Chapter 14) Of Saving Faith

1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,¹ is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts;² and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word:³ by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.⁴

1. Heb. 10:39
2. II Cor. 4:13; Eph. 1:17, 18, 19; Eph. 2:8
3. Rom. 10:14, 17
4. I Pet. 2:2; Acts 20:32; Rom. 4:11; Luke 17:5; Rom. 1:16, 17

2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein;⁵ and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands,⁶ trembling at the threatenings,⁷ and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.⁸ 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.⁹

5. John 4:42; I Thess. 2:13; I John 5:10; Acts 24:14
6. Rom. 16:26
7. Isa. 66:2
8. Heb. 11:13; I Tim. 4:8
9. John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:20; Acts 15:11

3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;¹⁰ may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory;¹¹ growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ,¹² who is both the author and finisher of our faith.¹³

10. Heb. 5:13, 14; Rom. 4:19, 20; Matt. 6:30; Matt. 8:10
11. Luke 22:31, 32; Eph. 6:16; I John 5:4, 5
12. Heb. 6:11, 12; Heb. 10:22; Col. 2:2
13. Heb. 12:2