236 FAITH BUILT ON KNOWLEDGE. [Disc. x: fitted to undertake the:salvation of the guilty, because he hath provided an atonement and complete righteous- ness ; how well furnished to take the charge of bringing sinners to a state of grace and holiness, because he bath. the fulness of the Spirit in him, to communicate to men, in order to renew their natures, and fit them for heaven. I have shewn what a commission he received from the Father, to undertake the great work of the salvation of men ; and thereby as he bath a natural power, so he hath a legal authority to take the charge of souls that are committed to him. O the glorious furniture of thé great Mediator ! O the divine commission that gives se- curity to faith ! How happily are they joined in Jesus the Lord ! and howmuch Both the knowledge of this conduce to a believer's comfort. I have also shewn at large, in the second place, how a christian comes by this knowledge: He has abundant testimony to the truth of all these things from heaven and from earth : -God himself hath given witness from heaven, by miracles, visions, and voices : The apostles, prophets, and martyrs, have filled the earth with their witness; and, by most convincing arguments have proved the all-sufficiency of Christ to save. The believer bath a witness in his own spul, to the power and grace of Christ when he feels holiness wroughtin his heart by the gospel, and divine peace in his conscience, with the fore- tastes of heaven. Now from such a knowledge, derived from scripture and inward .experience, he grows up to a holy courage in believing; he can venture his immortal concerns with ' assurance into the hands of Christ; he is bold; and triumphs in his faith; and can suffer for it without being ashamed. Thus having briefly recalled the doctrinal part, I pro- ceed now to the last thing I proposed ; and that was, to attempt some useful remarks on this subject or dis- course. 1st Remark. Here we may learn the true nature of saving' faith in Christ. It is a committingof the soul into the hands of Christ, from a due knowledge ofhis person, and his power to save. It is true, that my text is not the mere language of -a young and feeble faith, but the
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