and brethren, what shall we do?" were directed to repent. This was their indispensable duty, and an important and necessary condition of their salvation. But the three thousand converts were evidently brought to repentance, by the power of the Holy Ghost. That day was memorable, on account of the work of the Lord, and not on account of any thing effected by human agency. If so, then repentance and conversion are the gift of God. This point is further established, by what is said concerning the success of the gospel at the house of Cornelius. When Peter had distinctly rehearsed this matter to the christian brethren at Jerusalem, they glorified God, saying, "Then hath God also to the gentiles granted repentance unto life." Repentance, it appears, is a heavenly gift, a rich grant from the Father of mercies.

In the prophecy of Jeremiah, we have a plain testimony of divine agency, in producing genuine repentance, and a saving conversion to God. "Turn thou me, and I shall be turned, for thou art the Lord my God. Surely, after that I was turned, I repented, and after that I was instructed," or spiritually taught, "I smote upon my thigh;" a token of contrition. Ezekiel also bears the same testimony. "A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh : and I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good; and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities, and for your abominations. Repentance is, invariably, the free act of the humble and contrite heart; and yet it is, invariably, the effect of divine influence on the heart. This matter is set in the clearest and most conspicuous light, in Paul's noted charge to Timothy. The doctrines of

divine and human agency are, in a manner, blended together in these words; "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God, peradventure, will give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." Thus evident it is from the scriptures, that although God gives repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth, by his own

infinite power; yet the subjects of it are never deprived of free agency, for a single moment; but, in an important sense, they do, by their active penitence, recover themselves from the slavery of sin and satan. This is agree

able to our own observation. We are sometimes witnesses of the power of the Holy Spirit, in the conversion of sinners and, at the same time, witnesses of the voluntary agency of the converts, in their penitence, and holy conversation.

3. We remark, that repentance does not imply a sorrow for sin, considered merely as an event of Providence, which will be overruled for the general good. On this ground, Joseph administered comfort, rather than rebuke to his wicked and cruel brethren. "Now, therefore, be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life." "As for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good." You acted a criminal part; but the event brought about by your conduct, was as important as the existence of the church. The same may be said respecting all the sin in the universe. In itself considered, it is an awful and inexcusable evil; but as an event, which is necessary for the richest display of the glory of God, in the great work of redemption; and for the greatest final good and happiness of the intelligent system; it is not to be considered as a subject of regret. Thus it appears, that evangelical repentance, or godly sorrow for sin, does not imply a sorrow that God has suffered sin to take place in the universe. Such a sorrow as this, would be reproachful to the ever blessed God.

4. Scarcely any other christian virtue is so visible in its fruits, as genuine repentance. Hence we see the pertinency of the exhortation, "Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance." It produces so great a change of views, of sentiments, of conduct and conversation, that the fruits must be visible to every candid observer. Instead of self-justification, which is so congenial to the natural heart, the language of the true penitent is, "Behold, I am vile !" "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." The truly penitent distinguish themselves from the world, by refraining from all vain company, all filthy conversation, all lying and slander, all profanity, rioting and lewdness; all railing and strife; all

oppression, injustice and knavery. By the truly penitent, the sabbath is "called a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable." It is remembered and sanctified. The worship of God, social and secret, family worship in particular, is constantly, and delightfully observed. The ordinances of Christ are devoutly celebrated. The true penitent is also humble, solemn, circumspect; always ready to confess his faults, always disposed to esteem others better than himself, more worthy of honour-and he "seeks not the honour that cometh from men, but that which cometh from God only." He is sober, chaste, temperate in all things. By these precious fruits of repentance, the subjects of this grace are easily distinguished from the impenitent and the ungodly. "By their fruits ye shall know them."

In the discussion of the doctrine of repentance, we see how widely different it is from that compunction, and horror of conscience, which drove Judas Iscariot, and which has driven thousands of wretched mortals to despair and suicide. We see how widely it differs from the sorrow of the world, that worketh death. True repent. ance and conversion, beget no gloominess and horror of mind, no painful sensations, except such as are conducive to godliness. It is a chosen and pleasing exercise of the renewed heart. The valley of humiliation is a pleasant valley. Conscious of a broken and contrite heart, the true penitent draws sensibly near to God, and offers such sacrifices, as he will not despise. In his own view, he sinks to nothing; that God may be all in all. His chiefTM object, for time and eternity, is to glorify God, and to see his glory. He accounts it a privilege to be humble, and to abhor his selfish heart; and he cherishes these views and exercises, as the only preparation for the inheritance of the glories of the heavenly state.

ESSAY XIX.

The Christian Faith.

HAVING discussed the doctrine of repentance, it is in systematic order, to attend, in the next place, to the doc

trine of the christian faith. For these two ingredients constitute all the essentials of the christian character.

The primary and literal meaning of the word, faith, is believing. To believe what a man testifies, is to have faith in his testimony. To believe in what God testifies, is to have faith in God. Faith has respect to things which cannot be absolutely known; but which depend for their proof on certain testimony. Where absolute knowledge ends, there faith begins. And faith is a proper and necessary substitute for knowledge. In matters which exceed the knowledge and comprehension of men, we have to confide in God, who gives ample proof of whatever he declares. But this is not the whole that belongs to the definition of christian faith; for all that is implied in this belief of the divine testimony, is nothing more than a speculative faith, which the devils, as well as men, may possess. But in the christian faith, much more is implied, than a simple concession and a cold assent to the divine testimonies. Sinners may believe, speculatively, in all the testimonies of God, being rationally convinced of their truth. They may believe, and even contend for the truth, respecting the character and government of the Most High; and respecting the perfections of that law, by which they stand condemned to utter and eternal destruction. They may indeed believe in all the doctrines, precepts and institutions of the gospel, with a heart bitterly opposed to all the articles of their speculative faith. This faith, however clear and strong it may be, is far from being the christian faith; for the christian faith, is a "faith which works by love." Holy love is the source and fountain, from whence proceed all the christian virtues, and all christian conduct. Repentance, and humility of heart, as well as the christian faith, work by love. Hope, and confidence in Christ work by love. When the heart is renewed, by regenerating grace, every christianexercise flows spontaneously from it, as streams from a copious fountain. Repentance takes the lead, and faith, hope, and joy in God, follow in close succession. All the fruits of the Spirit are, by the Apostle, resolved into one head or fountain. "The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE." Thence follow the whole concatenation of virtues, "joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Among the rest we find, that

faith holds a conspicuous rank: "Faith which works by love."

From these general remarks on the christian faith, we may now proceed to a more strict definition. In the holy scriptures, we find many things recorded, which serve to explain this doctrine. The most correct definition, Heb. xi. is in these words; "Now' faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The objects of evangelical faith are always invisible, during the present life. They are things, concerning which we can have no knowledge, except so far as we are informed by divine revelation. But, by faith in God's testimonies, we realize unseen objects almost as clearly as we do the objects of sight. Especially is this the case, since the objects proposed are such as meet the wishes and desires of our hearts. Things hoped for are easily believed; and things both hoped for and believed, are in a high degree realized. Things which we neither hope for, desire, nor expect; scarcely have an existence in our minds. They are void of any reality, in our daily meditations. But how strongly, and interestedly do we anticipate the darling objects of our belief, and our hope!

but

Not only is faith the substance of things hoped for; it is the evidence of things not seen. So cordially does it embrace the great system of divine truth, and the things relating to Christ's kingdom, that a little evidence is sufficient for their confirmation. If a man greatly delights in the doctrines, laws and testimonies contained in the holy scriptures, he feels no want of evidence for their support. In the exercise of true faith, the law of the Lord appears to be perfect; and the plan of infinite wisdom and grace, by which the law is vindicated, and sinners saved, appears to be most glorious. The true believer, feels no need of any greater evidence than he has already, of the truth of the christian system. He embraces it readily, because his heart is in it. Thus it appears, that, "With the heart, man believeth unto righteousness."

Of the things which have been stated, this is a summary: That the true christian faith is a cordial belief and approbation of the whole system of revealed truth, as it is recorded and testified in the holy scriptures: And especially, a most cordial belief and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the plan of redemption, by his atoning blood. For, of all the mysteries revealed in the