they entertained high thoughts of his character ; but from a personal acquaintance with him they were convinced that he was the Saviour of the world. This is the account which they themselves gave of their own experience : and from it we shall take occasion to,
I. Distinguish between the kinds of faith here men- tioned—
We ought to seek clear views of religion in gene- ral, but especially of its fundamental points. Now there is no subject more important, nor any about which more mistaken notions are entertained, than the nature of saving faith. But the distinction is here drawn for us with great accuracy.
The faith which the Samaritans first exercised was founded on mere report —
[The woman had testified to them that Jesus had told her all the secrets of her heart, even such as could be known only to the Most High God : and had appealed to them whe- ther this was not a convincing evidence that he was the long- expected Messiah. Her argument was plain and conclusive : and, as she had no motive for deceiving them, they believed her report of him, and acknowledged the justness of her conclusion.
We do not mean to disparage this kind of faith : it was good as far as it went; and it was productive of solid benefit to the persons who possessed it, inasmuch as it removed all their pre- judices, and disposed them to form a more accurate judgment for themselves. But still we cannot regard this faith in any other light than as a speculative assent, grounded upon human testimony. It seems to have been not unlike to that which is so common amongst ourselves, which arises from a view of the evidences of our religion. We see that all the ancient types and prophecies were fulfilled in Christ, and that most unques- tionable miracles were wrought by him and his Apostles in confirmation of his word ; and therefore we say that he is, and must be, the Messiah. Yet those who are most versed in this kind of reasoning, are not always suitably affected with it : their knowledge of Christianity is, in many cases, merely spe- culative, residing in their heads, but never descending into their hearts, nor influencing their lives. We cannot therefore consider this as a saving faith : being unproductive of good works, it is dead; and, if carried no further, will leave the