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§. 13. Of Christ, the Author of Faith.
TO enforce the foresaid duty of looking unto Iesus, he is here set forth, to be he Author and Finisher of faith.
Of this word translated a Author, See Chap. 2. v. 10. §. 95. There it is translated, A Captain, but such an one, as is also the beginner and first author of a thing. It being here premised before the other title, Finisher, it implieth such an Author as is the primary beginner, as hath the absolute ordering of that which he beginneth: so as he can and will finish it according to his mind. Thus is Christ the Author of our faith. This is evident by these and such like generall proofs, Faith is the gift of God, Eph. 2. 8. It is given to you to believe, Phil. 1. 29. But more particularly in that the Apostle prayeth for faith from the Lord Iesus Christ, Eph. 6. 23. On this ground this gift is stiled, the faith of Iesus Christ, Rom. 3. 22. Gal. 2. 16, 20. For as Christ is the revealer of faith, and the object of faith, and the matter of faith, so also the Author of it.
The means whereby this grace is wrought are of Christ, as the principall outward means, which is, the preaching of the Gospel, stiled, the word of faith, Rom. 10. 8. And the Sacraments, which are seals of the righteousnesse of faith, Rom. 4. 11. Yea also the Spirit, which is stiled, the spirit of faith, 2 Cor. 4. 13. And faith is said to be given by the Spirit, 1 Cor. 12. 9. All these means outward and inward, are of Christ, there∣fore the grace wrought by them, must also be of him.
It is not of man by nature: neither doth the law reveale or work it: but it is by Iesus.
- 1. This clearly demonstrateth, that without Christ, no faith, at least no such faith as should bring men to salvation. For this author of faith is also stiled, The Captain, or Author of salvation, Chap. 2. v. 10. And Chap. 5. v. 9. §. 50.
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2. It informeth us in the kind of this gift, that it is supernaturall.
The Son of God came from the bosome of his Father, to reveale it, and to work it in us.
- 3. It is our duty to use such means as Christ hath sanctified for attaining this gift. He that is the Author of it, will work it in his own way and course.