Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith
1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,(a) is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,(b) and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,(c) by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.(d)
(a) Titus 1:1, Heb. 10:39
(b) 1 Cor. 12:3, John 3:5, Titus 3:5, John 6:44-45, 65, Eph. 2:8, Phil. 1:29, 2 Pet. 1:1, see 1 Pet 1:2
(c) Matt. 28:19-20, Rom. 10:14, 17, 1 Cor. 1:21
(d) 1 Pet. 2:2, Acts 20:32, Rom. 1:16-17, Matt. 28:19, see Acts 2:38, 1 Cor. 10:16, 1 Cor. 11:23-29
Luke 17:5, Phil. 4:6-7
2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;(e) and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yeilding obedience to the commands,(f) trembling at the threatenings,(g) and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.(h) But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant.(i)
(e) 2 Pet. 1:20-21, John 4:42, 1 Thess. 2:13, 1 John 5:9-10, Acts 24:14
(f) Ps. 119:10-11, 48, 97-98, 167-168, John 14:15
(g) Ezra 9:4, Isa. 66:2, Heb. 4:1
(h) Heb. 11:13, 1 Tim. 4:8
(i) John 1:12, Acts 16:31, Gal. 2:20, Acts 15:11, 2 Tim. 1:9-10
3. This faith is different in degrees, weak and strong,(k) may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:(l) growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ,(m) who is both the author and finisher of our faith.(n)
(k) Heb. 5:13-14, Rom. 14:1-2, Matt. 6:30, Rom. 4:19-20, Matt. 8:10
(l) Luke 22:31-32, Eph. 6:16, 1 John 5:4-5
(m) Heb. 6:11-12, Heb. 10:22, Col. 2:2
Next: Chapter 15: Of Repentance unto Life
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