Chapter XIV. Of Saving Faith.

CHAP. XIV.

Of Saving Faith.

1. The Grace of Faith, whereby the Elect are enabled to beleive to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ ²³⁵in their hearts; and is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the ²³⁶Word; by which also, and by the administration of Baptisme, and the Lords Supper, Prayer and other Means appointed of God, it is increased, ²³⁷and strengthned.

2. By this Faith, a Christian believeth to be true, ²³⁸whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the Authority of God himself; and also apprehendeth an excellency therein, ²³⁹above 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 ²⁴⁰cast his Soul upon the truth thus beleived; and also acteth differently, upon that which each particular, passage thereof containeth; yeilding obedience to the ²⁴¹commands, trembling at the ²⁴²threatnings, and embracing the ²⁴³promises 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 ²⁴⁴him alone, for Justification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life, by vertue of the Covenant of Grace.

3. This Faith although it be different in degrees, and may be weak, ²⁴⁵or 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, ²⁴⁶and common grace of temporary beleivers; and therefore though it may be many times assailed, and weakned; yet it gets ²⁴⁷the victory; growing up in many, to the attainment of a full ²⁴⁸assurance through Christ, who is both the Author ²⁴⁹and finisher of our Faith.