December 25

Precious faith.—2 Peter 1:1.

FAITH may be considered in a double respect: either as it is a quality inherent in the soul, or as an instrument by which the soul apprehends some other thing. Now, in the same thing there is much difference between itself as a quality, and as an instrument. Heat as a quality can only produce the like quality again; but as an instrument of the sun, it can produce life and sense, things of more excellency than the quality itself. Faith as a quality, is no better than other graces of the Spirit; but as an instrument, so it has a quickening quality which no other grace has. This preciousness of faith is seen chiefly in two respects, First, in regard of the objects; and Secondly, in regard of the offices of it.

First. Faith has the most precious and excellent object of any other, Christ and his truth, and promises. "Herein God commended his love, in that when we were sinners, Christ died." This was the sovereign and most excellent love-token, and testification of divine favor that ever was sent from heaven to men. "God so loved the world;" so superlatively, so beyond all measure or apprehension, "that he gave his Son." There is such a compass of all dimensions in God's love, manifested through Christ; such a height, and length, and breadth, and depth, as makes it exceed all knowledge. It is exceeding and unsearchable riches. In one word, that which faith looks upon in Christ, is the price, the purchase, and the promises which we have by him:—The price which made satisfaction unto God; the purchase, which procured salvation for us; and the promises, which comfort and secure us in the certainty of both; and all these are precious things. The blood of Christ, "precious blood." The promises of Christ, "precious promises." And the purchase of Christ, a "very exceeding and abundant weight of glory." But it may be objected, Have not other graces the same object as well as faith? Do we not love Christ, and fear him, and hope in him, and desire him, as well as believe in him? True indeed; but herein is the excellency of faith, that it is the first grace which looks towards Christ. The messenger that brings the first tidings of good things, is ever most welcome: the servant who is ever nearest his master's person, is esteemed the best man in that order: so faith, being the first grace that brings tidings of salvation, the nearest grace to Christ's person, is therefore the most excellent in regard to the object.

Secondly. Faith is the most precious grace, in regard to the offices of it. Though in its inherent and habitual qualification, it be no more noble than other graces, yet in the offices which it executes, it is far more excellent than any. Two pieces of parchment and wax are, in themselves, of little or no difference in value; but in their offices, which they bear as instruments and patents, one may as far exceed the other, as a man's life exceeds his lands: for one may be a pardon of life, the other a lease of a cottage. One man in a city may, in his personal estate, be much inferior to another; yet as an officer in the city, he may have a great precedence and distance above him. Compare a piece of gold with a seal of silver or brass, and it may have far more worth in itself; yet the seal has an office or relative power to ratify covenants of far more worth than the piece of gold: so it is between faith and other graces. Consider faith in its inherent properties,—so it is not more noble than the rest; but consider it as an instrument, by God appointed for the most noble offices,—so it is the most precious and excellent grace. There are several specific offices peculiar to faith, as to justify, to sanctify, and to overcome the world. But these are all comprehended in the one great office of faith to unite to Christ, and give possession of him. The apostle prays for the Ephesians, "that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith." Wealth in the mine does no good at all, till it be severed and appropriated to persons and uses. Water in the fountain is of no service unto me, till it be conveyed thence to my own cistern. The light of the sun brings no comfort to him, who has no eyes to enjoy it. So though Christ be a mine, full of excellent and unsearchable riches,—a fountain, full of comforts and refreshments,—a sun of righteousness,—a captain and prince of life and salvation; yet till he is made ours, till there be some bond and communion between him and us, we remain as poor and miserable, as if this fountain had never been opened, nor this mine discovered. But it is the office of faith to unite the soul to Christ, and appropriate him to the soul of the believer. Hence the apostle says of the believer: "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." How precious then is faith. "Lord, increase our faith."