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)
Table of Contents
- Chapter I Of the Holy Scripture
- Chapter II Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
- Chapter III Of God's Eternal Decree
- Chapter IV Of Creation
- Chapter V Of Providence
- Chapter VI Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and the Punishment thereof
- Chapter VII Of God's Covenant with Man
- Chapter VIII Of Christ the Mediator
- Chapter IX Of Free Will
- Chapter X Of Effectual Calling
- Chapter XI Of Justification
- Chapter XII Of Adoption
- Chapter XIII Of Sanctification
- Chapter XIV Of Saving Faith
- Chapter XV Of Repentance unto Life
- Chapter XVI Of Good Works
- Chapter XVII Of the Perseverance Of the Saints
- Chapter XVIII Of Assurance Of Grace and Salvation
- Chapter XIX Of the Law Of God
- Chapter XX Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty Of Conscience
- Chapter XXI Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
- Chapter XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
- Chapter XXIII Of the Civil Magistrate
- Chapter XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce
- Chapter XXV Of the Church
- Chapter XXVI Of the Communion Of Saints
- Chapter XXVII Of the Sacraments
- Chapter XXVIII Of Baptism
- Chapter XXIX Of the Lord's Supper
- Chapter XXX Of Church Censures
- Chapter XXXI Of Synods and Councils
- Chapter XXXII Of the State Of Men after Death, and Of the Resurrection Of the Dead
- Chapter XXXIII Of the Last Judgment