Hamilton engaged in other public disputations besides this. As faith in Christ and justification by faith is the principle which distinguishes Protestantism from other Christian systems, he felt bound to establish the nature, importance, and influence of that doctrine. He believed that faith is born in a man’s heart when, as he hears or reads the Word of God, the Holy Spirit bears witness in his heart to the main truth which is found in it, and shows him with clear proof that Jesus is really an almighty Saviour. Faith was for the young Scotchman a divine work, which he carefully distinguished from a faith merely human. On this subject he laid down and defended the following propositions:--‘He who does not believe the Word of God, does not believe God himself. Faith is the root of all that is good; unbelief is the root of all evil. Faith makes friends of God and of man; unbelief makes enemies of them. Faith lets us see in God a father full of gentleness; unbelief presents him to us as a terrible judge. Faith sets a man steadfast on a rock; unbelief leaves him constantly wavering and tottering. To wish to be saved by works is to make a man’s self his saviour, instead of Jesus Christ. Wouldst thou make thyself equal with God? Wouldst thou refuse to accept the least thing from him without paying him the value of it?’ Fryth, who doubtless took part in the discussion, was so much struck with these theses that he translated them into English, and by that means they have come down to us. ‘The truths which Hamilton expounded are such,’ said he, ‘that the man who is acquainted with them has the _pith_ of all divinity.’[57] ‘This little treatise is short,’ said others who listened to him, ‘but in effect it comprehendeth matter able to fill large volumes.’[58] Yes, Christ is the author of redemption, and faith is the eye which sees and receives him. There are only these two things: Christ sacrificed and the eye which contemplates him. The eye, it is true, is not man’s only organ; we have besides hands to work, feet to walk, ears to hear, and other members more for our service. But none of all these members can see, but only the eye.[59] [Sidenote: HAMILTON’S THESES.]