Some examples are brought forward as repugnant to this view. Find more Christian classics for theology and Bible study at Bible Study Tools. 1. 3 Dist. How much better is Bernard, “The testimony of conscience, which Paul calls ‘the rejoicing’ of believers, I believe to consist in three things. Hence, with good reasons Paul declares that in him all the promises of God are confirmed and completed (Rom_15:8). True; but this he says not to inspire us with terror, but that we may learn to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, as Peter explains (1Pe_5:6). Very different is his language. He who has said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Mat_9:29), will never deceive. Here, however, a question might be raised as to the view to be taken of Sarah and Rebekah, both of whom, impelled as it would seem by zeal for the faith, went beyond the limits of the word. Quotations in this publication are taken from John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. Calvin's Institutes Book I, Chapter 17.2 - 26 of 81. This chapter consists of three principal parts.–I. The reprobate bring upon themselves the righteous destruction to which they are doomed. Such are they in the judgment of thy truth, but not such in regard to thy affection. For though they are not as to themselves, yet they are with thee according to the declaration of Paul: ‘Not of works, but of him that calleth,’” (Rom_9:11). Nay, rather, the disputes which exercise and disturb it tend to establish this confidence. He does not threaten that wrath will descend upon them; but he admonishes them, while they think how the wrath of God is prepared for the wicked, on account of the crimes which he had enumerated, not to run the risk of provoking it. He tells us that we call God our Father in terms dictated by the Spirit, who alone bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God (Rom_8:16); they, though they forbid us not to invoke God, withdraw the Spirit, by whose guidance he is duly invoked. It also serves as an earnest in establishing and confirming these promises. Just in the same way as sluggishness and anxiety can so dwell. An admirable security, indeed, is left us, if, for the present moment only, we can judge from moral conjecture that we are in grace, but know not how we are to be to-morrow! The whole of this subject may be better understood from the tenth chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, to which I have already adverted. This fear the sacred writers term servile, and oppose to the free and voluntary fear which becomes sons. Chapter 2: Faith: Its definition and properties explained. Thus Paul, after bringing together all kinds of adversity, boasts that they cannot separate us from the love of God: and in his prayers he uniformly begins with the grace of God as the source of all prosperity. Its peculiar properties. Its peculiar properties. Therefore, when we say, that faith must rest on a free promise, we deny not that believers accept and embrace the word of God in all its parts, but we point to the promise of mercy as its special object. I have no objection to this, though I am more inclined to adopt the other interpretation, which is more generally received. BOOK 3. Book 3, Chapter 2, Part B.Of faith. But if it is Sacrilege to charge the revelation which he has given us with falsehood, or uncertainty, or ambiguity, how can we be wrong in maintaining its certainty? Chapter 3: Our Regeneration by Faith: Repentance. Refutation of the calumnies by which it is attempted to throw odium on this doctrine. This doctrine confirmed by proofs from Scripture. Accordingly, in another passage, the Apostle calls Christ “our peace” (Eph_2:14), and also represents him as the bond by which the Father is united to us in paternal affection (Rom_8:3). The same doctrine is taught by Bernard when he treats professedly on this subject in his Fifth Homily on the Dedication of the Temple: “By the blessing of God, sometimes meditating on the soul, methinks, I find in it as it were two contraries. Not that David was uniformly in this joyful frame; but in so far as the measure of his faith made him sensible of the divine favor, he glories in intrepidly despising every thing that could disturb his peace of mind. Of faith. I can cry out with wonder; not discuss and demonstrate.” The whole comes to this, that Christ, when he produces faith in us by the agency of his Spirit, at the same time ingrafts us into his body, that we may become partakers of all blessings. Of original sin. For while hope silently waits for the Lord, it restrains faith from hastening on with too much precipitation, confirms it when it might waver in regard to the promises of God or begin to doubt of their truth, refreshes it when it might be fatigued, extends its view to the final goal, so as not to allow it to give up in the middle of the course, or at the very outset. 26. The omnipotence of God. The beginning of justification. She must have overcome many obstacles before she obtained so strong a desire of that which, without any hope of earthly advantage, was full of difficulty and danger. Now, without controversy, God loves no man out of Christ. Price: $0.00. Objection - that religion and the belief of a Deity are the inventions of crafty politicians. But we have already shown clearly that the only object of faith is the mercy of God, to which, to use the common expression, it must look with both eyes. But, they say, it is rash and presumptuous to pretend to an undoubted knowledge of the divine will. We may add, that an effectual power is here meant; for piety, as it has elsewhere been seen, always makes a practical application of the power of God; in particular, keeps those works in view in which he has declared himself to be a Father. ITS PECULIAR PROPERTIES. Are those then sane who cannot obtain any certainty of the divine favor, because the carnal eye is now unable to discern it from the present appearance of the world? . Refutation of the objection. Here he appropriately unites confident faith leaning on the divine mercy with religious fear, which of necessity we must feel whenever coming into the presence of the divine majesty we are made aware by its splendor of the extent of our own impurity. And they thus dread his anger, because they think it is impending over them, and they every moment expect it to fall upon their heads. The truth and necessity of this doctrine of a final resurrection. All rights reserved. - regeneration by faith. CHAPTER 4. We expect salvation from him – not because he stands aloof from us, but because ingrafting us into his body he not only makes us partakers of all his benefits, but also of himself. And again, when speaking of a full and confident hope, he founds it on the “earnest of the Spirit” (2Co_5:5). Faith believes that he is our Father; hope expects that he will always act the part of a Father towards us. . Hence, when we were desirous to express the sum of blessedness, we designated it by the favor of God, from which, as their source, all kinds of blessings flow. the three divisions of this chapter are,--i. In like manner, to all the terrors which assail us, David opposes merely the favor of God – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psa_23:4). On account of this connection and affinity Scripture sometimes confounds the two terms faith and hope. The Lord desires us to expect every thing from his goodness and yet these men tell us, it is presumption to rest in it. That they may not attempt to undermine the certainty of faith in one direction only, they attack it in another, viz., that though it be lawful for the believer, from his actual state of righteousness, to form a judgment as to the favor of God, the knowledge of final perseverance still remains in suspense. How They Are Interrelated CHAPTER 2. The daily benefits derived from it. . How is he nothing to whom a divine heart has been given? 32. I admit that, in some respect, their faith was not explicit either as to the person of Christ, or the power and office assigned him by the Father. In what sense Paul says (Gal_3:2), that the Spirit is given by the hearing of faith, may be easily explained. Still happen what may, faith ceases not to long after God. The nature of this must be ascertained from the word. He declares that those only are the servants of Christ who are led by the Spirit of Christ (Rom_8:9); they imagine a Christianity which has no need of the Spirit of Christ. And yet I deny not, as I lately said, that faith occasionally suffers certain interruptions when, by violent assault, its weakness is made to bend in this direction or in that; and its light is buried in the thick darkness of temptation. I have not forgotten myself when, with fear and reverence, I say, We are – are in the heart of God. The example of Christ; and, II. Find more Christian classics for theology and Bible study at Bible Study Tools. the mode of obtaining the grace of christ. First, the Lord often keeps us in suspense, by delaying the fulfillment of his promises much longer than we could wish. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. THE THINGS SPOKEN CONCERNING CHRIST PROFIT US BY THE SECRET WORKING OF THE SPIRIT 1. The wicked do not fear God from any unwillingness to offend him, provided they could do so with impunity; but knowing that he is armed with power for vengeance, they tremble in dismay on hearing of his anger. Thus the Apostle addressing believers says, “Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things, the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience” (Eph_5:6; Col_3:6). And yet his alms and prayers were acceptable to God (Act_10:31), while the prophet by his answer approved of the sacrifices of Naaman. OF FAITH. Here there is still greater necessity for the aid of hope, that we may be able to say with another prophet, “I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him” (Isa_8:17). BOOK THIRD. And we may observe throughout the Scriptures, that they refer us to the love of God, not only when they treat of our eternal salvation, but of any blessing whatever. 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