appears, that in his view there is something peculiar in the character and qualifications of a believer, in relation to this subject, which it is important for us to consider. Before we proceed any farther, therefore, in this discussion, we shall endeavor to explain some of the distinguishing characteristics of the true be liever. What then is a believer?

A believer is one whose understanding has been enlightened by the Word of God. The Word of God is a light which shineth in a dark place, and although the darkness frequently comprehendeth it not, it has an enlightening influence on the minds of all who follow its direction. It is a powerful instrument, which the Holy Spirit uses, to produce deep and lasting impressions on the human understanding and heart. It was given by the inspiration of the Almighty, for our instruction in righteousness, and is able to make us wise unto salvation. And wherever the Word of God is faithfully preached, and diligently heard, it is made to produce these effects. It has a wonderful efficacy in leading men out of darkness, and bringing them to the light. This the believer has experienced. His understanding has been enlightened by the Word of God. It has produced an astonishing change in his mind. Once he was entirely ignorant of its truths, he refused either to read or hear it, because he was prejudiced against it, he was blind to its beautiful simplicity, and had no taste for its interesting descriptions. But since he has carefully read and seriously meditated upon it, all this ignorance and blindness has been removed, these prejudices have vanished from his mind, and he can now clearly see his folly and wickedness, in neglecting it so long. He has discovered many truths in the Bible, of which he was formerly entirely ignorant, or had a very imperfect idea. He has discovered that he is a sinner, who has broken God's law, and deserves its punishment. He has seen his danger and felt his guilt and misery under the dominion of sin, and the influence of an evil and corrupt nature. He has viewed himself as ex

tremely odious in the sight of God. He has been taught to realize his hopeless and miserable condition under the curse of the law and the sentence of God's wrath. And having viewed himself as a guilty, condemned, and perishing sinner, he has cried to God for mercy. He has found also, that there is salvation for sinners-that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, has redeemed them by his blood, and that he is willing and able to save them to the uttermost-he has hearkened to the voice of the Son of God, and in accepting the offer of his salvation, he has learned from his own experience, that sinners who apply to this all-sufficient Savior, according to the terms and conditions of his gospel covenant, can be washed from all their uncleanness, pardoned of all their sins, and saved from all their guilt and misery. He is convinced that the plan of salvation which the gospel proposes, however mysterious and incomprehensible it may appear to many, who have never entered into it, is the most perfect system which Infinite Wisdom could have devised for the salvation of sinners and the glory of God.

These discoveries of divine truth have produced a most salutary effect on his mind-he has become deeply interested in the study of the Holy Scriptures-he loves the Word of God-he diligently reads, and earnestly prays, that he may understand it. Whenever he reads, he finds something new, and every newdiscovery renders him still more anxious to advance in religious knowledge and experience. He seeks to improve every opportunity of becoming more enlightened in the truths of God's holy word, he faithfully attends the preaching of the gospel, he hears the word, and seriously and devoutly meditates upon what he hears. All his difficulties in the way of a regular attendance on the duties of the sanctuary are now removed-he diligently visits the house of God-participates in our devotional exercises, and listens to our discourses, that he may be instructed in righteousness and grow in grace. He who is thus enlightened by the

word of God, and sincerely desirous of profiting by the means of grace which he possesses, will continually advance in the way of salvation. He knows the truth, and the truth has made him free. A flood of spiritual light has entered his mind, and under the influence of this light he has come out of darkness, his eyes have been opened, he sees his past folly and wickedness, he has renounced his former errors, and embraced the truth: he now follows the light-he looks to Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith, to lead him in the way of eternal life, and having fixed his eye on the glorious prize of his high calling, he goes on rejoicing in his way, and glorifying God, who hath called him out of darkness into marvellous light.

Another distinguishing characteristic of the true believer is, that he has experienced the renovating power of divine grace. Grace communicates light, but light does not always communicate grace. There may be an abundance of light in a man's mind, and not a particle of grace in his heart. A man cannot be sanctified without being enlightened, but he may be enlightened without being sanctified. There are many who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Some men have learned to understand, and even to teach and preach the doctrines and principles of our holy religion, without giving any evidence that they have ever experienced their saving influence on their hearts. They study the Bible, as they would any uninspired book, for their literary gratification, and scientific improvement; they seek after wisdombut it is the wisdom of the world-not that which cometh from above; they thirst for knowledge, but hunger not after righteousness-they want light, and love darkness rather than light.

But he that believeth on the Son of God has not only been enlightened by the word of God, he has also been sanctified by the power of divine grace. He has experienced that great moral change which is represented in the Scriptures as a new creation

-his whole soul is renovated-his flesh has been crucified-his body of sin destroyed: he has been buried with Christ--experienced the power of his resurrection, and now lives in the Spirit. His wicked heart has been changed, and his carnal mind renewed --he has been born again--he is a new creature-he has been turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. And this is a great work. The sinner once was dead in trespasses and sins, but he has been raised from the dead, and made to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus: his heart was desperately wicked, and his mind at enmity with God; but now the love of God hath been shed abroad in his heart. And this no human power could do. Reason could not do it; for in every attempt that has been made, it has been found inadequate to the task. All the light and knowledge which the world has ever possessed could not do it; for whenever and wherever they have been applied, they have failed. No, nothing short of the power of Almighty God will change the sinner's heart.

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And this the believer has experienced. He has received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and under his quickening influence he was made spiritually alive. The Holy Spirit has entered into his heart, and filled it with the love of God, and all those Christian graces which adorn his character and afford him so much comfort and enjoyment. Under the power and influence of divine grace, he was made free from sin, released from the captivity of Satan, restored to the favor of God, and fitted for the happiness of heaven. Sustained by this power and jinfluence, he daily increases in the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus Christ: he holds on his way, and advances in his course, until he has arrived at the mark, and can say with the distinguished apostle of old, "I have fought the good fight--I have finished my course— -I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge will give me at that day."

The last distinguishing characteristic of the true believer, which we shall mention, is, that he feareth God, and worketh righteousness. There are many people who say that they love the Lord Jesus Christ. We have their word for it, and that is all: they have professed religion, and made a declaration of their faith, and this is all they have ever done. And what is yet worse, it is all that they think necessary to be done, in order to be saved. Such people are deceived by a false profession. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him-they say that they believe in the Son of God, and abide in him, but they walk not even as he walked--they are engaged in wicked pursuits, they have no fear of God before their eyes, neither do they love righteousness-they have placed all their affections upon the world, they live in the flesh, and notwithstanding all their professions of love and friendship, they are the enemies of God, and daily transgress his holy will and commandments. This did not Christ-and no true believer in him will do it. He is one who feareth God and worketh righteousness. True Christian faith is an operative principle. It cannot be hid. No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it under a bushel; but on a candlestick, so that it giveth light to all that are in the house. So it is with the true believer; his light shineth before men, so that they may see his good works. Here is the great test of all true religion. A man may seem religious, but if he is a worldly-minded man, if he is covetous, if he has no feeling for the poor, despiseth his brother, and bridleth not his tongue, his religion is vain: he may say that he has faith, but if he has never proved his faith by his works, will his faith save him? He may boast of his knowledge, and talk much of his experience; if he is not distinguished by an honest and upright walk, he has no religion. The man who will deny himself, take up his cross and follow Christ wherever he leads him, who is willing to serve God faithfully, and do his work diligently, in whatever station he may be commanded to labor— he it is whom the Lord will own for his good and faithful ser