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 eternal life which God that cannot lie promised before the world began.”  If we believe the record, we are in the scriptures recognized as believers and are saved by faith, and will of course exhibit in our life and conversation the righteousness of faith.

The great error of any who read the Bible, consists in supposing there is but one salvation.  But there are two.  The first is a special salvation by belief in the promise, and the second is our eternal salvation beyond the grave, where we shall be brought to the knowledge of the truth involved in the promise, and to know shall be life eternal.  Faith shall then be lost in certainty.  Now if