the apostle John express such wonder at our adoj>tion into God's family, as to say, " Behold, what manner of love is this wherewith the Father hath loved us !" Was St. Paul so overwhelmed with astonish- ment at the idea of the Gentiles being admitted into the Church as to exclaim, " O the depths!" and shall not we be amazed at a miracle of mercy that is infinitely more stupen- dous, that has a depth and length and breadth and height that surpass the conception of men or angels? What are all other gifts in comparison of the gift of his only dear Son. "Hav- ing not spared hhn, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Know then, that, if ye have never been lost in wonder at this " unspeak- able gift," and at the unsearchable riches of grace and love contained in it ; yea, if this be not in a measure your daily experience, you have never yet attained the Christian cha- racter : whatever you may have professed, or however you may have lived, you have yet to learn the first great lesson in the School of Christ.]