Chapter XIV: Of Saving Faith. De Fide salvifica.

Of Saving Faith. De Fide salvifica.
I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, [1411] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, [1412] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word; [1413] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments and prayer, it is increased and strengthened. [1414] I. Gratia Fidei, qua electi credere valent ad animarum suarum salutem, [1415] Spiritus Christi opus est in eorum cordibus operantis, [1416] effectum plerumque verbi Dei ministerio, [1417] quo eodem etiam, ut et administratione Sacramentorum atque oratione robur ei accedit ac incrementum. [1418] II. By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; [1419] and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, [1420] trembling at the threatenings, [1421] and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. [1422] But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone II. Hac Fide credit Christianus verum esse quicquid in verbo revelatur, propter authoritatem ipsius inibi loquentis Dei; [1423] et varie quidem in illud agit tum obsequendo mandatis, [1424] tum ad minas contremiscens, [1425] tum etiam promissa Dei, seu præsentem hanc vitam seu futuram spectent, amplexando, [1426] pro varia nempe ratione illarum rerum, quæ in singulis verbi partibus continentur. Verum fidei salvificæ actus illi sunt præcipui, Christi acceptatio et receptio, in eumque solum

for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. [1427] recumbentia pro justificatione, sanctificatione, ipsaque adeo vita æterna, virtute foederis gratiæ consequendis. [1428] III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; [1429] may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory; [1430] growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, [1431] who is both the author and finisher of our faith. [1432] III. Fides hæc pro diversis ejus gradibus debilior est aut fortior;
[1433] impugnari quidem sæpenumero multisque modis ac debilitari potest, non ita tamen quin victrix evadat; [1434] et quidem in multis ad plenum usque certitudinem per Christum adolescit, [1435] qui fidei nostræ idem author est et consummator. [1436]