the testimony of God: subsequent to which is his _coming_, or _flying_ to him, _trusting_ in, or _venturing_ all upon him, _rejoicing_ in him, &c. e. g. Joseph’s brethren heard that there was corn enough in Egypt; they believed the report: this was faith; upon this they went down for a supply. Doubtless this was an _effect_ of their faith; for had they not believed the tidings, they would never have gone. So a sinner must _believe_ that Christ is a full and complete Saviour, _before_ he will _run_ or _fly_ to him. Sense of misery, and faith in his sufficiency, are the main stimulus. Or, I am sick, I hear of an able physician, I believe him to be so, upon which I apply to him: my _application_ to him, and my _belief_ of his character, are as distinct as any two things can be: my _trusting_ my life in his hands, is an effect of my _believing_ him to be an able physician. This distinction is obvious in the sacred writings, as well as in the nature of things. _He that_ cometh _to God, must_ believe _that he is_. Here is a manifest distinction between _coming_ and _believing_. I apprehend that the same distinction should be observed, between _believing_ in Christ, and _receiving_ him. If so, it will follow, that “to receive Christ in all his offices, as a prophet, a priest, and a king,” is not properly _faith_, but an _effect_ of it, and inseparably connected with it. It is certain that a man must believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that he sustains these offices, before he can or will receive him in this light. Christ _came unto his own_ (meaning the Jews) _but his own received him not_. This refusing to _receive_ him was not unbelief, but an effect of it. Hence should you be asked, why they did not receive him? The answer is ready, _because_ they did not believe him to be the Christ. Nothing is more plain than that unbelief was the grand _cause_ why they rejected him. On the other hand, nothing is more evident, than that _receiving_ Christ, is an effect of _believing_ in him. And should you ask the man who defines faith, “a receiving Christ in all his offices,” why he thus receives him? he himself will be obliged to observe this distinction; for the only just answer he can give you is, “_because I believe_ he sustains them.”