FAITH

Betah—Signifies—Confidence

My dear Betah:

IT is of infinite importance “that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God,” because that faith which stands only in the wisdom of men, leaves the heart unchanged, deceives its possessor, and is worse than useless in the great concern of salvation; while that which stands in the power of God is a vital principle, that purifies the heart, removes deception, and secures the soul.

Allow me, therefore, to present you with a few lines on this topic, praying the Holy Spirit to render them profitable to the establishment of your mind, and bringing you to a satisfactory conclusion that your faith is “the faith of God’s elect;” should this be the happy consequence, I shall not consider the time occupied in writing as lost, nor will you regret that which you expend in reading, what is now affectionately presented to you.

By the term FAITH in scripture, we are sometimes to understand the whole gospel scheme of salvation, but more particularly, that saving grace of the Holy Spirit, which dwells in every renewed soul, and is known by its nature, properties, and exercises; differing essentially from every counterfeit that may assume the name. It is a living, active, victorious principle, without which no spiritual blessings can be received, no conquests obtained, or any enjoyments realized.

The apostle has given us a striking description of the nature of faith, in his epistle to the Hebrews, calling it, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Such an expression must mean something more than the mere crediting of any statement; and I trust, you have some experimental acquaintance with the meaning of the Holy Ghost in this interesting passage. Have you not felt, my dear young friend, that the things “hoped for,” (as promised in the Word of God,) are spiritual realities? Are you not the subject of the very contrition you have “hoped for”—the life you have “hoped for”—and the spiritual pleasure you have “hoped for?”—Is not the sight of self—of Christ —and of the work of grace a reality, yea, a “substance dwelling in you, which makes every thing short of Christ and his covenant fulness, appear as a shadow? Faith brings the “substance” of prophecy—of promise—and of future bliss into the soul, and is in itself the substantial pledge of heaven, it discerns the “substance” (even Christ) in all ordinances; it gives “substance” to prayer; it is in short, the “substance” of every thing in Christian experience, and without it religion is a mere phantom, which can neither please God, nor profit the soul.

Faith is also said to be “the evidence of things not seen;” that is, the full conviction and positive assurance, of the reality of divine things, resting as satisfied with the divine testimony, as with ocular demonstration. Moreover it is God’s “evidence” in the soul against sin and for Christ, witnessing continually of the ruin, depravity, and shame of fallen nature, and disclosing or apprehending the merits and righteousness of Christ; it is an “evidence” which falsifies all pharisaical pretensions—exposes the misery of the sinner’s case—and glorifies the Lord Jesus, by asserting his divine suretyship, and maintaining the fact, that salvation is wholly of rich, free, and sovereign grace.

This faith is said to be “the gift of God” and, “of the operation of God;” hence we conclude, that no man in his natural state possesses it; but that it is a supernatural principle coming from God, and producing effects above nature: the whole of the 11th chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews is a confirmation of this statement, and I trust my dear Betah knows something experimentally of its power and influence, for it is the same in nature, though different in strength, in all the family of God; hence the apostle Peter calls it “like precious faith.”

Your faith may not be strong enough to remove mountains, but, if it be strong enough to trust Christ in the vale, it is like precious faith—it may not be strong enough to triumph over all enemies, yet, strong enough to maintain daily war with them—it may not be strong enough to take a standing on the summit of Calvary, gaze on the atoning Saviour, and exclaim, He is “my Lord and my God;” yet it may be strong enough to lie at the foot of his cross, and wait to be sprinkled with his blood.

“Little faith”—weak faith—and, even faith which it but as a grain of mustard seed, is nevertheless the faith of God’s elect; in Paul it may be strong enough to say, “I know whom I have believed;” in you it may only be able to say, “Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief?”—the faith which exclaims, “None of these things move me,” and that which cries out, “Hold thou me up and I shall be safe,” is like precious faith; yea, the faith of Abraham, “who against hope believed in hope,”—the faith of David, who sung, “Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant”—the faith of Job, who exclaimed, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,”—the faith of Paul, whose whole life, after his conversion, was one continued triumph of faith—and the faith of the awakened sinner, who weeps at the feet of Jesus, seeks to touch the hem of his garment, or breathes out the heartfelt cry, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me,” is all “like precious faith.”

Of this faith, Christ is the author, object, and finisher: every particle of it comes from him: hence his disciples cried out, “Lord, increase our faith,” conscious that the little faith they possessed was obtained from his fulness, and thence alone it could be supplied and augmented. So also, the faith of which he is the author, always fixes upon him as its object, looking to his person, offices, covenant relation, and perfect work, for all that pertains to the salvation of the soul; it acts upon him, appropriates and receives him, as “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption;” it claims relation to him, honors him by renouncing every thing for him, takes him as the Father’s gift, in whom all the treasures of the covenant of grace are made over to the objects of everlasting love; and triumphs in him as the complete portion of the soul.

Living faith may be further considered as the digestive faculty of the new nature, which receives the ministry of gospel truth as food, and renders it nutritious to the soul; this seems to be the idea of the apostle, when speaking of unprofitable hearers, “the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Whether it be “sincere milk,” “living bread” or “strong meat,” which is dispensed in the house of God, none are really profited but those in whom it is mixed with faith, to such only it imparts spiritual strength, comfort, and health; it may furnish the heads of others with speculative notions, till they are puffed up with pride and self-conceit, but it profits the souls of those only, who feed upon it by faith, as the necessary provision of the family of God.

One of the most simple and yet most important acts of faith is, taking God at his word; waving all scruples about probabilities, possibilities, conditions, &c. and having recourse to the divine testimony it answers all the reasonings of unbelief, with “Thus saith the Lord;” the faith which acts thus, will work industriously—fight manfully-overcome honorable—and triumph extensively. It considers no duty arduous, for it works by love— it spares no enemy it finds in the heart, but fights in Jesus’ strength until he reigns there without a rival. It considers no privilege too great to claim, but asks the teaching of the Holy Ghost, confides in the person and work of the Lord Jesus, lives upon his fulness of grace, and cherishes sweet assurance of the covenant love of God the Father. The immutability of covenant purposes is its authority—the blood of atonement its strength—the unction of the Holy One its element—glorifying Christ its work—and victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil is its glory.

Do you not perceive, my dear Betah, an essential difference between this faith, and a cold assent to gospel truth, which leaves the heart unaffected, and the life uninfluenced ? Surely you can put in your claim to the former, at least among the weak in faith: look up therefore and pray as the disciples of old did, “Lord, increase my faith.” Ever remember, that the stronger your faith is, the more you will glorify God and obtain true peace of mind, amidst the constant annoyances of the world, and the conflicts of flesh and spirit.

Faith, when strong and in lively exercise, approves all providential dispensations — walks steadily on in seasons of spiritual darkness— solves every difficulty in the sovereignty of God —sees Christ in all the ordinances of his house, and brings delightful foretastes of heaven into the soul: it gives vigor to prayer—melody to praise—and activity to zeal; in short, it brings every thing to Christ, and brings Christ into every thing in the believer’s experience, so that he really becomes “ALL and in all.”

Do not forget, beloved, that the “trying of your faith,” is the method God ordinarily takes to increase it, therefore, “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you; but consider afflictions as answer to prayer, when the Lord increases your faith by them. Every trial will be abundantly compensated, if your experience entitles you to the apostolic congratulation, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith grow-eth exceedingly.”

Praying that this may be the effect of all your trials, I subscribe myself,

Yours, &c. affectionately,
As a member of the household of faith,

Like precious faith, oh! may my soul obtain!
And by it live upon the Son of God.
‘Tis this alone brings heavenly blessings near—
O’ercomes the world—explores the sacred mines
Of cov-nant love—and full salvation claims.
A VICTOR of renown, whose potent hand
Subdues each foe,—gains liberty divine—
And in its train, brings glory, joy, and peace.
‘Tis precious faith which solves all mysteries—
Sees through the darkest cloud—makes sorrow light—
And walks, and works, and justifies the soul.
Such is the faith of God’s elect, and such
Its grand exploits in all the chosen race.
‘Tis God the Father’s gift—Christ is its strength—
And all its acts are by the Holy Ghost,
Dear “LORD, INCREASE MY FAITH.”

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