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. Heb 10:39. • b. Eph 1:17-19; 2:8; 2 Cor 4:13. • c. Rom 10:14, 17. • d. Luke 17:5; Acts 20:32; Rom 1:16-17; 4:11; 1 Pet 2:2.

2. By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;^a and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands,^b trembling at the threatenings,^c and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come.^d 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 of grace.^e

a. John 4:42; Acts 24:14; 1 Thes 2:13; 1 John 5:10. • b. Rom 16:26. • c. Isa 66:2. • d. 1 Tim 4:8; Heb 11:13. • e. John 1:12; Acts 15:11; 16:31; Gal 2:20.

3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;^a may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory;^b growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ,^c who is both the author and finisher of our faith.^d

a. Mat 6:30; 8:10; Rom 4:19-20; Heb 5:13-14. • b. Luke 22:31-32; Eph 6:16; 1 John 5:4-5. • c. Col 2:2; Heb 6:11-12; 10:22. • d. Heb 12:2.

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