182 SALVATION OF MAN BT CHRIST. Faith in its most general sense, nature and design, as it re- fers to JesusChrist, is the application or address of the soul to Christ, or to God by him, under any or all these characters, whereby he and his salvation are set forth in scripture. Now these characters being so very different and various, require dif- ferent manners of address to him, which are represented in scrip- ture, which perhaps may be all included in faith taken in its largest sense, together with those necessary acts ofthe soul Which must accompany, attend, or follow it. Particularly then faith is sometimes representedby believing his gospel; Mark i. 15. Repent and believe the gospel: But here it is tobe supposed, that all the proper and sanctifying effects of this faith must attend it, and itmust not rest in a mere assent. It is à knowledge of Christ; John xvii. 3. This is life eternal, that they might know thee'the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. Is. liii. 11. By his knowledge, or the knowledge of him, shall he justify many: And here I might add, that this qur knowledge requires a correspondent practice, other- wise it will be of no more avail towards salvation, than the knowledge of devils, who believe and tremble ; James ii. 19. It is a believing in Christ, which perhaps ought rather to be rendered trusting in Christ ; Is. xi. 10. compared with Rom. xv. 12. In him shall the Gentiles trust. 2 Tim. i. 12. I know Whom I have believed, or trusted. Eph. i. 12, 13. Who first trusted in Christ, or hoped in him, as in the original. Believing in his name ; John i. 12. To them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to as many as believed on his name. Seeking to him,. Is. xi. 10. To him shall the Gentiles seek. Receiving Christ, John i. 12. To as many as received h.im, Col. ii. 0. As . you have received Christ, so walk in him. Laying hold of Christ; Is. xxvii. 5. Let him take hold of my strength that he may make peace With me. Ileb. vi. 18. Those who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before them. Hearing ofChrist, or hearkening to him ; Luke ix. 35. This is my beloved Son, hear ye him, or hearken unto him. Calling upon Christ, Rom. x. 12, 13. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall he saved. Coming unto Christ, Mat. xi. 28. Conte unto me all ye that labour, &c. John v. 40. Ye will not come unto me that ye may have life. Flying to him for refuge; Beh. vi. 18. as before. Looking unto Christ, or beholding him, Is. xlv. 25. Look unto me all ye ends of the earth and be saved. Is. lxv. 1. l said, behold me, behold me, unto a nation not called by my name. Obeying Christ, Beb. v. 9. He became the author ofeternal salvation to them that obey him. Believing in God through Christ ; I Pets 1. 21. Who by him do believe ire God. Coming to God by Christ; John xiv..6. No man cometh to.the Father but byme.
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