I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,[1] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[2] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,[3] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.[4]
II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein;[5] and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands,[6] trembling at the threatenings,[7] and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.[8] But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.[9]
III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;[10] may often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:[11] growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ,[12] who is both the author and finisher of our faith.[13]
Faith is a gift from God as pointed out in the confession.
What are you addressing?
We are not discussing the issue of wheather faith is a gift of God, but wheather or not it is by faith one is saved.
Eph.2:8-9 states that it is, that the grace of salvation is approbriated by faith and even if given as part of the grace, the faith procedes the (salvation) being an instrument to obtain it.
Grace is the plan of salvation (free) faith is how you accept the gift.
I see nowhere in the confession, regeneration preceding faith, but in point 8, accepting, receiving and resting upon Christ alone, which sounds like faith to me.
Hey, Dr.Eck, the Westminister confession wants you to use the sacraments to get stronger in the faith.
That is a Romanist concept.