2._____ 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 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 cast his soul
upon the truth thus believed; and also acteth differently upon that which
each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands,
trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the 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
him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue
of the covenant of grace.
(
Acts
24:14; Psalms
27:7-10;Psalms
119:72; 2
Timothy 1:12; John
14:14; Isaiah
66:2; Hebrews
11:13; John
1:12; Acts
16:31; Galatians
2:20; Acts
15:11 )
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 faith and common
grace of temporary believers; and therefore, though it may be many times
assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory, growing up in many to the
attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and
finisher of our faith.
(
Hebrews
5:13, 14; Matthew
6:30; Romans
4:19, 20; 2
Peter 1:1; Ephesians
6:16; 1
John 5:4, 5; Hebrews
6:11, 12; Colossians
2:2; Hebrews
12:2 )