life in Christ to every man? No, says the objector. Very well, then
they cannot be called upon to believe it. Finally, says the objector,
grant that he has. This being granted, we would ask, whether they will
not come in possession of it, if God's promise stands? Certainly. But,
replies the objector, it is not theirs, till they believe. Then the
record is not true till they believe it; because, on this principle,
they must first believe, that they have eternal life in Christ before
it exists, and believing this lie will create it.

But, replies the objector, it is impossible that any man has eternal
life given him in Christ, till he believes. We then ask, what truth do
you wish him to believe, so that he may obtain this eternal life? The
fact is, there is none. He must believe _this truth_, itself because
it is the record, but this, you have taken from him. You cannot call
upon a man to believe, till you admit the existence of that very truth
you wish him to believe. In order fully to expose the inconsistency of
this conditional salvation, we will introduce an example. Suppose a
father tell his servant, I have a son in London, nineteen years of
age, who is in poverty and distress. I have given him in my will five
thousand dollars, and I promise that it shall be put into his
possession in two years. It is recorded and that record is true. Go my
servant, and proclaim to him glad tidings of great joy, and call upon
him to believe, so that he may enjoy a salvation by faith during those
two years of suspense, and be made happy even amidst his wants by
looking forward to when it shall be put into his possession.

The servant sets out on his mission, and believes that he understands
his errand. Being arrived, he addresses him as follows--Son, your
father is very rich, and he has not willed you five thousand dollars,
nor given it to you on record; and he never will, unless you _first
believe_ that he has. But, replies the son, according to your message,
if I should believe that he has given me five thousand dollars, I
should believe a lie. Let my father give the money, deposit it in some
bank; send me evidence of the fact, and with joy I will believe him.
Well replies the servant you are a disobedient, stubborn unbeliever!
Because, if you would only believe so, it would be so, and you would
have the money in two years.

You perceive (dear reader) that this servant has presented no truth
for this son to believe. He wishes to g