The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-01-24
Moral Readings,
Joy and Peace in Believing.

SuHded That lie is able 10 keep That trjiich / hare
committed unto Him against that day."-2 Tim.
j. II.
The writer is strongly impressed with the
conviction, that the peace ofmany true chill
dren of God is here destroyed for want of
knowledge;' and that the effort should be
made to present 10 such minds, in the most
striking point ofview, the paternal character
of God, the boundless love of Christ, and the
unutterable tenderness of the Holy Ghost,
! the "Comiorter.n We are slowto believe the
whole truth, respecting these great fountains
ofour peace; and yet we are bound To be-
| lieve every jot and title of the gracious nssur-
ances ofGod's Word. 1t is highly probable
! that doubtng, and consequently unhappy
professors ofreligion, are disposed to think
that their doubts are evidences of humility
proofs conclusive, that they are not presrmp-
tuous persons; but where, il may be asked, is
the humility ofrefiIsing to credit what God
has spolSen and where is the presumption in
placing the confidence ofthe mind Just where
God has directed il 10 be placed? There is
no humility in refusing to believe, to the ut
most, ust what God promises: and there is
no presumption in committing the soul, who'll
ly, To the bosom of Christ The most truly
humble is the spiritually instructed believer;
the farihercst removed from presumption is
the soul, which casts itself entirely upon tie
merits ofChrist for salvation. Believe, O
thou anxious one, believe in Jesus! "All
things are possible to him who bcIievcth."
Perhaps it may be asked, what IL the duty
specially cnioncd in these words orScripturc?
Is il not precisely what II. Paul is understood
to express in his memorable words above
quoted; when ho speaks ofknowing in whom
he believed, and of the persuasion which
sprang up in his mind?
First, he kne'o Christ; that he was the Mes
siah. He also klelr, that the Messiah was
Divine being, "thc Everlasting Father, the
mighty Cod" and moreover that he was hui
man, Dlvid's son, us well as David's Lord!
lie kne,C that the son of Mary. was that
very Mcssiah-lnd that in Bethlehem He
was born-and on Calvary He was crucificd.
Tie knerc the Offices crChrist-such, for in
Stancc. rs that lie fulfilled the law, and did
so in orr stead; that He died on the cross,and
thus gave his life a ransom iorus his life tor
our lii;,--iIis blood, for orr blood-ard thus
brought in an everlasting righteousness.
He kReic that Christ conSecrated the grave,
and overcams its power, rsingas He predict
ed He would, and tina, He subsequently, pierre
ed the Heavens in His ascension; and thus
opened to us bright living way into the holy
place on high, where He ever liveth, at Gods
right hand, exalted, Prince and Savior
All of these things II. Paul &nei0, and reader,
do not YOU also? If YOU have any doubt
here, go and examine the evidences of the
gcuuineness, authenticity, and inspiration of
the Bible; and then read the inspired Word,
with holy confidence, as true record. The
province of reason is TO prove the Bible true
the province Of faith is TO believe this body
OF truth Secondly. 81. Paul believed. that is,
solcmuly entrusted his life, his soul, his dear
as; interests for eternity, to this SSayior,whom
he thus knew. He was assured ofthc rcali-
" of his belief, how answer; first bya dis
tinct consciousness oftLe fact in his own
mind
Lord, It's enough; see, yield,
BE thou my righteousness, my shield;
Infinite grace and truth are thine.
Adoring gratitude, henceiorth be mine.
| Secondly, ST. Paul had proof of his faith, in
| that it constrained and it swayed his whole
lie. 1t had taken him from the feet ofGam-
aliel, and sent him missionary Of tho cross
10 Arabia, Judea, Asia Minor, and over coun-
try after country, even to the Isles Of the
west.
Thirdly, it gave him ,mSpe1krJic com fort; fill
ing his mind with JOY and peace in believing,
and causing him to cYclnim, 80 the height
and depth, the length aud breadth of the love
Of God in Christ Jesus"
Now, from this kno,c'cRge of Christ, which
the apostle had and from The act If trust, or
faith in the Savior thus known, sprang the
persuasion that He Christ was able to keep
that which the apostle entrusted TO him. st.
Paul perceived the ability of Christ as Saw
or,-as God, lie was mighty TO save--as
man, EIe was tender in pity. "Made sim"
He died as our paschal lamb. Bured-risen
-ulori6p1 IIn for ne and boS rpDp
to take possession for his people, who here
after are to be where he is. Reader, knowcst
thou not these things? dost thou not believe
them also? then surely, you too, like st. Paul
may have the same persuasion, ''even JOY and
peace in believing" o! doubt not the i'm
mensity-the unsearchahle depth of Christ's
love to sinners, or his willingness to under
take for them, the security ofthoireternal in
terests. Rend the heart away from unbelief
and yield it as it is 10 Christ. His blood
"cleanseth from all sin."-B Bishop Johns.