saints grow in grace , perfecting holiness in the fear of God".

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CHAP. XIV. Of Saving Faith. 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 the word: by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened 4.

II. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word, for the authority of God him

self

a

ever.

in the measure of every part, maketh give onto you the Spirit of wisdom increase of the body, unto the edify- and revelation in the knowledge of ing of itself in love.

him: Ver. 18. The eyes of your une m 2 Pet. iii. 18. But grow in derstanding being enlightened; that grace, and in the knowledge of our ye may know what is the hope of Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ : to his calling, and what the riches of him be glory both' now and for the glory of his inheritance in the

Amen. 2 Cor. iii. 18. But saints, Ver. 19. And what is the we all with open face, beholding exceeding greatness of his power to as in a glass the glory of the Lord, us-ward who believe, according to are changed into the same image, the working of his mighty power, from glory to glory, even as by the Eph. i. 8. For by grace are ye Spirit of the Lord.

saved, through faith; and that not 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having there- of yourselves: it is the gift of God. fore these promises, dearly beloved, © Rom. X. 14. How then shall "let us cleanse ourselves from all they call on him in whom they filthiness of the flesh and spirit, have not believed ? and how shall perfecting holiness in the fear of they believe in him of whom they God.

have not heard ? and how shall I. a Heb. X. 39. But we are not they hear without a preacher ? of them who draw back unto per- Ver. 17. So then, faith cometh by dition ; but of them that believe, to . hearing, and hearing by the word the saving of the soul.

of God. b 2 Cor. iv. 13. We having the di Pet. ii. 2. Ag new-born babes, same spirit of faith, according as desire the sincere milk of the word, it is written, I believed, and there. that ye may grow thereby. Acts fore have I spoken: we also believe, XX. 32. And now, brethren, I com-, and therefore speak. Eph. i. 17. mend you to God, and to the That the God of our Lord Jesus word of his grace, which is able Christ, the Father of glory, may to build you up, and to give you

an

self speaking thereino; and 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 b. 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'

III. This

a

III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong * ; may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but 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".

OF. TECHAR

UNIVERSITY lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, hath desire to have you, that he and thou shalt be saved, and thy may sift you as where Bat .

I have prayed for thee, that thy with Christ : nevertheless I live ; faith fail not; and when thou art yet not 'I, but Christ liveth in me: converted, strengthen thy brethren. and the life which I now live in Eph. vi. 16. Above all, taking the the flesh I live by the faith of the shield of faith, wherewith ye, shall Son of God, who loved me, and be able to quench all the fiery gave himself for me. Acts xv. 11. darts of the wicked. 1 John v. 4. But we believe, that through the For whatsoever is born of God grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we overcometh the world : and this is shall be saved, even as they. the victory that overcometh the

Ill. k Heb. v. 13. For every one world, even our faith. Ver. 5. that useth milk is unskilful in the Who is he that overcometh the word of righteousness : for he is a world, but he that believeth that babe. Ver. 14. But strong neat

Jesus is the Son of God? belongeth to them that are of full m Heb. vi. 11. And we desire age, even those who by reason of that every one of you do shew the use have their senses exercised to same diligence, to the full assurance discern both good and evil. Rom. of hope unto the end : Ver. 12. iv. 19. And being not weak in That ye be not slothful, but fo!. faith, he considered not his own lowers of them who through faith body now dead, when he was and patience inherit the promises. about an hundred years old, nei- Heb. x. 22. Let us draw rear with ther yet the deadness of Sara's a true heart, in full assurance of womb. Ver. 20. He staggered not faith, having our hearts sprinkled at the promise of God through un- from an evil conscience, and our belief; but was strong in faith, giv- bodies washed with pure water. ing glory to God. Matth. vi. 30. Col. ii. 2. That their hearts might Wherefore, if God so clothe the be comforted, being knit together grass of the field, which to-day is, in love, and unto all riches of the and to-morrow is cast into the full assurance of understanding, to oven, shall he not much the acknowledgment

the mystery clothe you, o ye of little faith? of God, and of the Father, and of Matth. viii. 10. When Jesus heard Christ. it , he marvelled, and said to them n Heb. xii. 2. Looking unto Jesus, that followed, Verily I say unto

the author and finisher of our faith; you, I have not found so great who for the joy that was set before faith, no, not in Israel.

him, endured the cross, despising the I Luke xxii. 31. And the Lord shame, and is set down at the right said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hand of the throne of God.

1. a Zech.

more

CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto Life. REPENTANCE unto life is an evangelical grace" the

doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ 6.

II. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God', purposing and endea

vouring

own

one

1. * Zech. xii. 10. And I will be your ruin. Ver. 31. Cast away pour upon the house of David, and from you all your transgressions, upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, whereby ye have transgressed, and the spirit of grace and of suppli- make you a new heart and a new cations, and they shall look upon spirit ; for why will ye die, O me whom they have pierced, and house of Israel? Ezek. Xxxvi. 31. they shall mourn for him, as one

Then shall ye remember

your mourneth for his only son, and shall evil ways, and your doings that be in bitterness for him, as were not good, and shall loathe that is in bitterness for his first-born. yourselves in your own sight, for Acts xi. 18. When they heard these your iniquities, and for your abothings, they held their peace, and minations. Isa, xxx. 22. Ye shall glorified God, saying, Then hath defile also the covering of thy graGod also to the Gentiles granted ven iniages of silver, and the orrepentance unto life.

nament of thy molten images of b Luke xxiv. 47. And that rer gold: thou shalt cast them away pentance and remission of sins should

as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt be preached in his name among

say unto it, Get thee hence. Psal. all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. li. 4. Against thee, thee only, have Mark i. 15. And saying, The time I sinned, and done this evil in thy is fulfilled, and the kingdom of sight : that thou mightest be justiGod is at hand; repent ye, and fied when thou speakest, and be believe the gospel. Acts xx. 21. clear when thou judgest.

Jer. Testifying both to the Jews, and xxxi. 18. I have surely heard Ephalso to the Greeks, repentance to- raim bemoaning himself thus, Thou ward God, and faith toward our hast chastised me, and I was chase Lord Jesus Christ.

tised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the II. C Ezek. xviii. 30. Therefore yoke : turn thou me, and I shall be I will judge you, o house of Is- turned ;

for thou art the Lord my rael, every one according to his God. Ver. 19. Surely after tha ways, saith the Lord God: repent, I was turned, I repented ; and afte and turn yourselves from all your that I was instructed, I smote up transgressions ; so iniquity shall not on my thigh : I was ashamed, yea

eve

i

vouring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments sd.

III. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ'; yet is it of

such

even confounded, because I did ing in all the commandments and bear the reproach of my youth. ordinances of the Lord blameless. Joel ji. 12. Therefore also now, 2 Kings xxiii. 25. And like unto saith the Lord, Turn ye even to him was there no king before him, me with all your heart, and with that turned to the Lord with all fasting, and with weeping, and with his heart, and with all his soul, mourning. Ver. 13. And rend your and with all his might, according heart and not your garments, and to all the law of Moses; neither turn unto the Lord your God: for after him arose there any like him. he is gracious and merciful, ow III. e Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Then shall to anger, and of great kindness, ye rennenber your own evil ways, and repenteth him of the evil. and your doings that were not good, Anos v. 15. Hate the evil, and love and shall loathe yourselves in your the good, and establish judgment in own sight, for your iniquities, and the gate; it may be that the Lord for your abominations. Ver. 32. God of hosts will be gracious un- Not for your sakes do I this, saith to the remnant of Joseph. Psal. the Lord God, be it known unto cxix. 128. Therefore I esteem all you : be ashamed and confounded thy precepts concerning all things for your own ways, O house of to be right, and I hate every false Israel. Ezek. xvi. 61. Then thou way. 2 Cor. vii

. 11. For, behold, shalt remember thy ways, and be this self-same thing that ye sor- ashamed, when thou shalt receive rowed after a godly sort, what thy sisters, thine elder and thy carefulness it wrought in you; yea,

younger ; and I will give them unwhat clearing of yourselves ; yea, to thee for daughters, but not by what indignation ; yea, what fear; thy covenant. Ver. 62. And I will yea, what vehement desire ; yea, establish my covenant with thee, what zeal; yea, what revenge !

and thou shalt know that I am the in all things ye have approved Lord: Ver. 63. That thou mayest yourselves to be clear in this mat- remember and be confounded, and ter.

never open thy mouth any more bed Psal. cxix. 6. Then shall I not be cause of thy shame, when I am paciashamed, when I have respect unto

fied toward thee for all that thou all thy commandinents. Ver. 59. I hast done, saith the Lord God. thought on my ways, and turned my f Hos. xiv. 2. Take with you feet unto thy testimonies. Ver. 106. words, and turn to the Lord ; say I have sworn, and I will perform it, unto him, Take away all iniquithat I will keep thy righteous judge ty, and receive us graciously : ments. Luke i. 6. And they were

will we render the calves of our both righteous before God, walk- lips. Ver. 4. I will heal their back

sliding,

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