cause in other pages of the hallowed volume, faith is declared to be the passport to salvation. Teach them, on the contrary, to connect the precepts thus apparently opposed, and they will find the doctrines of faith and practice harmonious throughout. Numberless declarations will meet the eye in which the commands to believe and to act are plainly and purposely combined. These will exhort them, in positive language, to "work out their salvation," but to do so "with fear and trembling," because it is God that worketh in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure; thus, in the same precept, establishing the freeagency of man and the assisting inward influences of the Holy Spirit of God. These will assure them, in the words of Christ, that not alone to call him Lord, but to do his will, will secure him eternal life; that ** not the "hearers" only, but the "doers of his word," shall be accepted with him; that the exhortation to "repent" precedes the invitation to be "saved;" that they must bring forth fruits meet for repentance ; that they must be "merciful," and " pure in heart," and "peace-makers," before they 66 can be pronounced blessed," and be called the "children of God;" that their "light must shine before men," who will " see their good works," and thus "learn to glorify their Father which is in Heaven." On this foundation you will earnestly implore those "committed to your charge" to build their hopes of everlasting life; for such I conscientiously believe to be the enjoined faith and practice of the Christian disciple. He first learns to believe, and then proceeds to act consistently with that belief. He proves himself a follower of Jesus by striving to do what he has commanded him to do. The soundness of the tree can be only known by the goodness of its fruit-if it bear none, "why cumbereth it the ground?" Your affectionate Friend and Father. |