but by faith. Confidence in A.n unseen, but ever-present, Divine, almighty Helper, has been the principle of every truly Christi&n life. It bas brought pardon and ~eace to "the heart of the penitent; it has caused mauy "out of weakness to wax strong; ' it has brought light to those in darkness, and leading to those in perplexity, safety to those in danger, comfort to those in sorrow, and hope to those who were ready to perish. "This is the victory which overcoroeth the world, even your faith." Nor is this inex- plicable ; for by faith we lay hold of ihe strength that is irresistible and invinoiblo, nnd. the might of the believer is not his own, but God's. , Ver. 21.-Promise a11d performam:e. How condescendingly and graciously does our he-avenly Father deign t-0 c-0mmunicate with his children I What proofs does he give of his interest in us, bis sympathy with us! No better ill11Stration of this crm be fonnd than in the promises of the holy Word. Stooping, as it were, to our level, God addresses to us not merely precepts to direct our conduct, but promises to sustain our couriige and to animate our hope. Exceeding great and precious are the Divine promises uttered and fulfilled for the benefit of the spiritual family dependent upon the bounty,' forbearance, and tender mercy of the Most High. I. Drvn."E PROMISES. The promise given to Abraham was of a special character, but both in itself, and in the way in which it was received and acted upon, it is peculiarly instructive t-0 us as Christians. 1. The <Jiver of the promises upon which wo, as believers in God's Word, are called upon to rely, is the Being whose infinite resources, omniscient acquaintance with his people's needs, and unfailing fidelity, place all his assurances apart from and altogether above those of others. 2. The matter of the Dinne promises deserves our special attention; they have regard rather to spiritual than t-0 temporal good, and whilst varied in their character, they are singularly adapted to the oondition and necessities of men. 3. 'l'hereceiversofthese promises are creatures dependent altogether upon the Divine favour, with no resources of their own, arid no hope save that which is based upon the faithfulness of God. 4. 'l'he purpose of 'the Dfrine promises is to remove natural fear and depression concerning the future, and in place thereof to instil a calm oonfidence, a bright and peaceful hope. If men were left to their own forecastings of the future, gloomy forebodings would often take possession of their souls ; the promises of God are fitted to reassure and reanimate the downcast and cheerless.. - II. Drvn.E PEBFORH.ANCE. 1. This is assured and certain. We read of God that "he cannot lie." Abraham's confidence was justified, when he was -., fully assure!! that, what God bad promised, he was able also to perform." 2. H is complete, satis~ factory, and effectual. Abraham was removed from earth before the appointed time arrived for the fulfilment of the promises made to him and to his seed. Yet he for~ saw with the clear vision of faith what in due season came to pass. His descendant~ received and poSBessed "the land of promise." It is so with all the performances of Eternal Wisdom and Compassion. Not one word that God has spoken shall fail; his promises are "all Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus." 3. God's performance of his plighted word of assunmce is such as to justify his people's unhesitating confidence. How can we question either his ability or his willingness? "The voice that rolls the stam along Spake all the promises."
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-25.-.Abraham', faith. We have already seen how the apostle hll.B pre• pared the way for the great doctrine of justification by foith. He showed in the first two ch&ptera that man has no righteousness of his own, that he could not justify him- self, but, on the contrary, that both Jew and Gentile are all under sin. "Thote is no difference: for all have sioned, and come short of the glory of God." Now, In thla fourth chapter, he shows that thi.a great fact-the necessity for justification by' faith-has already been rec<ignized by Abraham and David. He 111 writing to Jews, and he takes the case of two me!! of God with, whoae lives they were familiar, and whom they held in hip;h rfll!pcct. He shows that neither Abraham nor David rested in his own rig~tc,oti~~ oH, IV, 1-25,] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 115