present age. But if I am not greatly mistaken, | amounts to about 30,000, but in the conclusion you have not put forth one argument in this field of controversy which will not apply in all their pointed denunciations against Baptist associa

tions.

I hope this subject will receive a full investigation, and I should be gratified to see any remarks calculated to bring christians to a just

conclusion.

"A LOVER OF TRUTH."

they state "the whole congregation" as amounting to 42,260. Take notice that both Ezra, chapter ii. verse 2, and Nehemiah, chapter vii. verse 7, emphatically distinguish the men of the people of Israel as given in the detail-but besides the men, in the conclusion they give the aggregate of all who accompanied them.

Answer to Query 4.-If you will examine these passages again, you will not find any difference. Luke says in the new version, at day break, and in the common version, "very early in the morning." John says in the common version, "when it was yet dark." The same is said in the new version. "At the break of day" it is yet dark in Judea, and perhaps it is so in other countries. Matthew has it "at the dawn of day." Mark says, "early in the morning about sunrise."— But in respect to the last reference he seems to have respect to what happened about sunrise.— And therefore some point it thus-"Early in the morning they came to the sepulchre." And about sunrise, and just as they were saying to one another "Who, &c.-upon looking up they see the stone removed."

Scripture Contradictions from various Sources. OLDHAM COUNTY, KY. I HAVE for a long time believed that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, and just in proportion to the strength of the evidence, so is the faith. I firmly believe the christian religion to be true; but at the same ime, I am not prepared to say that I understand all that is written. In reading the old and new scriptures, I find some difficulties that my limited reading does not enable me to reconcile, and the authors consulted have failed to give satisfaction. Will you therefore favor the public with an answer to a few queries, for more than myself are interested. 1st. Who is the author or writer of the five books of Moses? 2nd. What "AND the children of Levi did according to authority have we for believing that those five the word of Moses, and there fell of the people books were written by inspiration? 3d. If they that day, about three thousand men." Exo. xxxii. are not the words of the Spirit under what obli- 28. "Neither let us commit fornication as some gation are we to believe every thing true that is of them committed, and fell in one day three and written? and if they were written from the dic-twenty thousand." 1 Cor. x. 8. tion of the Spirit of God, how does it turn out that Ezra, in giving the total number of the children of Israel which had returned from Babylon, which, according to his statement, is forty two thousand three hundred and sixty, when in fact it is but twenty nine thousand eight hundred and eighteen persons? The same mistake is made by Nehemiah, chap. vii. verse 8. Answer. If instead of bringing Exodus xxxii. 4th. The four Evangelists in giving the His-28, into comparison with 1 Corinthians x. 8, you tory of the Resurrection of Christ, differ in the

statement.

JOHN, xx. 1.

LUKE, XXIV. 1. And very early in the The first day of the morning, the first day of week comes Mary Magthe week, they came to dalene early, when it the sepulchre, at the ris- was yet dark, to the seping of the sun.* ulchre and sees the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

The query then is this-How is it that these historians differ so widely, and yet both speak by the Holy Spirit? The one declares that it was at the rising of the sun, and the other says it was yet dark.

Answer to Query 1st.-Moses wrote the five Books, excepting some explanations and additions to the close of Deuteronomy by Ezra, the Scribe. In Gen. chap. xxxvi. verse 31, there is also a continuation of the Kings of Edom, from the same source.

Answer to Query 2.-They are quoted by the Saviour of the world and his Apostles, as of divine authority. And the Lord, by Malachi, the last of the Old Testament Prophets, enjoins them upon all Israel as of divine obligation till the Great Prophet should come. When this Prophet came, Moses and Elias came down from heaven to visit him, and to lay down their commission at his feet. On the subject of inspiration see page 499.

Answer to Query 3.-Both Ezra and Nehemiah gave a table of the number of "the men," which The querist has confounded Luke xxiv. 1, and Mark PUBLISHER.

xvi. 2.

Now I request you or some of your readers to reconcile these passages if you can; if not, to show which of them is the true one: for as they now stand, both cannot be true.

Please to let this small question have a place in your first number. J.

had brought Numbers xxv. 9, you would not have found so much difficulty. Paul says, In one day there fell twenty-three thousand, and Moses says, In all during the plague there fell twenty-four thousand. No contradiction here. You did not refer to the proper passage. Some have with good reason supposed that twenty-three thousand died by the hand of God alone, and by the sword one thousand fell. It is evident that some were put to death by the sword. But as Paul speaks of one day, and Moses of the whole plague, there is no real difficulty in reconciling them. EDITOR.

Intolerance and Heresy, properly so called. SCORES of such occurrences as these mentioned below, have been received at this office within a few months. Those who love the dogmas of men more than the voice of the Bridegroom, will show them more veneration than the commandments of him who alone can bestow immortality. We have paid but little attention to the voice of sedition for some time, willing rather to obliterate than to perpetuate the recollection of such measures as must one day cover with shame the actors. O that men would hear that wisdom which comes from above! which is first pure, then peaceable, easy to be persuaded, full of good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

EDITOR.

Three Baptist churches have excommunicated each one individual for having united with a congregation of disciples who take the Ae Testament as their only guide in all respect obeying the practice as recorded in the fortie verse of

the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, | Extract from the Minutes of the Boon Creek Assoon each first day of the week.

A Baptist association recommended to the churches connected with said association, not to countenance a certain individual who went from house to house, and elsewhere, proclaiming the good news of eternal life by Christ Jesus-because this individual had not conformed to their views of what they consider necessary, viz.-a licence to preach given by the church-and their recommendation in this particular, as it does in all others, was effectual to produce conformity throughout their Diocese (if I may so call it) as a Bull from the Pope would be where his authority is acknowledged.

At another meeting of the same association, they published, in connexion with their minutes, a circular letter as the product of the genius of two of their number, when in truth, it was taken from an old English publication.

Yours, affectionately in love of the truth.

A Good Omen.

LOUISA, VA.

THE advocates for the ancient order in this section, are beginning to call in question some of the popular schemes of the day. At the Goshen association, held at County-Line meeting house, 1st of the month, the propriety of the general association was called in question. And after a short but animated discussion, the Goshen association broke off from the General association!!! The conflict was between Uriah Higgason, the young man I mentioned in a former letter, and J. Fife, Luther Rice, and Billingsly, three popular preachers. Brother Higgason carried his point with ease by a large majority. He showed that money was the bond of union of that association, and that it was an unlawful amalgamation of the world and the church. This I think is a pretty good step in the cause of reform, and ought to be known throughout the union. I was pleased to see some of the populars in the minority for once. I hope they will learn to be more charitable to those whom they have so much opposed.

Three Questions answered by one emphatic No! Quere. Is a church or any member thereof, that lives in the neglect of the duties enjoined on them in the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, such as assembling themselves together on the first day of the week, commemorating the death and resurrection of our Lord, contributing to the necessities of the poor, worshipping God in their families, or training up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and when called upon in the assembly of the Saints, to pray, cannot, or will not do it, capable of judging of the correctness or incorrectness of the doctrine of the Gospel?

ciation of Baptists in Kentucky, for the present

year.

"ON motion, The following remarks and resolution were adopted in answer to a request from several churches composing this association, for an amendment of her constitution, so as to make it more scriptural, or compatible with the word of God, viz. This association having taken into consideration the request of some of the churches for an amendment of her constitution, after mature deliberation, she is decidedly of opinion that the word of God does not authorise or prescribe any form of constitution for an association in our present organized state. (Our constitution we have caused to be printed in those minutes, for the inspection of the churches in making up their opinion to the next association;) but we do believe that the word of God authorises the assembling of saints together for his worship; we therefore recommend to the churches an abolition of the present constitution, and in lieu thereof, an adoption of this resolution:

Resolved, That we, the churches of Jesus Christ, believing the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the word of God, and the only rule of faith and obedience given by the Great Head of the Church for its government, do agree to meet annually on every 3d Saturday, Lord's day, and Monday in September of each year, for the worship of God; and on such occasions voluntarily communicate the state of religion amongst us by letter and messengers."

This is a most excellent substitute for the annual advisory councils and legislative deliberations of a church representative of churches. Any number of christians who please to meet at any time or place for such purposes as the Boon Creek association contemplates, has all the authority which reason and Revelation make necessary to acceptable service. Instead of a judicial court of Inquiry, and of resolves, we have a meeting of fellow christians for prayer and praise and thanksgiving, for mutual exhortation and edification. It would be a happy era in the history of christianity if all ecclesiastical courts, whether papistical, episcopalian, presbyterian, independent, or any thing else would regenerate themselves into worshipping assemblies.

The Unbeliever's Creed.

"I believe that there is no God, but that matter is God, and God is matter; and that it is no matter whether there is any God or no. I believe also that the world was not made; that the world made itself; that it had no beginning; that it will last forever, world without end. I believe that a man is a beast, that the soul is the body, and the body is the soul; and that Quere.-Is any man or woman, walking in after death there is neither body nor soul. I truth, that has united himself to a church, or believe there is no religion; that natural reliassembly of saints, to be whispering, backbit-gion is the only religion; and that all religion is ing, and defaming those persons and their doctrines or sentiments that he never has seen, knows nothing about them, nor will he read, or hear what they have to say of those doctrines?

Quere. Are men or women that have united themselves to a church or an assembly of saints, justified from the Gospel of the Messiah, in omitting to attend on every first day of the week, at the appointed place of worship, under pretence that they must go among their brethren in other churches, and that they are fulfilling their engagements to God in so doing?

unnatural. I believe not in Moses; I believe in the first philosophy; I believe not the Evangelists; I believe in Chubb, Collins, Tolland, Tindal, Morgan, Mandeville, Woolston, Hobbes, Shaftsbury. I believe in lord Bolingbroke. Í believe not in St. Paul. I believe not revelation; I believe in tradition; I believe in the Talmud; I believe in the Alcoran; I believe not in the Bible; I believe in Socrates; I believe Confucius; I believe in Sanconiathan; I believe in Mahomet; I believe not in Christ. Lastly, I believe in all unbelief."

No 6.]

JANUARY 5, 1829.

cordially congratulate them on their promotion A Restoration of the Ancient Order of Things. be, for indeed there cannot be, any insolence, to the rank of sons of God. But there must not

No. XXIX.

Discipline of the Church.-No. VI.

haughtiness, or superciliousness amongst those who are all made one in the kingdom of Jesus, arising from any of the relations which exist in the frame and government of this world. The virtuous, poor, and unlettered christian, who is walking in truth, is just as honorable and exalted in the estimation of all the inhabitants of the upper world, as those who, from circumstances beyond their creation, have ranked higher and been more adored by a mistaken and ill-judging world. Piety and pure morality constitute the only nobility in the kingdom of heaven.

In the preceding essays under this head, we have paid some attention to the nature of private and public offences, and to some of the general principles which are to be regarded in our treatment of them. We have also had occasion to call up to the attention of our readers some prevailing defects in the morality of Christians, which are not generally taken cognizance of in any of the modern establishments. In our last we spoke of the deep solicitude for the restoration of a delinquent, and long continued forbearance which christians are to exhibit towards It is, too, a happy circumstance in the original him, for his ultimate recovery from the snare of developement and exhibition of christianity, the wicked one. But, while recommending to which must eternally echo the praise of its founthe consideration of our brethren the christian der, that the scene of its perfecting purity is laid propriety and expediency of exercising much rather below, than at, or above mediocrity, as long suffering towards transgressors, and all respects all earth-born distinction. While but a mildness in our efforts to reclaim them from the few of the rich, the learned, and the noble, were error of their way, we must imitate the conduct honored with a place amongst the heirs of immorof one, who, while attempting to pull another tality, the poor and the unlettered constituted out of the fire, has to use the greatest caution not only the great mass of the army of the faithlest the flame seize his own garments. Jude ful; but all the captains, commanders, generals, says, "Have compassion indeed on some trans- and chiefs were of the most common class of sogressors; but others save by fear, snatching ciety. So that the history and biography of the them out of the fire; hating even the garment New Testament present the most astonishing spotted by the flesh." There is to be no con- spectacle ever seen before-the poorest and most formity to the obliquity of the transgressor to re-illiterate of men, shining in wisdom and purity, claim him. We are not to drink a little with the which cast into an eternal shade the wisdom and drunkard, nor to tattle a little with the tattler, nor morality of all the sages and moralists of the to detract with the slanderer, in order to convert pagan world. It thus adapts itself to the great them from the error of their way. While we show mass of society, and proves its superlative excelall tenderness for their persons, and all solicitude lence in giving a moral polish and lustre to that for their complete and perpetual felicity, we are great body of men which all other systems had not to show the least partiality for their faults, or a proved ineffectual to renovate, to improve, or disposition to diminish aught from the malignity even to restrain. of their trespasses. We ought to lay their sins Now this great improvement is not the effect before them in all their true colors, without ex- of good laws, but of good examples. No system tenuation or apology; while we beseech and of policy, no code of laws could have at first entreat them to abandon every sinful and perni- effected it, or can effect it now. The living mocious way. There is often too much care taken del of the glorious chief, the living example of to diminish from, and make excuses for an im- his immediate disciples, and the example of the moral or unchristian act. Hence we cheapen disciples in their associated capacity, give the offence in the eyes of those who were wont to first impulse. The continued watchfulness of regard it in a much more heinous point of view. the brotherhood and their affectionate regard for To show all willingness to restore him that is the welfare of one another, operate like the overtaken in a fault, and at the same time to laws of attraction in the material system. But exhibit the most unmingled detestation of the not only the happiness of the society, but also its fault, crime, or whatever it may be called, is usefulness in the world, depend chiefly upon this just the point to be gained by all those who care and watchfulness of the members of the aspire to the character of perfect men in Christ body, one over and for another. Nothing has Jesus. ever given so much weight to the christian arguIndeed there cannot be too much circumspec-ments as the congenial lives of those who profess tion exercised over the conduct of all those with them. On the other hand, nothing has defeated the whom we fraternize in the kingdom of Jesus. all-subduing plea of speculative christianity (as Many of those in all countries who profess the it may be called) so much as the discordant lives christian religion, are extremely ignorant of the of those who profess to believe it. Had it not dignity of their profession, and they are too been for this one drawback, christianity this day familiar with the low, mean, and demoralizing had known no limits on this side of the most disconverse of the world. Many of them, too, are altogether uncultivated in their minds and manners, and so completely enchased in penury and ignorance, as to preclude the hope of much mental enlargement or improvement, except from the sheer influences of reading and hearing the oracles of God. Christianity can, and does, impart a real dignity and elevation to all who cordially embrace it. The poor and the unlettered become not only tolerable but agreeable members of the christian community; and while they are commanded to rejoice in that they are exalted, the rich and the learned in this world who rejoice in that they are made low, can most

tant home of man.

Now we must admit that in no age, the primitive age of christianity not excepted, have all who have professed it acted up to its requirements. Many have apostatized from its protession altogether, and many who have not acted so flagitiously as to exclude them from the name, have, even in the estimation of their own friends, forfeited the character of real believers. Paul wept over the lives of such professors, and deplored their profession as more inimical to the doctrine of the cross than the avowed hostility of the open enemies of christianity. The hardened sceptic (for such there are who hate the

light) rejoices over the flaws and blemishes of apostle. And first-He must have seen the christians as the shamble fly over the putrid Lord, and received his commission from Christ specks in the dead carcase. He feasts and fat-immediately. I need not stop here to prove tens in his infidelity upon the moral corruptions this. Paul's apostleship was called in question of those who, in deeds, deny the Saviour. And by some of the Galatians upon the ground that as the heavenly messengers rejoice more over he had received his apostleship at second hand, one sinner that reforms, than over ninety-nine and had not obtained it from the Lord, so they just persons who need no reformation; so he re- concluded. His answer is, "Am I not an aposjoices more over one christian that apostatizes, tle? Have I not seen the Lord?" Again he than over the wickedness of ninety-nine profli- says, in writing to the Corinthians," And last of gates who never professed the faith. Now as a all he was seen by me also." So that his seeing real christian would be the last in theory or in that Just One and hearing the voice of his mouth, practice to afford him such a feast, so let every was necessary to his being a witness of what he christian watch over his brethren, that none of thus saw and heard. They could all say, "That them may either comfort the wicked or afflict which we have seen and heard, declare we to the saints that none of them may encourage you." The second qualification regards their the unbelieving, or cause the faithful to drop a credentials, called by Paul the signs of an apostle : tear over his fall. "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought So long as a man evidently desires to please among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, Christ, whatever we may think of his opinions, and mighty deeds." Let me name them: Speakwe are to love him as a brother. But when he ing with divers tongues, curing the lame, healevidently departs from his law, and tramples up-ing the sick, raising the dead, discerning of spion the authority of the Great King, we must exclude him.

rits, conferring these gifts upon others, &c. Thirdly, Inspiration.-Their word was to be received not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, (1 Thess. ii. 13.) and as that whereby we are to distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of error. And lastly, they had a power to settle the faith and order of all the churches, as models to future ages, to determine all controversies, and to exercise the rod of discipline upon all offenders, whether pastors or flock. Acts xv. 4. 1 Cor. v. 3-6. 2 Cor. x. 8. and xiii. 10. Well, now comes the difficulty. Can it be said of Barnabas, that he possessed all these qualifications? Try him by the first.Again, had the apostles any power or authority given them to appoint successors? If they had

There are some who talk of forgiving their brethren when they transgress. This is a mode of expression which is to be used with great caution. When a brother trespasses against a brother, he that has received the injury may, and ought to forgive the injurious, when he acknowledges his fault. But when a man publicly offends against Christ, (for example, gets drunk,) his brethren cannot forgive him. There is no such power lodged in their hands. How then are they to be reconciled to him as a brother, and receive him as such? When they believe, or have reason to believe that God has forgiven him. But how is this to be ascertained? When any christian has been overtaken in a fault, re-none, how came they to appoint Matthias? Bepents of it, confesses it, and asks forgiveness for it, we have reason to believe that he is pardoned. "For if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins; and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." Whenever, we have reason to believe that our Heavenly Father has forgiven our brother, we cannot avoid forgiving him, and receiving him, because God has received him. And if he has kindly and graciously received him, how much more we, who are also polluted, and in the same hazard of falling while in the body. This, then, is the rule and reason in all disciplinary proceedings against offenders:-When their penitence is so manifest as to authorize us to consider them as received into the kingdom of God, we must receive them into our favor, and treat them as though they had not transgressed. And here it may be observed, that the more frequently a brother transgresses, it will be the more difficult for us to knew that he has repented; and it may be so often as to preclude, in ordinary cases, all hope of his restoration. But before there has been any fall, it is much easier to prevent than to restore; and therefore, in all christian congregations, prayer for one another, and watchfulness, with all love and tenderness, will, than all other means, do more to prevent faults and fallings in our brethren. EDITOR.

GOOCHLAND, VA, August 22, 1823. BROTHER CAMPBELL,-As your correspondence is very extensive already I cannot ask you to notice any thing from me. But should it ever come in your way, I would be glad you would remove a difficulty that appears to me connected with the apostolic office. I will first state what I consider necessary to the qualifications of an

sides, if the first rule I have laid down be a correct one, then he had not his commission from the Lord in person. It will be said that they cast lots, and that the Lord, in making it to fall on Matthias, chose him. But does it not appear that they had not yet received the Spirit to guide them into all truth; and besides it was certain that the lot must fall on one or the other of the two they chose. Suppose then that either Matthias or Barnabas had been in Paul's place, and the Galatians had brought the charge against either, that they had received their commission from Peter and the other apostles at Jerusalem, and not from the Lord in person, I see not how either of them could have answered. And lastly, would there not be as many thrones as apostles in the kingdom of Christ, and instead of twelve be fourteen? or if there are to be only twelve, who shall we say occupies the seat-Matthias or Paul? Certainly from Paul have come forth many of the regulations of Christ's house. have mentioned these things very briefly. They may perhaps not appear worthy of notice. They are, however, at your disposal. It has appeared to me that it is as great a presumption in our day for a man to claim the title of ambassador as it is that of apostle.

I remain affectionately yours,

To Brother J. F.

F.

I

I MOST Cordially agree with you in the last sentence. Matthias kept the twelve thrones of the twelve apostles to the Jews' full to usher in the reign of the Messiah. If Matthias had not been elected, Peter, on Pentecost, could not have stood up with the eleven. From the twelve thrones, on that day, to the twelve tribes, were proclaimed the statutes and judgments of the

new crowned King of heaven and earth. It was just as necessary that there should be twelve apostles on the day of Pentecost, in honor of the twelve tribes, as that there should have been seventy evangelists sent out to traverse Judea in honor of the seventy sons of Abraham who went down into Egypt, or of the seventy senators who aided Moses in the wilderness. Paul's all and mission to the Gentiles was an apos eship sui generis, of its own kind. Barnabas was sent out with him as an aid. He was also an apostle. Paul associates him with himself in this office. He asks the Corinthians, "Am I and Barnabas the only two apostles excluded from the immunities of the other apostles?" But they are not ranked amongst the original twelve. Matthias sat on Judas' throne. Paul's honors are not the honors of office. He labored more abundantly than they all. His crown is no ordinary crown. He will be venerated by the Gentile world, and his authority regarded while time endures. He is our apostle. He was not ashamed of us, and we have no right to be ashamed of him. A hint to the wise is better than a sermon to a fool. Yours most affectionately, EDITOR.

Essays on Man in his Primitive State and under the Patriarchal, Jewish and Christian Dispensations.-No. VI.

this Damascus Eliezer? Then Abraham said, Seeing you have not given me seed, this servant of mine is to be my heir. And immediately there came a voice of the Lord to him saying, He shall not be your heir; but one who shall spring from you shall be your heir. Then he led him out and said to him, Look up now to the heaven, and count the stars if you can number them. Then he said, So shall your seed be. And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." So reads Genesis xv. in the Septuagint, which is not materially different from the common version.

Here we find the reason why Abraham became the father of all who believe. The promise made to him and believed so fully by him, is this "So shall your seed be "-as innumerable as the stars of heaven. This faith in this promise was accounted to him for righteousness. So says Moses, and so says Paul; but so does not say John Calvin nor John Wesley. One says, his system says that it was Abraham's faith in a future Messiah which was accounted to him for righteousness; and the other says it was Abraham's obedience which made him righteous. I am not to argue the case with them. We Moses and Paul, they teach us to consider that shall let their ashes rest in peace. But as for this Abraham was distinguished, honored, and accounted righteous, through believing that his. seed should be as numerous as the stars of the firmament. Some Nicodemus, methinks, says, How can this be? Let us endeavor to find out this mystery.

The Patriarchal Age.-No. II. THE Fall of Adam, the Deluge, the Confusion of Human Speech, and the Dispersion of the Family of Man, at so early a period, over all the face of the earth, were, under the management There was nothing more extraordinary ever and gracious government of the Most High, over- believed by any man, than that he, an old man, ruled to the general interests of the world, and ninety-nine years old, and his wife ninety, who made to contribute to the procurement of the had in her youth, and through all the years of greatest possible quantum of human bliss, on a parturition, been barren; should, by this woman, scale which transcends the limits of time and became the father of many nations, and have a space. The calling of Abraham is the next pub-progeny as innumerable as the countless myriads lic and interesting fact in the annals of the Pa- of the host of heaven. This was contrary to natriarchal Age. The defection of the world from the ture. When Abraham considered his own body knowledge, and consequently from the love and as good as dead to these matters, and when he fear of God, so essential to temporal felicity, ren- looked at the poor, wrinkled, shrivelled, and dered a more clear and full developement of the di- drooping old Sarah, and thought that they two, vine character absolutely necessary; and for this, old and faded as they were, should become the paas well as other very interesting purposes, it rents of immense nations, it transcended all the pleased the Possessor of heaven and earth to sig-powers of reason to believe it upon any other premi nalize Abraham, and to make him and his descendants the repository of his gracious purposes, and communication concerning the whole race of men.

The promises made to Abraham concerned his own progeny and the whole world. And because of the remarkable certainty with which Abraham believed or received them, he is distinguished as the most remarkable believer who had as yet lived upon the earth; insomuch that he is called the "Father of all who believe," in all nations and in all ages.

ses than the omnipotence and inviolate truth and faithfulness of God. To these he gave glory and rested assured that God would make good his promise. "Therefore," says that prince of commentators, Paul, "he staggered not at the promise of God by calling in question either his veracity or power, and was strong in faith, giving all the glory to God's power and truth. Therefore it was accounted to him (i. e. his belief in this promise) for righteousness." It brought him into a state of favor and acceptance with God. This faith was so unprecedented, so new, It might be interesting here to inquire what it so simple, so strong, as to exalt Abraham to bewas in the faith of Abraham that rendered it so come not only the natural progenitor of nations, illustrious, and made him the Father of so many but also the covenant, instituted, or spiritual fanations? Something intimately connected with ther of all believers in all ages and nations. His our own enjoyments depends upon our clear ap- faith, then, becomes the model of "saving faith," prehension of this matter. Let us therefore take or of that faith which terminates in the salvation a brief view of the call of Abraham, the promises of the whole man. For he that believes that made to him, and his faith in them. The pas- God raised up the crucified, dead, and buried sage to which Paul alludes (Romans iv.) upon Jesus, and made him the Saviour of the world, bethe faith of Abraham, is found in Gen: chapter lieves in the same manner, i. e. rests upon the XV. "After these things a word of the Lord came truth and power of God; and this belief of the to Abraham in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abra- promise of eternal life through a crucified Saham; I protect you. Your reward shall be ex-viour, is just of the same kind as Abraham's faith ceedingly great. Whereupon Abraham said, Othe object only different. And therefore all Sovereign Lord, what will you give me, seeing I they of this faith are blessed with believing die childless, and the son of Masek my servant, Abraham.