of Christian light, than the ordinary privileges of all who believe in that light. We look upon the apostles as so far raised on the elevations of faith, that they who are toiling through the rounds of ordinary life, have no more in common with their blessings, as private Christians, than we can have in conformity with the distinguished virtues of their public achievements. But they, like us, had personally to work out their salvation with fear and trembling; and by the same grace in which they were victorious, we may "fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life," whereunto we are also called. But instances of happy experience do occur in our days, which prove that Christianity, in its practical power, and elevating hopes, and triumphs of faith, is, like its Author, "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." Some of us have recently witnessed this in "the privileged chamber" of a young stranger; and from the wish that none of us should remain "strangers from the covenant of promise, having no such hope" as that which proved "an anchor to his soul," I pro

pose this morning to make such a reference to his case, as will illustrate the statements of the text. We are led, then, to consider, THE PRINCIPLE UNDER

CHRISTIAN LIVES, and

WHICH

THE

THE PERSUASION UNDER WHICH HE

DIES.

I. THE PRINCIPLE UNDER WHICH THE CHRISTIAN LIVES. "We walk by faith, not by sight."

Where there is no personal knowledge of facts, a conviction of their truth can only be received through a testimony which we have no ground to question. And when the fulfilments of promise are the "things hoped for," and the good to be realized is among the "things not seen," there must be such evidence of their reality, as can support our most ardent anticipations, and such a demonstration of their positive existence, as yields all the peace of unruffled persuasion. thus lays in the mind a firm basis "of things hoped for," and is a conviction of the reality "of things not seen;" because the evidence on which it is founded is as consistent, as

Faith

clear, as full, and connected for the historical statements, and consequently for all the promises of our religion, as for any facts which we are induced to credit on the unequivocal and unquestioned testimony of history.

But from an admission of the historical evidence of the truth of Christianity, that belief which is 'unto righteousness,' is such a concurring assent of the heart, as, in its lowest exercise, brings to the breast a full conviction. of our sinfulness, guilt, condemnation, and consequent danger. And then, in its higher and justifying operation, it applies to the heart all the peace, the grateful sense of obligation, and sanctifying influence of the persuasion, that "we have redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." And thus, "being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

At this stage of faith, the enmity of the carnal mind is effectually broken; love to

God, as a reconciled Father, is fully awakened; and all the confidence of a grateful and obedient heart is brought into free and delightful operation. And now, faith becomes that habitual act of the mind by which we associate the presence of God with each event of our lives, and constantly recognise our relationship to the invisible and eternal world.

In thus "walking by faith, not by sight," 1. We associate the presence of God with each event of our lives.

When assaulted by the cavils of infidelity, or assailed by the silent insinuations of engendered unbelief, there is sure ground amid the floods, to which the tempted can flythe truth of God's word, confirmed by the experience of past mercies. Here the believer takes his stand: and in the review of events, which the most fortuitous concurrence of circumstances could never have brought so fully to meet his wishes, without the direct interposition of Providence; in the recollection of dangers, out of which no hand but that of God could have delivered him, and of temptations from which nothing but the same

power could have wrought his rescue; yea, and in the strength which has been felt in the hour of need, in the way which has been opened through the waters, and in the support which has been experienced in the fire, -in successive mercies which he can, in many cases, as clearly and as safely recognise to be the answers of prayer, as he knows that the grain which he gathers is the fruit of seed which he has sown ;-in this appeal to the past, the Christian has such a conviction of God's loving-kindness, and of his actual, individual, and direct care over them, who "cast their care on him," as no sophistry can shake, no insinuation undermine, no threatening storm effectually darken. And he rises from the review with this happy confidence, "I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." Faith thus derives such a seal and confirmation from the past, as to be able to say even in the darkest view of the future, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."