ALL the Old Testament words which we translate triumph, signify great joy, felt in the heart, and expressed outwardly in word or deed; a jubilee of joy, even joy in the highest, as near as it can be to the joy of heaven. In the New Testament the word is used but twice: first, for what Christ engaged to do for us; and secondly, for what Christ engaged to do in us. For as he undertook to fight our battles against all our enemies–sin, the world, Satan, death, and hell; and the Captain of our salvation has gained a complete victory, and had most glorious triumph over them in his own person–when he blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and he took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross: and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in that same cross. And he still goes on conquering and to conquer: by the preaching of his cross and passion, his resurrection and ascension, he is to this very day exalting the honours of his victory and triumph in the hearts and lives of his .redeemed, giving them such a share in his conquests, that they ought to be ever praising him with joyful lips–Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ.
This was the apostle's happy experience. He found that the gospel and his preaching of it, and the great success which attended it, were the fruits of Christ's. presence with him, and blessing upon him; therefore, to him he gave all the glory. So do we still. We see the triumphs of the cross spread far and wide, and we praise him for our day of gospel grace. The crucified Saviour in his majesty rides on prosperously in the chariots of salvation, and his enemies fall under him. In the day of his power, he makes them a willing people. They submit to his sceptre, and acknowledge him to be their Lord and their God. Under his banner they fight the good fight of faith, and they daily conquer; yea, they are more than conquerors through him who loveth them, crowned conquerors in glory everlasting.
Thus it appears that the triumph of the Head includes the triumph of his members. The fountain from whence springs their present, and their eternal joy, is God–God in Christ. They glory in the victories of the God-man, because of his commandment; because of his free pro-raise, which is a perfect warrant for the fullest confidence; and because of his goodness, truth, and power, which are bound to fulfil all his engagements. Looking to these infallible securities, the believer's heart is established, trusting in the Lord. Being of the true circumcision, he would put no confidence in the flesh, but would be daily crucifying it with its affections and lusts, and bringing all high thoughts of self to the obedience of Christ. If he has been long standing in the faith–an old Christian–if he has received much con-solution from his Lord, or has been very active and successful in his service, his trust is never in himself. The ground of his believing is always one and the same. He has no new doctrine to learn, no new warrant to encourage him to believe. The word of God,–Thus saith the Lord, is always sufficient; and ought to draw forth the fullest credit that can possibly be given to the testimony of the God of truth.
What was advanced before in the LIFE OF FAITH, and in the WALK OF FAITH, is taken for granted in the present treatise. There is no new doctrine. Salvation is in Christ Jesus, and in no other: I am, says he, THE TRUTH, the one saving truth; like himself, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. One Lord, one faith, one salvation. And whoever believes this aright, is in a safe state, in which there is no change with respect to God; no variableness, or shadow of turning. Whatever his own apprehensions may be, the word of the Lord endureth for ever. He may be tempted in a legal hour to cast away his confidence, but the counsel of the Lord shall stand, he may change, but I, saith God, change not: for the gracious gifts and calling of God are without repentance–they are such that it cannot repent him of bestowing them, or of continuing them, when once bestowed. As the believer has no new truth to learn, only to improve the principles of the doctrine of Christ, so he has no new title to expect. Under the free grant and gift of God, salvation comes to him of grace, in the most sovereign way that can be conceived. And his warrant to receive it is the divine command; and when he has been enabled to receive it by the obedience of faith, the divine promise assures him, that he shall not perish for his sins, but that he shall have everlasting life. Believing the promise is the best title that possibly can be to this salvation; for we are saved freely, by grace, through faith, and that not of ourselves, neither salvation nor faith; both are the gifts of God. And under the title all the blessings which accompany salvation are included, all the things which are freely given to us of God–a sufficiency of present grace, and the full possession of eternal glory.
This is the good old foundation upon which the heirs of promise have always built their faith and hope. They knew that all fulness was in Christ, for their use and enjoyment; and they were persuaded that they should honour hint most, by believing this with the strongest certainty. They could not trust too soon, nor too much to his faithfulness. And therefore they come boldly to the throne of grace that they may receive out of his fulness at all times, for all things, for body and soul, for earth and heaven, what they wanted, and what he had promised. The more they live thus by faith, they will experience more occasion to rejoice in the Lord; and to find that his arm to fulfil will always go as far as his promise, even to bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ.
This indeed is strong faith, but it is the gift of a strong God: it docs not depend, in the least, on what the believer can do for himself, but on what the Almighty has engaged to do for him, and in him, and by him: for he requires and commands it in this high degree: there is grace sufficient to bring it into use and practice, as far as the commands go, all things promised being possible to him that believeth: and they who have trusted most to the faithfulness of God, who against hope believed in hope, have experienced that God did never leave them, nor forsake them. He magnified his word above all his name. There he has made his name to shine forth, and all his attributes are magnified in their greatest perfection. The believers on earth, and the saints in heaven, praise God for his word: because it is the instrument of his Spirit, by which he bestows grace, and according to which he gives glory. The fulfilling of his word runs through time, and will run through eternity. Blessed be God for his word of promise: blessed be the Lord, that it will be fulfilling for ever and ever!
This being the case, it; becomes necessary to inquire into the divine records, and to see what a full warrant; God has given us to trust, and not be afraid, and this to every believer; there being the same ground to believe with the strongest faith, as to believe at all. This inquiry is the more necessary, because of the place which faith holds in our religion. It reaches to the whole of it: so that nothing is good before God, however fair and specious it may appear to men, without it. The conscience, the heart, and its affections, are purified only by faith. All duties, for their right motive, and for their acceptance, depend upon it without faith, it is impossible to please God. No trials and afflictions can be patiently and profitably endured, unless faith he in exercise. Our whole warfare is carried on, and can be, by our being strong in the Lord, and fighting in the power of his might, finished victoriously only by faith. Indeed it enters so much into everything wherein we have to do with God, that the strengthening of it is the strengthening of every other grace; which are weak or vigorous, according as more or less faith enters into them. And therefore the scripture encouragements for our growth in faith should be well will be present with us in all conditions–that he will give us his Holy Spirit–that when we confess our sins, and lay them open, he is merciful to forgive them–that if our sins were red as scarlet, they shall be as white as wool. What kind of incredible sweetness is in these, to a heart that is prepared for these comforts! The doctrines of reconciliation, of adoption, of glory to come, of the offices of Christ, and such like, how sweet are they! They relish wonderfully to a sanctified soul. These truths that come out of the mouth of Christ, and out of the ministry concerning Christ, they are most sweet of all. Oh! how sweet were these words to the poor man–THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN THEE! Do you think they went not to his heart? The best discovery of a true affection to Christ, and of a true state in grace, is from our affection to the word of Christ. Wherever there is an interest in Christ, there is a high respect to the word." A believer, trusting to these helps, and making a diligent use of these means, in reading the charter of grace, will find such a faith frequently described and required, as relies on the truth of God without doubt or wavering, as depends on his faithfulness to his promises, with the fullest confidence of the heart, and waits on his fulfilling them, steadfastly persuaded that he has spoken nothing with his mouth but what he will infallibly make good with his arm. All the gifts and graces of God come to us in his promises, and cannot be received or enjoyed but in the way of believing. What, then can be a greater encouragement not to stagger at any promise through unbelief, than that God has declared it is a service well pleasing and acceptable to him? It is high worship, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God: for it is a gift of his love, and a grace of his Spirit, and his own special work in the hearts of his people. In the day of his power, he makes them willing, and he enables them to set to their seal, that God is true. So we read–"By faith in Christ, Enoch walked with God, and he had this testimony, that he pleased God; but without this faith it is impossible to please him:" therefore Enoch's state, and his walk, and his translation, were all by faith. Now we know, that the judgment of God is according to truth, and he has declared in the word of truth, that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. So that it is impossible it should please a most; holy God, who has magnified his word above all his name, and who delights to see his people do the same, magnifying it, by giving it the fullest credit of their hearts, and the most perfect dependence of their lives.
He has also required this by his express command: this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ;, who has said, "Ye believe in God, believe also in me," with the same faith, and with the same worship. And when the jailer inquired of Paul and Silas–Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They answered–Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. And this belief is commanded in very trying circumstances, when the outward supports of faith seem to fail, and the inward comforts are at a very low ebb: "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light: let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God,"–his God still· That relation is always the same; and so are the blessings which are included in it, and which he cannot fail to bestow upon them who honour his word in such trials of their faith, that against hope they believe in hope; for blessed are all they who put their trust in him.
For the further confirmation of their faith, he has strengthened his commands with the most encouraging promises of grace to help in every time of need. Ask, and ye shall have–for he giveth to all askers liberally, and upbraideth not, tome they ever so often, or ask ever so much; yea, our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him; and his influence gees as far as any promise, for he is the mighty power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Whatever is promised, he is almighty, to fulfil. So we read, when our Lord cursed the barren fig-tree, the apostles marvelled that it presently withered away. Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Verily, I say unto you, if ye have faith and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig-tree, but also, if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done; and all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive:" for believing honours the truth of the promiser; and asking in prayer for the fulfilling of it engages and secures the promised grace.
The effectual fervent: prayer of a righteous man availeth much; so much, that the prayer of faith has opened and shut heaven; it has done wonders in removing mountains of' difficulties, and conquering hosts of foes, which rendered it seemingly impossible that the word of God should be established. But faith gained the victory, and triumphed gloriously. It has pleased God also to confirm all these arguments, by revealing the motive on which he made the promises. It was love. They are all free-grace promises. In his councils, in the revealing them, in the fulfilling them, love directs the whole. They are discoveries of what is in the Father's heart to his children, and are the means of conveying his fatherly blessings, especially such a persuasion of his love to then, as will work love to him; and they work by love. For we love him, because he first loved us: therefore he speaks to them comfortably, addressing himself to them m the tenderest compassion, and calling them by the dearest names–his chosen–his beloved–his adopted–his children–his friends–heirs, heirs of God–joint heirs with Christ, who is Lord of all–his peculiar treasure–his portion–these, and many other endearing names, are intended to convince them of his love, and to win engage their hearts in love to him: that when it is given them to believe the truth of his promises, they might be certain of their fulfilment.
God is love: he delighteth in his people. His heart; is so see upon them, that in his dealings with them, love has the appointing, the directing, and the blessing of all His love to them had no beginning, and it will have no end. It bestows on the happy objects of it, grace, and it secures to them glory. Love has crowned their Head; and love will crown all his members. For out; of his fulness they are most freely invited to come, and take all spiritual blessings, as the earnest of eternal. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon them! who can believe it, and not love him again!
It has pleased God also to give us some examples of his singular favour to them who acted strong faith, and to whom he therefore administered strong consolation. The apostle says, "That whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope." And then he prays, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that, ye may abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Ghost." And when the Holy Ghost gives it this blessed effect, he always fills the heart with gratitude and thankfulness. Thus it operated in the day when the believer was enabled to say, "O Lord! I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou hast comforted me. Behold! God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation; therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the fountain of salvation."
O what reviving cordials did the father of the faithful draw out of it! who against hope believed in hope, that he should become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken: "So shall thy seed be;" and being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform. For this heroic faith, he is celebrated in Scripture, and proposed to us for an example. One of his children was enabled to follow close the steps of his faith, through a life of continual and great sufferings, and to triumph in the prospect of a violent death. "I am now ready to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand: I have fought the good fight I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforeth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me in that day; and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing."
We have another example given us in the fifty-sixth Psalm. On whatever occasion the prophet indited it, the spirit of prophecy teaches us to apply it to the Son of David, who is Christ the Lord. It describes his great trials, and continual persecutions, and his invincible faith, by which he was carried through them, when all the world was against him. The whole Psalm is a prayer, made up of the most perfect trust and confidence in the faithfulness of God to his word, and he assures himself that heaven and earth shall pass away, before one jot or tittle of it could fail. He had enemies, many, mighty, cunning, cruel, united together to destroy him (Acts iv. 27), but his heart was established, trusting in the Lord. He read, he knew, he believed the promises made to him, and, without doubt or wavering, he waited for the fulfilling of them.
Thus he viewed the Father's covenant engagements, who had declared, "Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out, ho that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it, he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and I will hold thy hand, and I keep thee, and I will give thee for a covenant of the people," &e. On this rock he built his faith, and could not be moved. "The Lord God." says he, "hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back: I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting: for the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded; therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed: he is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me. Behold the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? Low they all shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up." What an undaunted courage is here manifested? In this spirit of faith he prays–
Be gracious unto me, O God! because fallen man would devour me: all the day long he is fighting against, me, and oppressing me: all the day long mine enemies would devour me; for they are many who fight against, me, O thou Most High! In the day, when I might have reason to fear, I will put my trust in thee: I shall praise God because of his word: in God I have put my trust, I will not fear what flesh can do unto me: all the day long they torture my words; all their devices are against me for evil; they assemble together; they hide themselves; they watch my steps, as if they were waking for my life: shall they escape for their wickedness? In thine anger, O God, thou wilt bring these people under: thou numberest my wanderings; thou hast put my tears into thy boggle; are they not recorded in thy register? In the day when I shall pray unto thee, then shall mine enemies be driven back: this I have known for certain, because God is on my side. I will praise God, because of his word: I will praise Jehovah, because of his word: in God have I trusted, I will not fear what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God! I will pay my thanksgivings unto thee; for thou hast delivered my life from death. Wilt thou not also keep my feet from falling, that I may be able to walk in the presence of God, in the light of life everlasting?"
O what a perfect trust and confidence is this! And how loudly does it call upon us to look to his example, that God would give us grace to follow the steps of his faith. Observe, O my soul, and consider the pattern set before thee. He had God on his side–the promises, the power, the providence of the Almighty. He knew that every step was marked, every tear noticed, and that God had them in the book of his remembrance. In this faith he met, his trials, and came off triumphant. Notwithstanding his many weary steps, and his strong crying and tears under that sorrow, which never had its like, yet he knew that he should be heard–and he was heard: his enemies fell before him; but they rose, and returned to the combat. Upon the word he casts his anchor again; he trusts to it; and he finds it firm and sure still.
The storm is great; it continues; it increases: all thy waves and storms, says he to his God, are gone over me. But, my soul, trust thou still in the Lord; for my hope is in him; his word is my stay; it cannot be broken; I praise him for it; again I praise him for it. Trusting in it, now my fears are gone. God is my helper, and I will not fear what man can do unto me. O what a pattern is hero set for us! May the meditation upon it be useful. May the gracious Lord, who is the author and the finisher of the faith, bless the means of his own appointing, for the strengthening of it; and in the use of them, looking up for the constant supplies of his Spirit may ho enable us to go on from strength to strength, keeping this example always in view, until ho bring us in peace unto the end of our faith.
These are some of the Scripture grounds upon which the triumph of faith is built. It stands upon the almighty pewee of God, as engaged to fulfil his word; for his word is his deed. To take him at his word is the proper exercise of faith. He hath promised, and it is done. To rest thus upon it, as what cannot possibly fail, is the foundation of Christian worship; and when it is established in the heart, in the love of the truth, it constitutes the chief of that service, which is perfect freedom; for God has declared himself well pleased with our trusting to his truth and faithfulness. He has commanded us to do it without doubt or wavering; ho has promised grace sufficient to enable us thus to believe, and we cannot put too much trust and confidence in his arm and power. And he has also given us examples of those who honoured him with the fullest reliance of their hearts, and had reason to rejoice in the Lord, who keepeth promise for ever.
Glory be to him for such encouragements of our faith! O that they may have their proper effect. May the Holy Ghost apply them by his grace, and give us such a faith as may be well-pleasing unto God; such a faith as he has commanded, and for the full exercise of which ho has made exceeding great promises. Help us, O God of all grace, to trust and not be afraid; for thou art faithful; thy word and thy promises give us full security to trust in the Lord at all times; because in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: and blessed are all they who put their trust in him.
But by what ways and means shall these arguments and encouragements have their full effect. This is the main point, and it is settled, beyond dispute, upon scripture authority. The same Spirit who revealed the promises, is also the fulfiller of them; and he is Almighty.
The blessing on the use of the means is entirely from him; it is he who teacheth man knowledge; and from him we are to seek it in prayer. With all our reading, hearing, studying, meditating, upon the Scriptures, we must look up to him for his divine teaching. If any of you, believers, lack wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all askers liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him; but let him ask in faith.
Here is a command and a promise. When we lack wisdom, which we always do, as much as we want breath, we are to ask it of the Spirit of wisdom, and it shall be given us. He will make us wise unto salvation; he will keep us in the use of means dependent on his leading us into all useful truth, and of his revealing to ns the things which are freely given to us of God, to show them to us as realities, and to put us into the enjoyment of them as blessings. In this dependance on him we live, and move, and have our being. Our spiritual life and faculties, and the exercise of them, and the improvement of them, are entirely from his influence; for the apostle, mentioning the several gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, says, "All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man his own gifts, according to his own will."
To him, then, we are to look up for every good gift, and every perfect gift. Whenever we open the Bible, we should ask his light, and his teaching, He is the chief Commentator. He only can put the Scriptures unto our inward parts, and write them upon our hearts, so that we may experience them to be the power of God into our own salvation. Our first reformers were of this sentiment, exhorting us to pray, that by the holy inspiration of God's Spirit, we may think those things that be good, and by his merciful guiding may perform the same. Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the Spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do anything that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Ninth Sunday after Trinity.)
As they prayed, so they sung; for we meet with two hymns, inserted by the reformers in the Common Prayer-Book, appointed to be sung at the ordaining of priests, and at the consecration of bishops. The first begins with these words–
"Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, And lighten with celestial fire," &c.
Out of the second I quote some verses, not for any excellency of the poetry, but for the soundness of the divinity expressed in these lines–
From those authorities, it appears to be the doctrine of the Scriptures, and of our reformers in harmony with them, that spiritual life, and knowledge, and faith in Christ, and hope in him, that maketh not ashamed, and holy love, with every godly motion of the heart, come from the holy inspiration of God the Spirit. It is from him that we understand the Scriptures, in the mind of the Spirit: it is from his grace that we grow in Scripture knowledge, and persevere in the use of means, and at the same time m a constant dependence on his presence in them, for the furtherance and joy of our faith He begins, he carries on, and he perfects our learning in his revealed word and will. O that he may make us and keep us good scholars, in au abiding sense of the necessity of his divine teaching: that the Spirit and the word may go together in our Bible studies and Bible experience; so that this may be the daily prayer of our faith:
O thou Spirit of wisdom and revelation, who has taught ns that secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to ns, and to our children for ever, open the eyes of our understanding, to understand what is revealed in the Scriptures for our use; dispose us to hear them, read them, and meditate on them, with profit; and help us to mix more faith with them, that they may become more precious; in every day's reading, grant that we may find them to be the ingrafted word, and that we are really branches grafted into the tree of life, and by the rain and shining of heaven enabled to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit abundantly. For all these blessings, keep us ever dependent on thy divine teaching, that our fruits may grow richer and riper–we may be more humble in our hearts, and more thankful in our lives; and so we, who can learn nothing as we ought without ghee, may by thy grace be made wise unto eternal salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus–To whom, with thee, O Father! and thee, O Holy Spirit! be equal honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.