imagine, that our pres ent discoveries unfold the whole influence of the death of Christ. It is connected with causes into which we cannot penetrate. It produces consequences too extensive for us to explore. God's thoughts are not as our thoughts. In all things we see only in part; and here, if any where, we see also, as through a glass, darkly. Blair's Sermons, vol. 1, page 74.

6. The infidel rejects the doctrine of an atonement, because he cannot fully comprehend it. I might ask, what can we short-sighted creatures fully comprehend ? very little indeed, even of those things which we daily see. And shall we reject the plan of salvation made by omnipotent wisdom, because we caunot fully look into it? Shall the man who is sinking under a mortal disease, refuse the medicine, which shall infallibly restore him, because he is ignorant of the ingredients of which it is composed ?Shall the criminal, who is under the sentence of death, reject the pardon, which is unexpectedly offered to him, because he cannot conceive in what manner, and by what means, it was obtained for him ? In short, shall we determine not to be saved, because God chooses to do it, not in our way, but in his own? This would certainly be acting very foolishly and dangerously.-Let us not, my brethren, be among the number of such deluded persons. Let us not make God a liar by disbelieving his word. Let us on the contrary believe the reports

that there is salvation in none other, and that, thro' Christs name. whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins.-Acts 10, 43.

ARTICLE IV.

OF JUSTIFICATION.

We teach, that we cannot obtain forgiveness of sins and righteousness before God, through our own merits, works or satisfaction, but that we obtain forgiveness of sins, and become righteous before God through grace, for Christ's sake, by faith, if we believe that Christ suffered for us, and that for his sake sins are forgiven, and righteousness and eternal life are granted to us.

We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Art. Epis. Church.

NOTES.

1. Saving faith must have a promise of God for its object. This promise is, that God will forgive us our sins, and grant us eternal life for Christ's sake, under the condition that we penitently receive and embrace him as our Saviour. Mich. comp. th. dog. art. Faith.

He, who feels sorrow and grief on account of his sins, and truly believes that he is deserviug of eternal damnation, but yet, that God will pardon his sins for Christ's sake, will receive and embrace this promise of forgiveness and eternal life, with the greatest desire and eagerness, and at the same time be willing to perform those conditions, under which God offers them, to the utmost of his ability; so that he will endeavor, from that moment, to renounce the service of sin, for which Christ had to endure such dreadful punishments, and strive to love him with all his.heart. Ibidem.

2. The faith, by and through which we are justified, consists not in a bare knowledge and assent to the truth of the gospel; but it is a certain inward persuasion, by which we sincerely, and with our whole heart, do embrace the doctrines contained in the word of God as true, and especially Christ as our Saviour, and this persuasion must penetrate the heart, and be accompanied with a suitable practice. Osterwald's Theology.

3. The distinguishing doctrine of the reformation, saith Dr. Buchanan, in his sermon, entitled "Star in the East," was justification by faith. "This said Luther, is the only solid rock. This rock continues he, did Satan shake in paradise, when he persuaded our first parents, that by their own wisdom and power they might become like unto God, and thereby induced them to renounce their faith in God, who had given them life and a promise of its continuance.The kingdom of Satan, added Luther, is to be resisted by this heavenly and all-powerful doctrine. Whether we be rude or eloquent-whether we be learned or unlearned, this rock must be defended-this doctrine must be published in animated strains. It is "the magna charta ecclesiæ stantis vel cadentis." Luther's preface to the Galatians.

ARTICLE V.

OF THE MINISTRY.

To obtain such a faith, God hath instituted the ministry, and given us the gospel and the sacraments, through which, as means, he gives the. Holy spirit, who works faith, where and when he will, in those that aftenF

tively hear the gospel, which teaches that we have a merciful God, through Christ's merits, and not through any merit of our own.

ARTICLE VI.

OF RENEWED OBEDIENCE.

We also teach, that such a faith brings forth good fruit and good works, and that we must do such good works, as God hath commanded, yet not to trust in them, as if we could thereby merit grace with God.For we obtain forgiveness of sin and righteousness, through faith in Christ, as Christ himself saith, Luc 17: When ye shall have done all those things, which are commanded you, ye shall say, we are unprofitable servants. Thus the Fathers also teach; for Ambrosius saith: It is so determined by God, that he who believes in Christ shall be saved and obtain forgiveness of sins, not through works, but only through faith, without any merits of his own.