Such an effort for salvation supposes the bent, or bias of the mind to be inclined towards God, and his glory. And certain it is, that the work, or act of believing, depends so much upon the moral state of the man, that although he may assent to every article of faith, and desire an interest in the advantages of religion, he never believes with the heart in the sense above mentioned, until this charge has been wrought in him. On this account faith may well be denominated the work or gift of God, for he only, according to the scriptures can effect this change. Yet it is not because there is any defect in the evidence of these important truths; nor because of any natural, that is physical, defect of the intellectual powers of man, that he does not believe the Divine revelation; but because his affections are pre-occupied, and his inclinations directed into another channel, whereby he is unwilling to apply himself unto these truths, and is prejudiced against the holiness, which is required, and the self denial that is necessary to attain the blessings of salvation. Footnote 62: Faith, according to the beloved disciple John, and the great St. Paul, is the _belief of the truth_; the _believing that Jesus is the Christ_; or a giving _credit to the record that God gave of his Son_. These definitions are all of the same import, and are all divine. Being dictated by the Spirit of God, they cannot be contradicted by any, although some have glossed upon them, till they have brought in a sense diverse from the inspired writers. This faith, when it is _real_, as distinguished from that uninfluential assent to the gospel, which crowds, who hear it, profess to have, is an effect of the _divine influence in us_; hence it is said to be _of the operation of God_; and that it is _with the heart_ man believeth unto righteousness. As the righteousness by which the sinner is justified, is the sole work of Christ _for him_, so this is the work of the Holy Ghost _in him_, and no less necessary in its proper place; it being that, without which a sinner cannot apprehend, receive, and rest upon Christ for eternal life. By faith, as before observed, he becomes acquainted with the glories of the character of Jesus, the fulness of grace in him, and the suitableness and perfection of his righteousness; in consequence of this faith, he admires the Saviour’s personal excellencies, flies to him, ventures all upon him, and rejoices in him. These, to speak plainly, are all so many effects of faith. The sinner must have a view of the Saviour’s excellency, _before_ he will admire it. He must be persuaded, that Christ is the only safe refuge, _before_ he will _fly_ to him. He must know that there is in Christ sufficient matter of consolation, _before_ he will _rejoice_ in him. Of all these he is entirely satisfied _by faith_ in