Faith, according to the scriptural account, is the eye of the new-born soul. Hereby every true believer in God, _seeth him who is invisible_. Hereby (in a more particular manner, since life and immortality have been brought to light by the gospel) he _seeth the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ_; and, _beholdeth what manner of love it is, which the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we_ (who are born of the Spirit) _should be called the sons of God_. It is the ear of the soul, whereby a sinner _hears the voice of the Son of God and lives_; even that voice which alone wakes the dead, _Son, thy sins are forgiven thee_. It is (if I may be allowed the expression) the palate of the soul: for hereby a believer _tastes the good word, and the powers of the world to come_; and _hereby he both tastes and sees that God is gracious_, yea, _and merciful to him a sinner_. It is the feeling of the soul, whereby a believer perceives, thro’ the _power of the Highest over-shadowing him_, both the existence and the presence of him, in whom _he lives, moves, and has his being_; and indeed the whole invisible world, the entire system of things eternal. And hereby, in particular, he feels _the love of God shed abroad in his heart_. *8. _By this faith we are saved_ from all uneasiness of mind, from the anguish of a wounded spirit, from discontent, from fear, and sorrow of heart, from that inexpressible listlessness and weariness, both of the world and of ourselves, which we had so ♦helplessly laboured under for many years; especially when we were out of the hurry of the world, and sunk into calm reflection. In this we find that love of God, and of all mankind, which we had elsewhere sought in vain. This we know and feel, and therefore cannot but declare, saves every one that partakes of it, both from sin and misery, from every unhappy and every unholy temper. ♦ “helplesly” replaced with “helplessly” “Soft peace she brings, wherever she arrives, She builds our quiet, as she forms our lives; Lays the rough paths of peevish nature even, And opens in each breast a little heaven.” 9. If you ask, “Why then have not all men this faith? All at least who conceive it to be so happy a thing? Why do they not believe immediately?” We answer, (on the scripture hypothesis) _It is the gift of God_. No man is able to work it in himself. It is a work of Omnipotence. It requires no less power thus to quicken a dead soul, than to raise a body that lies in the grave. It is a new creation; and none can create a soul anew but he who at first created the heavens and the earth.