John xvi. 31. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
THE meekness and gentleness of Christ were ma- nifested on all occasions. Even his reproofs were tempered with inexpressible kindness, and fully justi- fied the description given of him by the prophet, " He shall not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax." He had been speaking plainly about his departure from the world : and his Disciples, understanding him somewhat better than before, were now confident that they believed in him. But he, knowing the very low state of their attainments, mildly reproved their mistaken confidence, and warned them of the sad discovery which they would shortly make of their unbelief. The mode in which our Lord put the question to them was very significant. To mark its true import, I will bring it before you,
I. In a way of explanation —
If we consider the question in connexion with the foregoing and following context, it will be found to contain several important truths :
1. That many think they believe, when they are wholly destitute of faith —
[The nature of faith is very little understood. It is gene- rally supposed to be a mere assent to the Gospel as true ; whereas it is a living operative principle, infused into the soul by the Holy Ghosta. From these mistaken views of faith, every one of course conceives himself to be a believer. The worldling, the self-righteous Pharisee, the sensualist, yea all, except avowed infidels, lay claim to this appellation ; and, while they acknowledge themselves to need correction with respect to morals, have no idea at all that they need instruc- tion with respect to their faith This self-deception
universally obtained among the unconverted Jews, who " trusted in Moses," not doubting but that they believed his writings, though they shewed by their rejection of Christ, that they did not believe them1': and too much of the same spirit
» Phil. i. 29. b John v. 45 — 47.