Study Desk

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has given us access by faith to that degree of favour, we are in, by which we triumph in the hopes of divine glory.

What shall we hence conclude? that the Gentiles who sought not after justice, have obtained justice, even to that which is by faith:

why? because they sought it not by faith, but indeed by the works of the law: for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone;

but the justification which is by faith, speaks in this manner; "say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven, in order to bring Christ down from above?

what does it say "more? the word is nigh thee, let it be in thy mouth and in thy heart:" that is the word of faith which we preach.

'tis true, faith comes by preaching, and preaching is by the divine appointment.

well, be it so, for their incredulity they were broken off, and you by faith stand firm: be not then elated, but let this be your fear,

and by the writings of the prophets (according to the commandment of the eternal God) made known to all the Gentiles, to induce them to obey the faith:

that your faith might not be owing to human wisdom, but to the divine influence.

who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye have received faith according to the divine gifts imparted to each of them?

to another faith; to another the gifts of healing;

and tho' I should have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and tho' I had all the faith necessary to remove mountains, and had no benevolence, it would signify nothing.

and now faith, hope, social virtue, these three will all remain; but the most permanent of the three is social virtue.

and if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is empty talk, and your faith even meer amusement.

and if Christ was not raised, your faith is meer illusion, your sins are not yet forgiven.

Be upon the watch, stand firm in the faith, behave your selves like men of fortitude:

not that I would arbitrarily prescribe what you should believe, but rather encourage you to go on: for 'tis by faith you have stood.

Having by the same spirit the same faith as David had when he said, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken:" I also believe, and therefore I speak;

that as you excel in every thing, in faith, in language, mystical knowledge, in all virtue, and in your affection to us; I hope you will excel too in this charitable disposition.