All intermediate matters it beholds fulfilled in their season, and is assured, that, of every thing that God has spoken, not one jot or tittle shall ever fall to the ground.]
Of all this it brings a full conviction to the mind, and, as far as it can be desired, a full experience to the soul —
[Faith is " the evidence of things not seen." By " evi- dence" is meant such a proof as silences all ohjections. Of the past, the present, or the future, what could reason declare? Nothing with any certainty. Of the mystery of redemption more especially, it could determine nothing. With our bodily senses we could ascertain nothing. Every thing is apprehended by faith only. Yet is it therefore uncertain? No : it is as clear to the mind of a believer, as if it had been demonstrated to his reason, or subjected to his sight. Having assured himself from reason, that the Scriptures are the word of God, and that the great mystery of redemption, as appre- hended by him, is revealed in them, he has no doubt con- cerning it : his fall in Adam ; his recovery by Christ ; his restoration to the Divine image through the influences of the Holy Spirit; these things appear so worthy of God, and so suitable to man, that no doubt respecting them exists in the mind : and all the objections which pride and ignorance have raised against them are scattered like mists before the rising sun.
But it is not only as true that faith presents these things to the mind, but as good, as desirable, and as promised : and it so apprehends them, as to give them an actual subsistence in the soul : it is " the substance of things hoped for." These things, as far as they are good, and future, are the objects of hope ; and therefore, as we might suppose, unpossessed. But, though future, they are made present by the exercise of faith ; and, though only hoped for, are actually enjoyed. This is a won- derful property of faith. Consolations, victories, triumphs, glory, though remote in ultimate experience, are by anticipa- tion rendered present, so that the first-fruits, the pledge, the earnest, the foretaste are in actual possession ; and whilst the grapes of Eschol assure the soul of the final possession of its inheritance, the views of Pisgah transport it thither, and enable it to realize its most enlarged hopes and expectations.]
From this description of faith we may see, II. Its aspect on the welfare and stability of the soul —
As entering into every part of the divine life, its influence might be pointed out in an almost infinite variety of particulars. But we will content ourselves