Now if our faith is not created by the word and God's name, what else can it be but a self-work ? in short, a vain imagination ? The certainty of our faith depends on the certainty of the testimony which creates it. God's name and promises are the testimony of our faith ; which are immovable. If God ever had intended that some good act, or disposition in us, should be the condition of our salvation, he would not have prescribed faith as such, but charity, because charity is greater than faith, I. Cor. 13, 13, and resembles himself ; 'for God is love.' I. John, 4, 8. Faith saves, not because it is a good meritorious work, or that it possesses something of itself ; but because, like the beggar, it receives the free, unmerited gift from God, the great benefactor. Though this receiving of the gift is not a meritorious work, yet how exceedingly rich we are made thereby. See Romans 4, Galla. 3. Where faith is, there certainly God must be, who offers unto us his only begotten Son–' If God be for us, who can be against us ?' He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.' Rom. 8, 31, 32. Faith is joined to baptism ; hence there must also be the gift, that is, the Son of God, who is to be received. And if we enjoy the Son of God by faith, how infinitely great must be our inheritance ! Our faith will then produce many good fruits : ' It looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.' Cant. 6, 10.

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