CHAPTER XVI. Faith. Q. 1. What is true evangelical faith? A. It is that full belief in the truth of the Divine testimony concerning Jesus Christ, which implies an assent of the understanding, and an entire consent and approbation of the heart to it, and which induces the soul to place implicit confidence in Him as the true Messiah-as the Saviour of men. Another definition of faith may be, An assent to the truth of Scripture upon the authority of God, accompanied with feelings of heart, corresponding to the nature of the truths believed. A shorter definition of faith may be, Cordial confidence in God in Christ.(a) Q. 2. Is the true faith of the Gospel expressed by different phrases in the Scriptures? A. It is; such as "coming to the light," "being in the light," "knowing the truth," "coming to the knowledge of the truth," "receiving Christ," "trust (a) 1 John 5. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself; he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. Isa. 26. 4. Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Heb. 11.1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Rom. 10. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness. Gal. 5. 6. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. ing in Him," "looking to Him," "coming to Him,' and "believing in Him." These phrases mean the same thing, and mean saving faith. Q. 3. What is a false faith in relation to Gospel truth? A. It is holding the truths of the Gospel in unrighteousness, or the merely assenting to the truths of Scripture, without any corresponding influence on the heart.(b) Q. 4. Are there any other kinds of faith? A. There is the faith of history, and the faith of miracles. Q. 5. What is historick faith? A. It is a simple speculative belief in historick records.(c) Q. 6. What is a miraculous faith? A. It is the firm belief or persuasion of being able one's self, by the Divine power, to work a miracle, or that another can work a miracle.(d) (b) Rom. 1. 18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. James 2. 19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe and tremble. Acts 8. 13, 20, 21. Then Simon himself believed also, and when he was baptised, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God, (c) Heb. 11. 3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. James 2. 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone. (d) Matt. 17. 20. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Acts 14. 9, 10. The same heard Paul speak; who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked, Q. 7. Who were the subjects of this faith? Christians. Q. 8. How long did the faith of miracles continue? A. It probably continued, in a greater or less degree, till the third century of the Christian Church. Q. 9. For what purpose was the faith of miracles given? A. It was given to furnish indubitable evidence of the truth of Christianity. Q. 10. Is true evangelical faith important? A. It is; because it is an absolute condition of eternal life.(*) Q. 11. Is faith a suitable and just condition of salvation? A. It is; because it honours God by bringing back the sinner to Him. Man fell by disbelieving or discrediting God, and thereby greatly dishonoured Him. He now rises by believing or crediting Him, and thereby honours Him. In this respect faith restores man to his original state. Faith, therefore, is the proper ground reason, or condition of salvation. Q. 12. In what sense is faith to be viewed in man's salvation? A. Not as the meritorious ground of it; but as that, which unites the soul to Christ, and makes it 1 Cor. 13. 2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (e) Acts 16. 30, 31. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 10. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins. Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. John 20. 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. a partaker of His benefits, and is the grand condition, upon which salvation is bestowed.(^) Q13. Is man voluntary in the exercise of faith? A. He is. While faith is the gift of God, it is the act of man.(5) Q. 14. In what way is faith produced, continued, increased, and strengthened? A. Ordinarily by a preached Gospel, the sacraments, prayer, and the other means of grace.(h) Q. 15. What is the fruit and evidence of true evangelical faith? A. Obedience to God, and benevolence to men. Good works are the principal characteristick of Gospel faith, and flow from it as naturally as streams do from the fountain.(i) Q. 16. Is faith without works of any avail to salvation? A. It is not. It is merely speculative, dead, and wholly delusive to the soul.(j) Q. 17. Will a person's merely believing, that his sins are forgiven, that Christ died for him in par (f) Eph. 2. 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith. Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (g) Eph. 2. 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Heb. 12. 2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (h) Rom. 10. 14, 17. How then shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (i) James 2.21-24. Was not Abraham our Father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (j) James 2. 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ticular, and that he shall be saved, warrant him in the confidence, that he possesses saving faith? A. Certainly not. These are by no means the direct objects of true faith. If a person has not love to God and man, and obedience in Gospel duties, he should wholly distrust his faith. Q. 18. Was the faith of the Patriarchs and Prophets of the same nature, with the faith of Christians in the present day? A. It was, though attended with this difference: the former believed in Christ as the Messiah who was to come; the latter believe in Christ as the Messiah who has come. It may be observed, too, that the faith of those, who live under the Gospel dispensation, is probably more enlarged, as embracing more objects more distinctly under a clearer and fuller revelation, than the faith of the saints of old. 12 |