hall their unbelief make God's promise of eternal life of none
effect? God forbid; yea let God be true but every man a liar. "For he
hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might have mercy upon
all."

We have now noticed the two covenants--the _law and gospel_--have
pointed out the distinction between them--shown that all _conditions_
are confined to the law, and that the gospel is _unconditional_, and
justly requires our faith and confidence. We will now bring to view
the scripture doctrine of salvation by faith, and show that divine
truth must have an existence before we can be called upon to believe.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is based upon eternal
and unchanging truth. Truth is one of the attributes of Jehovah and
the unshaken pillar that supports the throne of eternity. In truth and
righteousness he governs the world, and by an omnipotent arm wields
the destinies of men. Truth is the sun of divine revelation pouring
its beams on intelligent creation and calling upon all men to believe.
If a man assert that which does exist, it is a truth; but if he assert
that which does not exist, it is a falsehood. Whatever has an
existence in the compass of reality is a truth to be believed, and
whatever has no such existence is a falsehood not to be believed. It
is beyond the power of man to create one solitary divine truth. All
that he can do is to declare the existence of that which may be hidden
from others, or relate some circumstances respecting that which does
absolutely exist. An absolute truth must, therefore, be presented to
the understandings of men before they can be called upon to believe
it, or before they can be called believers for embracing it, or
_unbelievers_ for rejecting it. No man can be an unbeliever for
rejecting that which does not exist.

We now commence plain argument by using great plainness of speech. In
preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ truth must be the foundation. If
then truth must exist before men can be called upon to believe, the
question arises what is that truth which the second covenant reveals
for the belief of mankind? Answer, it is the record God hath given of
his Son. But what is the _record_? Let John answer--"this is the
record, God hath given us _eternal life_, and this life is in his
Son." It then follows that we are to believe that God has given us
eternal life in his Son before the world began, and unchangeably
promised it. Paul says--"In hope of