Faith." Surely we are not detracting from the superior excellency of Charity, when we affirm that Faith, in many respects, is the most important of all Christian graces. This must be evident to all who are conversant with the Word of God, or will take the pains to examine it. What relative prominence is there given to it in that Divine Chart? We need scarcely say it is much more prominent than either Hope or Charity. Belief and trust are terms which frequently occur in the Scriptures, and may be understood as synonymous with Faith. We shall subjoin at the end of this Chapter a list of references, which, if examined, will shew the great prominence that Faith occupies in the sacred volume. We shall at present adopt a more concise and simple method, and which may afford equally satisfactory proof and illustration of the relative prominence of Faith, Hope, and Charity. We have already quoted from the Epistles all, or nearly all, the passages where these three graces were mentioned: thus shewing the connection and general prominence of these subjects. We now propose to quote those texts in which some of the graces are dwelt upon and others omitted; and let us bear in mind what has already been stated with respect to the comparative importance of Faith and Hope, particularly with respect to their moral qualities. Unbelief is always a sin; it is a sin in the ungodly not to believe, but it is not a sin in them not to hope; because Hope, in such a state, would be presumption. Now in the following passages, Faith and love are commended; but no equal number of passages can be found where the grace of Hope supplies the place of either of these: 1 Cor. xvi. 13, 14. 2 Cor. viii. 7. Ep. i. 15; iii. 17; vi. 23. 6, 10, 12. 2 Thes. i. 3. Col. ii. 2, 5. Gal. v. 22. 1 Thes. iii. 1 Tim. i. 5, 14; ii. 15; iv. 12; vi. 2, 11. 2 Tim. i. 5, 7, 13.; ii. 22; iii. 10. Philemon 5, 6, 7. 1 John iii. 23; Tit. ii. 2. v. 1, 2, 4. Rev. ii. 19. 5, 7. Jude, 20, 21. Heb. x. 22, 24. 2 Pet. i. We should, however, find still more passages where Faith, separately, is commended; thus clearly shewing that as Faith is the more important grace, and considered as the foundation of all other graces, so it is the most prominent: thus supplying further proof of the truth of that principle that every subject in Scripture, as far as it practically concerns us, is prominent in proportion to its importance. Faith in God necessary to please Him: Num. xiv. 11; xx. 12. Deut. i. 32; xxxii. 20, 22. 2 Kings, xvii. 14. 2 Chron. xx. 20. Dan. vi. 23. Jon. iii. 5. Ps. lxxviii. 22. Is. vii. 9. Hab. ii. 4. Rom. xi. 20, 23. N Heb. iii. 19; xi. 6. See Heb. xi. Where Faith is And here we cannot refrain from adverting to one dishonourable to God, and painful to the believer, is rather an infirmity than a sin, and widely different are the appeals of Scripture to each class. See Ps. lxxviii. 21, 22; Rev. xxi. 8. Here the severest denunciations of Divine judgment are pronounced against the unbelieving. But though despondency is rebuked by God, with what comparative tenderness!"Oh ye of little Faith, wherefore did ye doubt?" See Is. xlix. 14, 15, 16. Hope in God: Ps. xxxix. 7; lxxi. 5; lxxviii. 7. Jer. xiv. 8; xvii. 13, 17. Lam. iii. 24. 1 Pet. i. 21.In His mercy: Ps. xxxiii. 18; xlvii. 11.-In Christ: 1 Cor. xv. 19. 1 Tim. i. 1.-In the word and promise of God: Ps. cxix. 74, 81, 147; cxxx. 5. Acts xxvi. 6, 7.—The fruit of the Spirit: Rom. xv. 13.— Scripture designed to produce Hope: Rom. xv. 4. 1 Cor. ix. 10.-Hope the gift of God: 2 Thes. ii. 16. 1 Pet. i. 3.—Hope in the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal life: Job xix. 26. Ps. xvi. 9. Acts. xxiii. 6; xxiv. 15. 1 John iii. 3. Tit. i. 2; ii. 13; iii. 7. Rom. v. 2, 5. Col. i. 27. The grace of Hope-the joy and comfort to be derived from it-meet the Christian eye obviously and frequently in the Word of God; but Faith and love being more necessary, and more enduring graces, are more frequently enforced and commended. |