from A VIEW OF SAVING FAITH by John Colquhoun 

 

Saving faith is inestimably precious. The apostle Peter styles it, "precious faith," 2 Peter 1:1. The grace of faith, is far more precious than gold. This perishes by using; but that increases by exercise. The very least measure of it, is so inexpressibly valuable, as not to be obtained for gold. They who possess it, how poor soever they may be, in this world, are rich, and heirs of a heavenly kingdom, James 2:5; "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." The very trial of faith, is much more precious than that of gold; for the trial of our faith "worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed." Whilst it was purchased for us, at an infinite price, it is our obedience to God's first, and great commandment. By means of it, we attain a personal interest in a precious Saviour, in his precious blood, his precious grace, and his great and precious promises. It is a receiving of Christ, with all his righteousness and fulness; and, therefore, it is eminently honorable, and pleasing to God. It gives the highest honor to the Son, and, therefore, must be highly acceptable to the Father. By believing cordially what God hath spoken, and that, because He hath said it, faith gives to him the glory of his truth. And, how precious is it, to the believer himself! By faith, he is indissolubly united to the Lord Jesus, (Ephesians 3:17). By faith he is justified, (Romans 5:1). By faith he is adopted, (Galatians 3:26). By faith he is sanctified, (Acts 26:18). By faith he lives, Galatians (2:20). By faith he stands, (2 Cor. 2:24). By faith he walks, (2 Cor. 5:7). By faith he fights, (1 Timothy 6:12). By faith he overcomes, (1 John 5:4). By faith he is saved, (Ephesians 2:8). By faith he is comforted, (1 Peter 1:8). And in faith he dies, (Hebrews 11:13). O, that the reader may have this precious faith; that it may grow exceedingly in him; and that he may "continue in the faith, grounded and settled!"