" Without faith it is impossible to please God." But Enoch did please God : therefore it is clear that Enoch believed ; and that his works, whatever they were, were the fruits of faith. Now, in confirmation of this momentous truth, I will shew, I. What is that *' faith, without which we cannot please God" —
Let the Apostle himself be heard in the words fol- lowing my text. Three things he points out, as the objects of true and saving faith. It has respect to God,
L As having an independent and immutable existence —
[The believer does not conceive of God as resembling the gods of the heathen, or as having a derived existence; but as existing necessarily from everlasting ; and as immutable in every one of his perfections ; " the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."]
2. As being the Moral Governor of the universe — [This is implied in the regard he manifests to those who
seek him. For, if he vpere not observant of the ways of men, and if he did not inspect the most secret motions of their hearts, he could not " reward" men according to their works.]
3. As fulfilhng, for our good, all his covenant
engagements —
[This is very particularly intended in our text. For how could he " reward" men, if they were not first " accepted in his beloved Son ? " Men are sinners ; and, as sinners, con- demned; and utterly incapable of removing their guilt and condemnation by any thing which they themselves can do. It is through the atonement which Christ has offered for them, that they obtain reconciliation with God ; and through Christ alone can any work of theirs come up with acceptance before God. But the mediation of Christ was agreed upon between the Father and Son from all eternity ; Christ engaging to " make his soul an offering for sin ;" and the Father engaging, for his sake, to accept the person and services of all that should believe in him\ This, therefore, is essential to saving faith: and, in order to "please God," we must unite these three things: a belief in God's eternal and immutable exist- ence ; a belief in him as the Moral Governor of the universe ;
'1 Isai, liii. 10.