this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8: 18. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17, 18.

From a heart that has received this real, unfeigned faith, and is filled therewith, must necessarily flow, as an evidence of the same, the fruits of the Holy Spirit; and unbelief, with all its unfruitful works of darkness, must disappear and vanish away, as darkness is dispelled and fleeth before the bright shining rays of the sun. By this true faith, which is the beginning of the Christian doctrine, we become the children of God; boro of him; overcome the world, and are made able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Also, by this saving faith we are sanctified, justified, saved and made partakers of the gifts of God, and the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus, and without which it is impossible to please God.

By this true and living faith, the believer is animated and excited to press forward in his heavenly road toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and with fasting and praying in the spirit, humbly imploring God for new strength to hold out in

divine virtues steadfast unto the end. For if this be neglected, the believer may again relapse into unbelief, the Divine Spirit withdraw from him, his name be erased out of the book of life, and written in the earth. Jer. 17: 13.

To this true faith, which is the gracious gift of God, are all men, without respect of persons, called, by the word of God, and invited to come: that is, all those who have come to the years of understanding, and are capable to hear the word of God and understand it; for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10: 17.—Now, as little children are incapable to hear or understand the word of God, it is evident that neither faith nor good works are demanded of them; bat that they are freely redeemed, bought, purified and saved, from the fall of Adam, by the atoning merit and blood of Jesus Christ, who died to redeem the whole race of Adam from sin and death. Therefore, in this state of innocency the little children are well pleasing to God in Christ Jesus; are under his grace, and heirs of his kingdom. Hence it is a gross error that any should attribute faith to little children, or to say that they should be lost without it: nay, it is a sign that those who advance such a belief, are destitute of the knowledge of true faith themselves; neither believe they the words of Jesus Christ, who said that, Of such is the kingdom of heaven. For,

As a true and living faith consists in believing and accepting of the good things which are ten

dered and promised to us of God, in his word; and, on the contrary, unbelief consists in rejecting, disbelieving and disregarding those things; and as little children are incapable of either believing and accepting of what is good, or disbe lieving and refusing what is evil, having no ca pacity to judge of things according to their worth, as every discreet person must see and know, it must consequently follow that there cannot be imputed to them either faith or unbelief, but that they are simple, and unconscious of what is good or evil; and with this, their innocent simplicity and unconsciousness, God is well pleased. Moreover, we are commanded to imitate and be like them in this their innocency and simplicity.

How faith is the gift of God, and is wrought in the hearts of men through grace, and cometh by hearing the word of God, read:-For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2: 8, 9. -For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. Rom. 12:3. -Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him, through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Col. 2: 12.-So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10: 17.

How we are to believe on God through his word, read:-Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. John 17:20.-Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Eph. 1: 9, 13.-But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb. 11: 6. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 1 Pet. 1: 21. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. 3: 15.

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That faith is not an idle thing, but that it is operative, working with power, read the following scriptures:-By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name. Rom. 1: 5.Now, to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the com

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mandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith;) to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. 16: 25-27.-And the word of God increased; and the number of the 'disciples, multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Acts 6: 7, 8.-For this cause also thank we God, without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as) it is in truth,) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thess. 2: 13. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith, which worketh by love. Gal. 5: 6.

And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to tempe rance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was. purged from his old sins. 2 Pet. 1: 5-9.-For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith' without works is dead also. James 2: 26.--But