“For in Christ, Jesus I have begotten you, through the gospel. 1 Cor. iv. 15.  We are regenerated by the incorruptible “seed of the word.” [Note 5] We are sanctified by “the truth.”  In short, our call, [Note 6] our convictions, [Note 7] regeneration, our faith, our sanctification, [Note 8] our preservation [Note 9] and salvation, [Note 10] are all produced by the word or truth, and it must be the grand means of grace. [Note 11]

This truth, contained in God’s Word, is therefore fully adequate to the production of all the progressive changes, by which we pass from the condition of the careless sinner to that of the advanced and sanctified believer.

III.  The stage of progress in this moral renovation which in requisite before the returning sinner is morally qualified for pardon or justification, is that implied by a living faith.  This justifying faith may be defined to be, “that voluntary act of the illuminated and evangelically penitent sinner, by which he confides in the mercy of God through Christ for salvation, on the terms offered in the gospel.” [Note 12] A more historical faith implies no such preparation, nor the more intellectual belief of the reality and truth of the statements of God’s Word, whilst the heart is estranged from him; for with such a faith the devils believe and tremble but remain devils still.  Nor does the state of the convicted, or penitent, or seeking, but yet unconverted sinners furnish such moral preparation to receive pardon.  Evidently nothing short of living faith will satisfy the representations of God’s Word and the nature of the case.  Whenever the returning sinner exercises the first act of this living faith, he is justified, that is, then God performs that judicial or forensic act, by which a believing sinner, in consideration of the merits of Christ, is released from the penalty of the divine law, and is declared to be entitled to heaven. [Note 13] In this state of justification the believer continues through life, unless he by voluntary transgression falls from a state, of grace and becomes a backslider.

IV. The evidence of this pardon or justification, to the believer himself, is within his own heart:—­

(a) It is that peace of God, or sense of pardoned sin, wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit.  “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Rom. v. 1.

(b) “The love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. [Note 14]

(c) It is the testimony of “the Spirit bearing witness with our spirits that we are children of God.” [Note 15] “He that believeth hath the witness in himself.” [Note 16]

(d) It is the fruit of the Spirit, exhibited in the believer’s life, “which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” [Note 17]