Whatever the object of faith, it is always the same in its nature, though not always the same in degree. Christ said to his disciples—“O ye of little faith!” and the apostle saith of Abraham—“He was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” Faith is represented in the Scriptures by a variety of expressions, such as—believing the testimony of God—relying or staying upon the Lord—waiting upon him—trusting in him—looking unto him—coming to Christ—putting on the Lord Jesus—committing the keeping of the soul to him, as unto a faithful Creator. These different expressions denote the several modifications of faith, and its several degrees of intensity; but they all fall under the apostolical definition noticed above.
The language of the law was—“Do this and live.” The language of the gospel is—“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt he saved.” Faith in Christ is the prescribed and only condition of acceptance with God. Christ is the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by him. Faith is the eye with which we behold his mercy; faith is the hand by which we receive his blessings; faith is the golden chain which binds us to him for ever. The necessity of faith in the merit and righteousness of our Divine Mediator, as the condition of salvation, is a truth which lies scattered over the surface of inspired Scripture. God has always owned and blessed its proclamation in the conversion of souls. It was the article of Luther’s emancipation from legal bondage. It was the master-key which unlocked the iron gates of Antichrist, and poured the true light over all Europe; so that neither pope nor council, nor both together, could hide it again under a bushel. And in the church of England, even in its present weak and languid state, whenever one of its ministers preaches clearly and faithfully this blessed doctrine, souls are given him as the seals of his ministry.
There is no end to the praises of faith. Faith is the glass that draws fire from the Sun of Righteousness. Faith is the wedding ring that joins the sinner to Christ in an everlasting covenant. Faith is the living principle of all holy obedience, working by love, and purifying the heart. If God command a man to leave his country and his kindred, and go into a strange land—to offer his beloved son as a sacrifice upon the altar—to build an ark on dry ground—to go to the fiery furnace, or the lions’ den—to face his exasperated foes at Jerusalem, or hide from them in the caves of the mountains—it is faith that prompts him to the painful duty, and sustains him therein, in spite of improbabilities; and amidst difficulties, dangers, and deaths.