Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	believe_v	faith_n	justification_n	5,240	5	9.4416	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34242	The confession of faith ; and, The larger and shorter catechism first agreed upon by the Westminster Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and now approved by the General Assembly of the kirk of Scotland to be a part of uniformity in religion between the kirks of Christ in the three kingdoms.; Westminster Confession of Faith.	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663. Summe of saving knowledge.; Church of Scotland. General Assembly.; Westminster Assembly (1643-1652). Larger catechism.; Westminster Assembly (1643-1652). Shorter catechism.	1671 (1671)	Wing C5769; ESTC R27273	112,419	253

are not justified untill the holy spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them V. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified and although they can never fall from the state of justification yet they may by their sins fall under Gods fatherly displeasure and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them until they humble themselves confess their sins beg pardon and renew their Faith and Repentance VI. The justification of Believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Testament CHAP. XII Of Adoption ALl those that are justified God vouchsafeth in and for his only Son Jesus Christ to make partakers of the grace of Adoption by which they are taken into the number and enjoy the liberties and priviledges of the children of God have his Name put upon them c receive the spirit of Adoption have access to the throne of grace with boldness are inabled to cry Abba Father are pitied protected provided for and chastned by him as by a Father yet never cast off but sealed to the day of redemption and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting Salvation CHAP. XIII Of Sanctification THey who are effectually called and regenerated having a new heart a new spirit created in them are further sanctified really personally through the vertue of Christs death resurrection by his word and spirit dwelling in them the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed and the several lusts thereof are more more weakned and mortified and they more and more quickned and strengthned in all saving graces to the practice of true holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. II. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man yet imperfect in this life there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh III. In which war although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ the regenerate part doth overcome so the Saints grow in grace perfecting holiness in the fear of God CHAP. XIV Of saving Faith THe grace of Faith whereby the Elect are inabled to believe to the saving of their Souls is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts 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 strengthned II. By this Faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word for the authority of God himself speaking therein and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth yielding obedience to the Commands trembling at the threatnings and imbracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come But the principal acts of saving faith are Accepting Receiving and resting upon Christ alone for Justification Sanctification and Eternal life by vertue of the Covenant of grace III. This faith is different in degrees weak or strong may be often and many waies assailed and weakned 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 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 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 hates his sin● as to turn from them all unto God purposing endeavoring to walk with him in all the waies of his Commandments 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 Gods free grace in Christ yet is it of such necessity to all sinners that none may expect pardon without it IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation on those who truly repent V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance but it is every mans duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins particularly VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God praying for the pardon thereof upon which and the forsaking of them he shall find mercy so he that scandalizeth his brother or the Church of Christ ought to be willing by a private or publick confess●on and sorrow for his sin to declare his repentance to th●se that are offended who are thereupon to be recon●●●ed to him and in love to receive him CHAP. XVI Of good Woorks GOod Works are onely such as God hath commanded in his holy Word and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal or upon any pretence of good intention II. These good works done in obedience to Gods Commandments are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith and by them Believers manifest their thankfulness strengthen their assurance edifie their Brethren adorn the profession of the Gospel stop the mouths of the adversaries and glorifie God whose workmanship they are created in Christ Jesus thereunto that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves but wholly from the Spirit of Christ And that they may be inabled thereunto besides the graces they have already received there is required an actual influence of the same holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them IV. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest hight which is possible in this life are so far from being able to supererogate and to do more than God requires as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do V. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the

offered to them being justly left in their unbelief do never truely come to Jesus Christ Q. 69. What is the communion in Grace which the members of the invisible Church have with Christ A. The Communion in Grace which the members of the Invisible Church have with Christ is their partaking of the vertue of his Mediation in their Justification Adoption Sanctification and what ever else in this life manifests their Union with him Q. 70. What is Iustification A. Justification is an act of Gods free grace unto sinners in which he pardoneth all their sins accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight not for any thing wrought in them or done by them but only for the perfect obedience and ful satisfaction of Christ by God imputed to them and received by Faith alone Q. 71. How is Iustification an act of Gods free Grace A. Although Christ by his Obedience and Death did make a proper real and full satisfaction to Gods justice in the behalf of them that are justified yet in as much as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety which he might have demanded of them did provide th●s surety his own only Son imputing his righteousness to them and requiring nothing of them for their Justification but faith which also is his gift their justification is to them of free grace Q. 72 What is justifying Faith A. Justifying Faith is a saving grace wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit word of God whereby he being convinced of his sin and misery and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the Gospel but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness therein held forth for pardon of sin and for the accepting accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for Salvation Q. 73. How doth Faith justifie a sinner in the sight of God A. Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God not because of these other graces which do alwaies accompany it or of good works that are the fruits of it nor as if the grace of Faith or any act thereof were imputed to him for his justification but only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ his righteousness Q. 74. What is Adoption A. Adoption is an Act of the free grace of God in and for his only Son Jesus Christ whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his Children have his name put upon them the Spirit of his Son given to them are under his fatherly care dispensations admitted to all the liberties and priviledges of the sons of God made heirs of all the promises and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory Q. 75. What is Sanctification A. Sanctification is a work of Gods grace whereby they whom God hath before the foundation of the world chosen to be holy are in time through the powerful operation of his spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them renewed in their whole man after the image of God having the seeds of repentance unto life and of all other saving graces put into their hearts and those graces so stirred up increased and strengthned as that they more and more die unto sin and rise unto newness of life Q. 76. What is repentance unto life A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit Word of God whereby out of the sight sense not only of the danger but also of the filthiness odiousness of his sins and upon the apprehension of Gods mercy in Christ to such as are penitent he so grieves for and hates his sins as that he turns from them all to God purposing and endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience Q. 77. Wherein do Iustification and Sanctification differ A. Although Sanctification be inseparably joyned with Justification yet they differ in that God in Justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ in Sanctification his spirit infuseth grace and enableth to the exercise thereof in the former sin is pardoned in the other it is subdued the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God that perfectly in this life that they never fall into condemnation the other is neither equal in all nor in this life perfect in any but growing up to perfection Q. 78. Whence ariseth the imperfection of Sanctification in believers A. The imperfection of Sanctification in believers ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them and the perpetual lustings of the flesh against the spirit whereby they are often soiled with temptations and fall into many sins are hindred in all their spiritual services their best works are imperfect defiled in the sight of God Q. 79. May not true believers by reason of their imperfections and the many temptations sins they are overtaken with fall away from the state of Grace A. True believers by reason of the unchangeable love of God and his Decree and Covenant to give them perseverance their inseparable union with Christ his continual intercession for them and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them can neither totally nor finally fall away from the estate of grace but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation Q. 80. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace and that they shall persevere therein unto Salvation A. Such as truly believe in Christ and endeavour to walk in all good conscience before him may without extraordinary revelation by faith grounded upon the truth of Gods promises and by the spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace shall persevere therein unto salvation Q. 81. Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of grace and that they shall be saved A. Assurance of grace salvation not being of the essence of faith true believers may wait long before they obtain it and after the enjoyment thereof may have it weakned and intermitted through manifold distempers sins temptations and desertions yet are they never left with out such a presence support of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair Q. 82. What is the Communion in glory which the members

every one th● continueth not in all things which are written 〈◊〉 the Book of the Law to do them Now to be under the curse comprehende●● all the displeasure of God with the danger 〈◊〉 the breaking forth more and more of his wrat● upon soul and body both in this life and afte● death perpetually if grace do not prevent th● full execution thereof Hence let every man reason thus Whosoever according to the Covenant o● Works is liable to the curse of God for break●ing the Law times and ways out of number cannot be justified or find righteousness by the works of the Law But I may every man say according to th● Covenant of Works am liable to the curse 〈◊〉 God for breaking the Law times and ways 〈◊〉 of number Therefore I cannot be justified or have ●●ghteousness by the works of the Law Thus may a man be convinced of righteous●●●● that it is not to be had by his own works 〈◊〉 by the Law ● For convincing a man of Judgment by the Lavv consider 2 Thes. 1.7 THe Lord shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels ver 8. In flaming 〈◊〉 ●aking vengeance on them that know not 〈◊〉 and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord 〈◊〉 Christ. ver 9. Who shall be punished with ●●erlasting destruction from the presence of the 〈◊〉 and from the glory of his power ver 10. ●hen he shall come to be glorified in his saints 〈◊〉 to be admired in all them that believe Wherein we are taught that our Lord Jesus ●ho now offers to be Mediator for them who ●el●eve in him shall at the last day come armed ●ith flaming fire to judge condemn and de●●roy all them who have not believed God 〈◊〉 not received the offer of grace made in 〈◊〉 Gospel nor obeyed the Doctrine thereof 〈◊〉 remain in their natural estate under the ●aw or Covenant of Works Hence let every man reason thus What the righteous Judge hath fore-warn●d me shall be done at the last day I am sure 〈◊〉 just judgement But the righteous Judge hath fore-warned ●e that if I do not believe God in time and obey the Doctrine of the Gospel I shall 〈◊〉 secluded from his presence and his glory at t●● last day and be tormented in soul and body 〈◊〉 ever Therefore I am convinced that this is 〈◊〉 Judgement And I have reason to thank God heartil● who hath forewarned me to flee from the wrat● which is to come Thus every man may be by the Law or C●●venant of Works convinced of judgment 〈◊〉 he shall continue under the Covenant 〈◊〉 Works or shall not obey the Gospel of ou● Lord Jesus For convincing a man of sin righteous●ness and judgment by the Gospel AS for convincing a man of sin and righ●teousness and judgment by the Gospe● or Covenant of grace he must understan● three things 1. That not believing in Jesu● Christ or refusing of the Covenant of Grace offered in him is a greater and more dangerous sin then all other sins against the Law● because the hearers of the Gospel not believing in Christ do reject Gods mercy in Christ the only way of freedom from sin and wrath and will not yield to be reconciled to God Next he must understand that perfect remission of sin and true righteousness is to be had only by faith in Jesus because God requireth no ●ther conditions but Faith and testfiies from ●eaven that he is well pleased to justifie sinners ●pon this condition 3. He must understand ●hat upon righteousness received by faith ●udgment shall follow on the one hand to the ●estroying of the works of the Devil in the ●eliever and to the perfecting of the work of ●anctification in him with power and that ●pon refusing to take righteousness by Faith in ●esus Christ Judgment shall follow on the o●her hand to the condemnation of the misbe●●ever and destroying of him with Satan and ●is servants for ever For this end let these passages of Scripture ●mong many others serve to make the great●ess of the sin of not believing in Christ appear ●r to make the greatness of the sin of refusing ●f the Covenant of Grace offered to us in ●he offering of Christ unto us let the fair offer ●f Grace be looked upon as it is made Isa. 55. ● Incline your ear and come unto me saith the ●ord hear and your soul shall live and I will ●ake an everlasting Covenant with you even ●he sure mercies of David That is if ye will ●elieve me and be reconciled to me I will by Covenant give unto you Christ and all sa●ing graces in him repeated Acts 13.24 Again consider that this general offer in ●ubstance is equivalent to a special offer made ●o every one in particular as appeareth by ●●e Apostles making use of it Acts 16.13 ●elieve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house The reason o● which offer is given I●h 3.16 For God so lov●● the World that he gave his only begotten Son th●● whosoever believeth in him should not perish bu● have everlasting life Seeing then this grea● salvation is offered in the Lord Jesus whosoever believe not in him but lo●k for happines● some other way what doth he else but observ● lying vanities and forsake his own mercy whic● he might have had in Christ Ion●h 2.8 ● What doth he else but blaspheme God in hi● heart as it is said 1 Iohn 5.10 He that believeth not God hath made him a liar because 〈◊〉 believeth not the record that God gave of his Son and this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son and that no si● against the Law is like unto this sin Christ testifies Iohn 15.22 If I had not come and spoke● to them they had not h●● sin but now they hav● no cloak for their sin This may convince 〈◊〉 man of the greatness of this sin of not believing in Christ. For convincing a man of righteousness to be had only by faith in Christ ● consider how Rom. 10.3 4. IT Is said that the Iews being ignorant o● Gods righteousness and going about to establis● their own righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God and so they perished for Christ is the end of the La● 〈◊〉 righteousness to every one that believeth and ●cts 13.34 By Christ Iesus all that believe are ●●stified from all things from which ye could not be ●●stified by the Law of Moses and 1 Iohn 1.7 〈◊〉 blood of Iesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from 〈◊〉 sin For convincing a man of judgement if a ●an imbrace this righteousness consider ● Iohn 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was ●●nifested that he mi●●t destroy the works of the ●evil and Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the 〈◊〉 of Christ who through the eternal Spirit 〈◊〉 himself without spot to God purge your consci●ce from dead works to serve the living God But if a man