blessed Lord, we shall see that the faith, of which he spake, comprehended,
1. A full persuasion of his Messiahship —
[This was necessary then : and it is no less necessary now. And we greatly mistake, if we think this a common attainment amongst those who call themselves Christians. The generality have no better reasons for believing Jesus to be the Messiah, than the Mahomedans have for their faith in that arch-impostor. I mean not however to say, that every Christian must have studied this point so accurately as to be able to answer all the objections of infidels : but, so far as to be able to " give a reason of the hope that is in him," and to justify the reliance which he places on the Saviour, every true believer should have studied the point, and made up his mind upon it. Circumstances, I grant, may have been so unfavourable to the attainment of this knowledge that a person's views may be very indistinct : but, where these have not been such as to preclude a reasonable hope of his acquiring this necessary information, a want of it may well cause him to doubt whether he has ever possessed any true faith at all.]
2. A cordial acceptance of him under that cha- racter—
[A speculative assent to the mere abstract truth of his Messiahship was never such a faith as he approved. Many there were who could not resist the evidence of his miracles, who yet were regarded by him as no better than aliens, in whom he could place no confidence^ To exercise faith aright, we must receive him in all his offices : we must view him as that Prophet, whom God has sent by his word and Spirit to enlighten us : and as that Great High-Priest, who has made atonement for us, and now intercedeth for us within the vail : and as that King also, who is to reign over us, and to have " every thought of our hearts brought into captivity" to his holy will. Here, then, the subject before us opens to our view. Faith is not a speculative assent ; but a practical affiance, that leads us to the Saviour for every thing that we stand in need of, for " wisdom, for righteousness, for sanctification, and for complete redemption." Then only do we truly believe, when we can say with the Apostle Paul, " 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 meg."]
3. An entire devotion to him, as his disciples — [This our Lord expressly required of all his followers :
" If any man will be my Disciple, let him deny himself, and
f John ii. 23—25. s Gal. ii. 20.