2. Faith may be farther considered, as denoting an act of trust or dependence on him, who is the object thereof. This is very distinct from the former sense of the word: for though it supposes indeed an assent of the understanding to some truth proposed; yet this truth is of such a nature, as that it produces in us a resting or reliance on one who is able, and has expressed a willingness to do us good; and whose promise relating hereunto, is such, as we have ground to depend on. This supposes in him, who is the subject thereof, a sense of his own weakness or indigence, and in him that is the object of it, a fitness to be the object of trust, for his attaining relief: thus the sick man depends upon the skill and faithfulness of the physician, and determines to look no farther for help, but relies on his prescriptions, and uses the means that he appoints for the restoring of his health; or, as when a person is assaulted by one who threatens to ruin him, and is able to do it, as being an over-match for him, he has recourse to, and depends on the assistance of one that is able to secure and defend him, and thereby prevent the danger that he feared. Thus Jehoshaphat, when his country was invaded by a great multitude of foreign troops, being apprehensive that he was not able to withstand them; he exercises this faith of reliance on the divine power, when he says, _We have no might against this great company, that come against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee_, 2 Chron. xx. 12. And God is very often, in scripture, represented as the object of trust: so the church says, _I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength_; and elsewhere, _he that walketh in darkness and hath no light_, Isa. xii. 2. that is, knows not which way to turn, is helpless and destitute of all comfort, is encouraged to _trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God_, chap. l. 10. This is truly and properly a divine faith, and accordingly an act of religious worship; and is opposed to a _trusting in man, and making flesh his arm_, Jer. xvii. 5. and it supposes a firm persuasion, that God is able to do all that for us which we stand in need of; and that he has promised that he will do us good, and that he will never fail nor forsake them that repose their trust or confidence in him: with this view the soul relies on his perfections, seeks to him for comfort, and lays the whole stress of his hope of salvation on him, not doubting concerning the event hereof, but concluding himself safe, if he can say, that _the eternal God is his refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms_, Deut. xxxiii. 27. This leads us,