JUDE. V. 3.-It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. WERE the apostle who wrote this epistle now on the earth, he would hardly find cause to complain, that there is not contention enough in the Christian Church; or that existing controversies are not conducted with sufficient earnestness; though he might not always approve of the ground of contention. And if any one has an inclination to engage in theological warfare, he may have an ample field for the exercise of his powers. Among the divisions and subdivisions of sects and parties, he may find abundant opportunity to exhibit his controversial skill. But in selecting the ground which he is to defend or attack, he may have occasion to inquire, whether by engaging in this or that theological contest, he will approve himself to God. Our text furnishes a rule, by which we may be safely guided, in choosing the field of our controversial labors. "Earnestly contend," says the apostle, "for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." The word faith, in this place, as in many other passages of Scripture, is evidently used to signify, not the act of believing, but the Vol. XIII. No. 1. 1 object of belief; the doctrines of the true religion, as they had been made known to the Church. These truths, upon which our salvation depends, the apostle calls upon Christians to defend, with the earnestness which their immeasurable importance demands. The exhortation is confined to revealed truths. It makes no reference to the inventions of men; to the speculations of human philosophy. Its import may be expressed, in the following simple proposition IT IS THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS, TO CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE SYSTEM OF DOCTRINES MADE KNOWN IN THE SCRIPTURES. To illustrate this proposition, is the design of the present discourse. I propose to consider, first, what is implied in contending for the faith delivered to the saints; and secondly, what is not necessarily included, in a right performance of this duty. I. Contending for the faith once delivered to the saints implies, 1. That, in opposition to infidels, we exhibit the evidence of the authenticity of the Scriptures. The Bible contains the only original records which we have of the communications of the will of God to the prophets and apostles.. If its authority be set aside, we are left without any satisfactory account of the system of truth delivered to the saints. The evidences of Christianity, as they are commonly termed, are the foundation of all our knowledge of scriptural theology. We are bound, therefore, to guard effectually against the sophistry and artful suggestions by which the primary article of our faith is liable to be assailed. Christians, at the present day, indeed, will rarely find opportunity to meet the infidel, in the use of fair and direct argument. But we are exposed to the more efficient weapons of ridicule, sly insinuation, and affected contempt. To ward off these, it is necessary to be well furnished with that defensive armor which historical truth, and the benevolent spirit of the Christian religion, so abundantly supply. 2. The next step, in defending the faith delivered to the saints, is to maintain the ground, that the Bible is not only an authentic record; but that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God;" that "holy men of God spake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." If the Scriptures were only the work of well-meaning but erring men, we should have no infallible standard of doctrine and practice; no determinate rule to which we might refer our earnest discussions, for final adjudication. Theological controversies would be truly interminable. But the faith of which the apostle speaks in our text, is that which was delivered to the saints; not that which they had discovered, by their own powers of reasoning. "I certify you, brethren," says |