Q. 5. But is not the assent of the understanding true faith ?
A. The mere assent of the understanding to the truths of scrip- ture, is not such a faith as will save the soul ; James ii. 19. Thou believest that there is one God ; thou doit well : the devils also be- lieve, and tremble.
Q. 6. AVhat is the act of faith that justifies a sinner?
A. It is the receiving of Christ, by the full and hearty consent of the heart that justifies us ? John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to thera that believe on his name.
Q. 7. What is the object of faith ?
A. The primary object of faith is the person of Christ, and the se- condary are his benefits ; Isa. xlv. 22. Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth, &c. Phil. iii. 8, 9- Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord : For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ ; the righte- ousness which is of God by faith.
Q. 8. May not a man look partly to Christ, and partly to his own works and duties for righteousness ?
A. No; he must eye Christ only, and exclude all others, or he cannot be justified; Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ: The righteousness which is of God by faith, Rom. iv. 5. But to him that worketh not, but belie veth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Q. 9. Is it enough to eye the person of Christ only in believing?
A. No ; we must eye the person of Christ, as clothed with all his offices ; Acts xvi. 31. And they said. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thine house. Our ignorance needs him as a prophet, our guilt as a priest, our sins and enemies as a king.
Q. 10. Is true faith faith exclusive of all fears and doubts ?
A. No ; it is not, but true believers are troubled with many fears and doubtings ; Isa. 1. 10. Who is he among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in dark- ness, and hath no light, &c. Mark ix. 24. And straightway the Father of the child crieth out with tears, Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.
Q. 11. Is no man actually justified till he believe?
A. No, he cannot be justified actually till he believe actually; Gal. iii. 22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the pro- raise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe
John ill. 18. He that beUeveth on him, is not condemned : But he that beheveth not is condemned alread}^^ because he hath not be- heved in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Q. 12. Is every man that believes justified immediately and fully upon his believing ?
A. Yes, he is ; Rom. v. 1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. John v. 24. He that heareth my words, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life.
Q. 13. What is the true character or description of a believer 't
A. He is one that, having been convinced of his sin and misery, and of his own and all other creatures inability to save him, and of the ability and willingness of Christ to save him, lets go all hold and dependence on creatures, and his own righteousness, and casts himself entirely upon Christ for righteousness and life.
Of the Properties, Signs, and Means of Faith.
Quest. 1. W HAT is the first property of faith ?
J. It is a most precious grace ; 2 Pet. i. 1. To them that have obtained like precious faith with us, &c. And must needs be so, seeing it is the bond of our union with Christ ; Eph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and s^rounded in love. That by which we are justified; Rom. v. 1. Therefore being justified by faith, &c. And that by which our souls do hve ; Heb. ii. 4. The just shall Hve by faith.
Q. 2. What is the second property of saving faith ?
A. The second property of faith is this, that it is the most useful grace in this world to a believer, it being the souPs eye ; Heb. xi. 27. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wi^ath of the king : For he endured, as seeing him who is invisible, &c. It is hard to apprehend Christ; Phil. iii. 12. That I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. It is a cordial in a fainting season ; Psal. xxvii. 3. I had fainted unless I had beheved, &c.
Q. What are the foundations that support faith ?
A. The first foundation or prop of faith, is the power of God ; Rom. iv. 20, 21. He staggered not at the promise through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Heb. vii. 25. He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, &c.
Q. 4. What is the second prop of faith ?
A, The truth and faithfulness of God in his promises; Heb, x. 23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith Avithout wavering, for he is faithful that hath promised. Heb. vi. 18. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM. 265
Strong consoliitlon, who have fled for refuge to hy hold upon tlie hope set before us.
Q. 5. What encourages the faith of the saints?
A. The manifold, sweet, and sensible experiences of others ; Psal. Ixxiv. 14. Thou breakest the heads of Leviatlian in pieces, and gavest him to be meat for the people inhabiting the wilderness. And espe- cially their own experiences ; Josh, xxiii. 14. Ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you ; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof
Q. 6. What is the first sign of a weak faith ?
A. Staggerings in our assent to divine truths, argue the weakness of faith ; Rom. iv. 10. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, &c.
Q. 7. What is the second sign of a weak faith ?
A. Inability to trust God in time of danger, evidenced by sinfid haste to avoid it ; Isa. xxviii. 16. He that belie veth, shall not make haste.
Q. 8. What is the third sign of a weak faith ?
A. When we cannot live purely by faith, except we have some sensible encouragement; John xx. 25. Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the^ nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Q. 9. What is the fourth sign of a weak faith ?