SERM. ΧΙ. The answer to that enquirie is in the text. Believe on the Lord Jesus Chrift, and thou shalt be saved. That is, "Believe in "Jesus Chrift, as a divine teacher, and re"ceive the doctrine taught by him, and you " will know, how you may be faved. Ob" serve and follow the precepts and rules " of that doctrine, and you will obtain sal"vation." The former may be thought the primarie and most obvious meaning of the words: but the later is also implied. The question is: What must I do to be saved. The answer is: Believe on the Lord Jesus Chrift: and thou shalt be saved. That is, you will know what you ought to do in order to obtain falvation: You will have all the means of salvation, every thing requisite for your direction and assistance. Consequently, if you observe and follow the rules contained in the religion of Jesus Chrift, you will be faved. There are therefore three things to be spoken to. First, the direction here given : Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, the benefit propofed, and annexed thereto: And thou shalt be saved. Thirdly, the connection nection between faith in Jesus Christ and sal- SERM. vation, with the evidence of it. I. In the first place I should shew, what is meant by believing on the Lord Jesus Chrift. One thing plainly implied is, believing him to be a divine teacher, fent from God: and that he is the Christ, or the Meffiah, the great person spoken of by the Prophets, and whom God had promised to send. This we may learn by comparing some texts in the Gospels. In the fixteenth of St. Matthew is an account, how our Lord asked the disciples concerning the opinions, which men had of him, and then their own. And when Peter answered, for himself, and the rest: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God; he commended him, and declared him blessed. Again John vi. 68. 69. Peter answered, and said: Lord, to whom should we go? Thou haft the words of eternal life. And we believe, and are fure, that thou art that Christ, the Son of the Living God. John xi. 37. Martha says: Yea Lord, I believe, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, ΧΙ. 1 SERM. God, which should come into the world. And John xvi. 30. the disciples say: By this John vi. 28. 29. Then said they unto him : And it is often taken notice in the Gofpels, that many believed on Jefus, but the Pharifees believed not: that is, they did not re : receive him, as a Prophet, or the great Pro- SERM. phet, that was to come into the world. 2. Another thing, included in faith in Christ, is believing his words, receiving the doctrine taught by him, or believing the Christian religion. This is so closely connected with the foregoing particular, that they feem to be both one and the fame: and, certainly, are infeparable. He who believes, that Jesus is sent of God, and the Christ, must believe that his words are true. However, I prefume, it is not amiss, to observe this distinctly. Our Lord, who, as before shewn, often speaks of believing in him, whom God had fent, does also frequently speak of believing, or receiving his words. For he had a doctrine. He was a Prophet, or a teacher fent from God. And receiving his doctrine is believing in him. What it was, we perceive from the historie of his life, writ by the Evangelifts. In general, it was: Repent. Or, Repent, and believe the gospel. And to such as received, and obeyed that doctrine, he promiseth everlasting life. John vii. 16. 17. Jesus answered them, and said: My doctrine is not mine, but his that XI. SERM. that fent me. If any man will do his will, be XI. Shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether 1 speak of my-self. John xiv. 24. The word, which you bear, is not mine: but the Father's, which fent me. Many of the Jews could not receive his words, because of their prevailing prejudices, and car 8. Ver. 68. nal affections. Of the disciples he says: John xvii. I have given unto them the words, which thou gavest me : And they have received them, and have believed, that thou didst send me. ...vi. 63. Again he says: The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. And because he had the words of eternal life, the disciples believed in him, and determined to abide with him. And knowing the truth and importance of the doctrine, taught by Mark viii. him, he declares: Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words, now, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in the glorie of his Father, with the holy angels. 30. Believing in Christ is often expressed by coming to him. John v. 40. Ye will not come unto me, that ye might have life. And Mat. xi. 28. 29 Come unto me, all ye that labor and |