XIV. Of Saving Faith
1. The Grace of Faith, whereby the Elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ ain their hearts; and is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the bWord; by which also, and by the administration of Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, Prayer and other Means appointed of God, it is increased, cand strengthened.
a2 Cor. 4:13; Eph. 2:8 bRom. 10:14, 17 cLuke 17:5; 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 20:32
2. By this Faith, a Christian believeth to be true, awhatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the Authority of God himself; and also apprehen deth an excellency therein, babove all other Writings; and all things in the world: as it bears forth the Glory of God in his Attributes, the excellency of Christ in his Nature and Offices; and the Power and Fullness of the Holy Spirit in his Workings, and Operations; and so is enabled to ccast his Soul upon the truth thus believed; and also acteth differently, upon that which each particular, passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the dcommands, trembling at the ethreatenings, and embracing the fpromises of God, for this life, and that which is to come: But the principal acts of Saving Faith, have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon ghim alone, for Justification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life, by virtue of the Covenant of Grace.
aActs 24:14 bPs. 19:7–10; Ps. 119:72 c2 Tim. 1:12 dJohn 15:14 eIsa. 66:2 fHeb. 11:13 gJohn 1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:20; Acts 15:11
3. This Faith although it be different in degrees, and may be weak, aor strong; yet it is in the least degree of it, different in the kind, or nature of it (as is all other saving Grace) from the Faith, band common grace of temporary believers; and therefore though it may be many times assailed, and weakened; yet it gets cthe victory; growing up in many, to the attainment of a full dassurance through Christ, who is both the Author eand finisher of our Faith.
aHeb. 5:13–14; Matt. 6:30; Rom. 4:19–20 b2 Pet. 1:1 cEph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4–5 dHeb. 6:11–12; Col. 2:2 e Heb. 12:2