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The 1689 Confession · Chapter XIV

Of Saving Faith

14.1

The Grace of Faith, whereby the Elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their Souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of thea Word; by which also, and by the administration of Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, Prayer and other Means appointed of God, it is increased,b and strengthened.c

  1. a 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8
  2. b Romans 10:14, 17
  3. c Luke 17:5; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32

The Grace of Faith, whereby the Elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their Souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of thea Word; by which also, and by the administration of Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, Prayer and other Means appointed of God, it is increased,b and strengthned.c

  1. a 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8
  2. b Romans 10:14, 17
  3. c Luke 17:5; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32
14.2

By this Faith, a Christian believes to be true, whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the Authority of God himself, and also apprehends an Excellency therein,a 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 tob cast his Soul upon the truth thus believed; and also acts differently upon that which each particular Passage thereof contains; yielding Obedience to thec Commands, trembling at thed threatenings, and embracing thee Promises of God, for this Life, and that which is to come: But the principal Acts of Saving Faith, has immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting uponf him alone, for Justification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life, by virtue of the Covenant of Grace.g

  1. a Acts 24:14
  2. b Psalm 19:7-10; 119:72
  3. c 2 Timothy 1:12
  4. d John 15:14
  5. e Isaiah 66:2
  6. f Hebrews 11:13
  7. g John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:11

By this Faith, a Christian believeth to be true, whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the Authority of God himself, and also apprehendeth an Excellency therein,a 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 Fulness of the Holy Spirit in his Workings and Operations; and so is enabled tob cast his Soul upon the truth thus believed; and also acteth differently upon that which each particular Passage thereof containeth; yielding Obedience to thec Commands, trembling at thed threatnings, and embracing thee Promises of God, for this Life, and that which is to come: But the principal Acts of Saving Faith, hath immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting uponf him alone, for Justification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life, by vertue of the Covenant of Grace.g

  1. a Acts 24:14
  2. b Psalm 19:7-10; 119:72
  3. c 2 Timothy 1:12
  4. d John 15:14
  5. e Isaiah 66:2
  6. f Hebrews 11:13
  7. g John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:11
14.3

This Faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak, 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 Faitha and common Grace of temporary believers; and therefore though it may be many times assailed, and weakened, yet it getsb the Victory, growing up in many, to the attainment of a fullc assurance through Christ, who is both the Authord and Finisher of our Faith.e

  1. a Hebrews 5:13-14; Matthew 6:30; Romans 4:19-20
  2. b 2 Peter 1:1
  3. c Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4-5
  4. d Hebrews 6:11-12; Colossians 2:2
  5. e Hebrews 12:2

This Faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak, 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 Faitha and common Grace of temporary believers; and therefore though it may be many times assailed, and weakned, yet it getsb the Victory, growing up in many, to the attainment of a fullc assurance through Christ, who is both the Authord and Finisher of our Faith.e

  1. a Hebrews 5:13-14; Matthew 6:30; Romans 4:19-20
  2. b 2 Peter 1:1
  3. c Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4-5
  4. d Hebrews 6:11-12; Colossians 2:2
  5. e Hebrews 12:2