Chapter XIV - Of Saving Faith

 I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,(Heb 10:39) is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,(2 Cor 4:13, Eph 1:17-19, 2:8) and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,(Rom 10:14, 17) by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.(1 Pet 2:2, Acts 20:32, Rom 4:11, Luke 17:5, Rom 1:16-17)

II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein;(John 4:42, 1 Thess 2:13, 1 John 5:10, Acts 24:14) and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands,(Rom 16:26) trembling at the threatenings,(Isa 66:2) and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.(Heb 11:13, 1 Tim 4:8) 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.(John 1:12, Act 16:31, Gal 2:20, Acts 15:11)

III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;(Heb 5:13-14, Rom 4:19-20, Matt 6:30, 8:10) may often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:(Luke 22:31-32, Eph 6:16, 1 John 5:4-5) growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ,(Heb 6:11-12, 10:2) who is both the author and finisher of our faith.(Heb 12:2) 

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