ive this son the impression
that the obtaining of this fortune depends on his _believing_, and not
on the _testament record, and faithfulness_ of his father. In fact, he
denies the existence of the father's _will_, and the _record_, and
requires the son to believe a lie so as to create the truth. The
servant does not understand his message, and the son does not know on
what certainty to rest for the money.

In the same manner we are called upon to secure an _interest_--an
eternal life in the Saviour. They will not admit its existence till we
believe. Then _belief_ must create it. But may we spend our last
breath in convincing poor sinners that it is already secured in Christ
for them, so that they may believe, and live by faith on the son of
God.

This father sends another messenger. He tells this son of the goodness
of his father, and that he has _willed_ him five thousand dollars,
that the _will_ is put on record, and that this fortune will be put
into his possession in two years. The son does not believe it. Now he
is an unbeliever. But does his unbelief alter the truth of the _will_
or of the record. No. The certainty, of his obtaining the money, rests
on the faithfulness of his kind parent. This servant perseveres, uses
convincing arguments and the son at length believes he is saved by
faith from all his miseries, and he rejoices with joy unspeakable. But
his _believing_ does not make the record any more true than it was
before he believed it. It simply alters his present condition by
kindling in his bosom the joys arising from faith and anticipation.--
We have now answered the objections that would naturally be brought
forward by those who believe that our eternal salvation is predicated
on conditions. As _works_ are not the requirements of the gospel only
so far as they flow from faith in the truth, and as _faith_ must
precede works, therefore the truth of our eternal life in Christ, must
exist previous to our believing. Consequently all conditions are
excluded from the gospel covenant.

We will now meet the objector on the doctrine of election and
reprobation, the substance of which is as follows--After man fell, God
was pleased to provide a Saviour for a part of the human family. That
elect number he chose in Christ before the foundation of the world,
gave them eternal life in him, and for them only he tasted death. The
gospel is now to be preached to the whole world, and as long as they
reject it, they are