EPHES. ii. 8. _By grace ye are saved through faith._ 1. ALL the blessings which God hath bestowed upon man are of his mere grace, bounty or favour: his free, undeserved favour; favour altogether undeserved; man having no claim to the least of his mercies. It was free grace that _formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into him a living soul_, and stamped on that soul the image of God, and _put all things under his feet_. The same free grace continues to us, at this day, life and breath, and all things. For there is nothing we are, or have, or do, which can deserve the least thing at God’s hand. _All our works thou, O God, hast wrought in us._ These, therefore, are so many more instances of free mercy. And whatever righteousness may be found in man, this is also the gift of God. 2. Wherewithal then shall a sinful man atone for any the least of his sins? With his own works? No. Were they ever so many or holy, they are not his own, but God’s. But indeed they are all unholy and sinful themselves, so that every one of them needs a fresh atonement. Only corrupt fruit grows on a corrupt tree. And his heart is altogether corrupt and abominable; being _come short of the glory of God_, the glorious righteousness at first impress’d on his soul, after the image of his great Creator. Therefore, having nothing, neither righteousness nor works to plead, his _mouth is_ utterly _stopt before God_. 3. If then sinful men find favour with God, it is _grace upon grace_. If God vouchsafe still to pour fresh blessings upon us, yea, the greatest of all blessings, _salvation_; what can we say to these things, but _thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift_! And thus it is. Herein _God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died_ to save us. _By grace then are ye saved through faith._ Grace is the source, faith the condition, of salvation. Now, that we fall not short of the grace of God, it concerns us carefully to enquire, I. What faith it is through which we are saved? II. What is the salvation which is through faith? III. How we may answer some objections. I. What faith it is through which we are saved? 1. And first, It is not barely the faith of an Heathen. Now God requireth of a Heathen to believe, _That God is_; _that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him_; and that he is to be sought by _glorifying him as God, by giving him thanks_ for all things; and by a careful practice of moral virtue, of justice, mercy and truth toward their fellow creatures. A _Greek_ or _Roman_ therefore, yea, a _Scythian_ or _Indian_, was without excuse if he did not believe thus much; The being and attributes of God, a future state of reward and punishment, and the obligatory nature of moral virtue. For this is barely the faith of a Heathen.