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 ²³⁵²³⁵2 Cor. 4.13. Eph. 2.8.in their hearts; and is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the ²³⁶²³⁶Rom. 10 14.17.Word; by which also, and by the administration of Baptisme, and the Lords Supper, Prayer and other Means appointed of God, it is increased, ²³⁷²³⁷Luk. 17.5. 1 Pet. 2.2. Act. 20.32.and strengthned.

2. By this Faith, a Christian believeth to be true, ²³⁸²³⁸Act. 24.14.whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the Authority of God himself; and also apprehendeth an excellency therein, ²³⁹²³⁹Ps. 19.7,8,9,10. Ps. 119.72.above 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 ²⁴⁰²⁴⁰2 Tim. 1.12.cast his Soul upon the truth thus beleived; and also acteth differently, upon that which each particular, passage thereof containeth; yeilding obedience to the ²⁴¹²⁴¹Joh. 15.14.commands, trembling at the ²⁴²²⁴²Is. 66.2.threatnings, and embracing the ²⁴³²⁴³Heb. 11.13.promises 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 ²⁴⁴²⁴⁴Joh. 1.12. Act. 16 31. Gal. 2.20. Act. 15.11.him 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, ²⁴⁵²⁴⁵Heb. 5.13.14. Mat. 6.30. Rom. 4.19 20.or 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, ²⁴⁶²⁴⁶ 2 Pet. 1.1.and common grace of temporary beleivers; and therefore though it may be many times assailed, and weakned; yet it gets ²⁴⁷²⁴⁷ Eph. 6.16. 1 Joh. 5.4,5.the victory; growing up in many, to the attainment of a full ²⁴⁸²⁴⁸ Heb. 6.11,12. Col. 2.2.assurance through Christ, who is both the Author ²⁴⁹²⁴⁹ Heb. 12.2.and finisher of our Faith.