347# 至于信仰的形成，则是藉着人趋近主、从圣言学习真理，并照这些真理生活而成。
第一，信仰之所以藉着人趋近主而形成，是因为凡真正为信仰者，即凡为得救之信仰者，皆出自主，并归向主。其出自主，由祂对门徒所说的话可知：“你们要住在我里面，我也住在你们里面；……因为离了我，你们就不能作什么”（约15:4，5）。信仰乃归向主，则由上文大量引证之处可知，即人当信子。如今，既然信仰出自主并归向主，便可说主自己即是信仰本身；因为信仰的生命与本质在主里面，故亦出自主。
【2】第二，信仰之所以藉着人从圣言学习真理而形成，是因为信仰就其本质而言即是真理；凡进入信仰的一切，皆为真理。因此，信仰无非是在人心智中发光的真理总汇；因为真理不仅教导人当信什么，也教导人当信谁，以及所信为何。真理必须取自圣言，是因为一切有助于得救的真理皆在圣言之中，并且其中有功效；因为这些真理乃由主所赐，并由此铭刻于整个天使之天。因此，当人从圣言学习真理时，虽自己并不知道，却已进入与天使的交通和联结。没有真理的信仰，如同没有髓质的种子，磨碎之后只得糠秕；由真理构成的信仰，则如丰实的种子，磨碎之后可得面粉。总之，信仰的本质要素就是真理；若真理不在其中并构成其体，信仰便只如悦耳而空洞的哨音；若真理在其中并构成其体，信仰便如传达救恩之事的声音。
【3】第三，信仰之所以藉着人照真理生活而形成，是因为属灵生命乃是照真理而生活的生命；并且真理若未进入行为，尚未实际活着。脱离行为的真理，只属于思想；若这些真理不同时成为意志之事，便只是在人之门槛上，而非在人里面。因为意志才是人自身；思想之为人，只在乎它有多少、并以何种方式与意志相联。
学习真理而不实行的人，如同把种子撒在田间，却不耙土覆盖；于是种子被雨水胀大，终成败坏之物。学习真理而实行的人，则如同播种之后又耕土覆种；于是种子因雨水而长成庄稼，并成为滋养生命之用。主说：“你们既知道这些事，若去行就有福了”（约13:17）。又在别处说：“那撒在好土里的，就是人听了圣言并留心，于是结果，并且实行”（太13:23）。又说：“凡听见我这些话而实行的，我要把他比作一个聪明人，把房子建在磐石上；……凡听见我这些话却不实行的，要比作一个愚拙人，把房子建在沙土上”（太7:24，26）。主的话全都是真理。
347# 关于信仰的形成方式：它是通过人靠近主，从圣言学习真理并照之生活实现的。首先，信仰是通过人靠近主而形成的，因为系信仰，或系得救信仰的信仰，来自主并在主里面。信仰来自主，这一点从主对门徒说的话明显看出来：
你们要住在我里面，我也住在你们里面，因为离了我，你们就不能做什么。（约翰福音15:4，5）
信仰是在主里面的信仰，这一点从前面（TCR 337-338节）引用的大量经文明显看出来，大意是：人当信子。由于信仰来自主并在主里面，所以可以说，主就是信仰本身，因为信仰的生命和本质都在主里面，因而来自祂。
其次，信仰是通过人从圣言学习真理而形成的，因为就其本质而言，信仰就是真理；事实上，进入信仰的一切都是真理；因此，信仰就是在人的心智中闪闪发光的一大批真理，或真理的复合体；因为真理不仅教导人应当相信，还教导他应当相信谁、相信什么。真理必须取自圣言，因为通往救赎的一切真理都在圣言中；它们是有效的，因为它们是主赐下的，因而被刻在整个天使天堂；因此，当人从圣言学习真理时，他就进入与天使的交流和联结中，这种交流和联结的紧密性超出他的意识。没有真理的信仰就像没有内核或内在实质的谷粒，碾碎后只产出麸皮；而由真理形成的信仰就像有用的谷粒，碾碎后产出面粉。总之，信仰的本质是真理；如果真理不进入并构成信仰，那么信仰只是像刺耳的哨声；但当真理进入并构成信仰时，信仰就像传扬救恩的好消息的声音。
再次，信仰是由人照着真理生活而形成的，因为属灵的生活是遵行真理的生活，真理在付诸于行动之前，并没有真正地活着。脱离行为的真理只是思维；除非它们也成为意愿的一部分，否则它们只在人的入口处，因而不是从内在在他里面。意愿才是人本身，思维只在它与意愿结合的量和质上而是人。学习真理却不实践真理的人，就像一个在田里撒下种子，却不把它耙进去的人；结果，种子因雨水而泡胀，从而被毁掉，变得一文不值。但学习并实践真理的人，就像一个播下种子并把它耙进去的人；然后，雨水使种子长成庄稼，可以用来作食物。主说：
你们既知道这些事，若是去行就有福了。（约翰福音13:17）
又说：
撒在好地上的，就是人听圣言明白了，并结出果实来。（马太福音13:23）
还说：
凡听见我这话就去行的，好比一个谨慎的人，把房子盖在磐石上。凡听见我这话不去行的，好比一个愚蠢的人，把房子盖在沙土上。（马太福音7:24，26）
主的一切话都是真理。
347. As for the manner in which faith is formed, this happens by our turning to the Lord, learning truths from the Word, and living by those truths.
First of all, faith is formed by our turning to the Lord, because faith that is real, that is, faith that brings salvation, is faith from the Lord and faith in the Lord. It is clear from the Lord's words to the disciples that faith is from him: "Live in me and I [shall live] in you, because without me you cannot do anything" (John 15:4-5). As for faith being a faith in the Lord, see the many passages cited above, 337-338, which show that we have to believe in the Son. Given that faith is faith from the Lord and faith in the Lord, you could say that the Lord is faith itself, for its life and essence exist in the Lord and come from him.
[2] Second, faith is formed by our learning truths from the Word, because faith in its essence is truth. All the elements that constitute faith are truths. Faith, then, is nothing but an array of truths shining in our mind. Truths teach not only that we need to have beliefs but also in whom to believe and what to believe.
Truths need to be taken from the Word, because all the truths that make a contribution to our salvation are there. These truths are genuinely effective because they have been given by the Lord and have been engraved on the entire angelic heaven. As a result, when we learn truths from the Word, without our knowing it we come into contact and association with angels.
Faith without truths is like a seed without a kernel. If you grind it, you get nothing but chaff. Faith made of truths is like a seed from the harvest. If you grind it, you get flour. To put it briefly, truths are essential components of faith. If faith does not contain truths, it is merely like the sound of idle whistling. When faith contains truths, it is like the sound of the call to our salvation.
[3] Third, faith is formed by our living by those truths, because a spiritual life is a life that follows truths. Truths are not actually alive before they exist in actions. Truths dissociated from actions are just thoughts. If they do not become part of our will, they are not inside us; they are only on our threshold. Our will is our true self. Our thinking reflects our true self only to the extent that it is connected to our will.
People who learn truths and do not live by them are like people who scatter seeds on top of a field but do not plow them under - the seeds become swollen by the rain and split into empty husks. People who learn truths and do them are like people who sow and plow the seeds under. With the benefit of rain, the seeds then grow into a harvest and become useful for nutrition. The Lord says, "If you know these things, you are happy if you do them" (John 13:17). And elsewhere, "Those who received seed in good ground are people who hear the Word and pay attention to it, and therefore bear fruit and become productive" (Matthew 13:23). Also, "Everyone who hears my words and does them I will compare to a prudent man who built his house on a rock. But everyone who hears my words and does not do them will be compared to a foolish man who built his house on sand" (Matthew 7:24, 26). All the words of the Lord are truths.
347. As for the formation of faith, this takes place by a person approaching the Lord, learning truths from the Word, and living by them. First: faith is formed by a person approaching the Lord, because faith which is real faith, that is, the faith which saves, is from the Lord and directed to the Lord. The Lord's words to His disciples show plainly that it comes from the Lord:
Remain in me, and I in you, because without me you can do nothing, John 15:4-5.
It is plain that it is faith directed to the Lord from the numerous passages which have been cited (337-338), stating that one must believe in the Son. Now since faith is from the Lord and directed to the Lord, it can be said that the Lord is faith itself, for its life and essence are in the Lord, and so come from Him.
[2] Secondly: the reason why faith is formed by a person learning truths from the Word is that faith essentially is truth; for all the ingredients of faith are truths. Thus faith is nothing but a collection of truths casting light in a person's mind. For truths teach not only that one should believe, but in whom one should believe and what one should believe. Truths must be taken from the Word, because it contains all the truths which lead to salvation; and they are effective because they have been given by the Lord, and are as a result imprinted upon the whole heaven of the angels. When therefore a person goes on to learn truths from the Word, he comes into communion and association with angels, without being aware of it. Faith devoid of truths is like seed devoid of kernel, which if milled produces only bran. But faith derived from truths is like good seed, which if milled produces flour. In short, the essentials of faith are truths; if these are not contained in it and compose it, faith is no more than the sound of a whistle; but when truths are contained in and compose faith, then it is the sound of something that brings salvation.
[3] Thirdly: faith is formed by a person living by truths, because spiritual life is living in accordance with truths, and truths do not really come alive until they are realised in deeds. Truths unconnected with deeds belong merely to a person's thinking; if they are not also accepted by the will, they merely stand at a person's door and so are not within him. For the will is the person himself, and thought is a person to the extent that it joins the will to itself, and the nature of thought is determined by this joining. A person who learns truths without putting them into practice is like someone scattering seeds over a field and not harrowing it; then the rain makes the seeds swell so that they become empty husks. But a person who learns truths and puts them into practice is like someone who sows seed and ploughs the seed in; then the rain makes the seeds grow into a crop, and they become a useful source of food. The Lord says:
If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them, John 13:17.
and in another passage:
The person who sows on good ground is the one who hears the Word and pays attention to it, so that he brings forth and produces fruit, Matthew 13:23.
Also:
Everyone who hears my words and acts upon them, I will compare to a prudent man, who built his house upon a rock; but everyone who hears my words and does not act upon them will be compared to a foolish man who built his house upon sand, Matthew 7:24, 26.
The Lord's words are all of them truths.
347. As to the formation of faith: it is effected by man's going to the Lord, learning truths from the Word, and living according to them. First: Faith is formed by man's going to the Lord, because faith that is faith, or that is a saving faith, is from the Lord and in the Lord. That it is from the Lord is evident from His words to His disciples:
Abide in Me, and I in you for apart from Me, ye can do nothing (John 15:4, 5).
That it is faith in the Lord, is evident from the passages presented in abundance (n. 337, 338), to the effect that men ought to believe in the Son. Since then faith is from the Lord and in the Lord, it may be said that the Lord is faith itself, for its life and essence are in Him, and thus from Him.
[2] Secondly: Faith is formed by man's learning truths from the Word, because faith in its essence is truth; for all things that enter into faith are truths; consequently faith is nothing but a complex of truths shining in the mind of man; for truths teach not only that man ought to believe, but also in whom he ought to believe, and what he ought to believe. Truths ought to be taken from the Word, because all truths that conduce to salvation are in the Word, and there is efficacy in them because they are given by the Lord, and are therefore inscribed on the whole angelic heaven; consequently when man learns truths from the Word, he comes into communion and consociation with angels beyond what he knows. Faith destitute of truths like grain without inner substance, which when ground yields nothing but bran; while faith from truths is like useful grain, which when ground yields flour. In a word, the essentials of faith are truths; and if truths do not reside in and constitute the faith, it is only like the shrill sound of a whistle; but when they do reside in and constitute it, faith is like a voice of glad tidings.
[3] Thirdly: Faith is formed by man's living according to truths, because spiritual life is life according to truths, and truths do not actually live until they are in deeds. Truths abstracted from deeds are merely matters of thought, and unless they become of the will also, are only in the entrance to the man, and thus are not inwardly in him; for the will is the man himself, and the thought is so far the man, in quantity and quality, as it adjoins the will to itself. He who learns truths and does not practice them, is like one who sows seed in a field and does not harrow it in; and consequently the seed becomes swollen by the rain and is spoiled. But he who learns truths and practises them, is like one who sows the seed and covers it, and the rain causes it to grow to a crop and to be of use for food. The Lord says:
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them (John 13:17)
And again:
He that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the Word and giveth heed; who also beareth fruit and bringeth forth (Matthew 13:23);
also:
Everyone that heareth these My words, and doth them, I will liken him unto a prudent man, who built his house upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these My words and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand (Matthew 7:24, 26).
All words of the Lord are truths.
347. Faith is formed in man by approaching the Lord, learning truths from the Word, and living according to them. First, faith is formed by man's approaching the Lord; because faith, properly so-called, and thus faith that leads to salvation, is from the Lord and in the Lord. That it is from the Lord, is evident from His words to the disciples:
"Abide in me, and I in you... for without me ye can do nothing" John 15:4-5.
That it is faith in the Lord, is evident from the numerous passages quoted above in 337-338, to the effect that a man ought to believe in the Son. Now, since faith is from the Lord and in the Lord, it may be said that the Lord is faith itself; for its life and essence are in Him, and consequently from Him.
[2] Secondly, faith is formed by man's learning truths from the Word; for faith in its essence is truth, because all things which enter into faith are truths. Faith, therefore, is nothing but a complex of truths shining in the human mind; for truths teach not only that we ought to believe, but also in whom we ought to believe, and what we ought to believe. Truths must be taken from the Word, because all truths leading to salvation are contained therein; and they are effective, because they are given by the Lord, and are consequently inscribed on the whole angelic heaven; so that when a man learns truths from the Word, he enters into closer communion and consociation with angels than he realizes. Faith without truths is like seed without kernel, which when ground yields nothing but bran; whereas faith formed of truths is like fruitful seed, yielding flour when ground. In a word, the essentials of faith are truths; and if these do not enter into it and constitute it, faith is but a voice whistling in its sound; but if they do enter into it and constitute it, faith is like a voice bearing tidings of salvation.
[3] Thirdly, faith is formed by man's living according to truths; because spiritual life is a life according to truths, and truths do not really live until they are ultimated in deeds. Truths without deeds are matters of thought only; and, if they do not also become matters of the will, they are only at the entrance into man, and thus are not inwardly in him. The will is the man himself, and thought is the man only in the degree and quality in which it enters into conjunction with the will. He who learns truths, and does not do them, is like one who scatters seed in a field, and does not harrow it in; with the result that the seed becomes swollen with the rain and worthless. He, however, who learns truths and does them, is like one who sows his seed and harrows it in. Then the seed, quickened by the rain, grows up into a good crop, and becomes of use for food. The Lord says:
"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" John 13:17;
and in another place:
"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word, and attendeth to it (A.V., understandeth it); which also beareth fruit, and doeth (A.V., bringeth forth). Matthew 13:23;
and again:
"Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock... And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand" Matthew 7:24, 26.
The words of the Lord are all truths.
347. Quod autem FORMATIONEM FIDEI attinet, formatur illa per quod homo adeat Dominum, Veritates ex Verbo discat, et secundum illas vivat. PRIMUM, 1 Quod fides formetur per quod homo adeat Dominum, est quia fides quae fides, ita quae fides salutis, est a Domino et in Dominum; quod a Domino patet a verbis Ipsius ad Discipulos, Manete in Me, et Ego in vobis, quia sine Me, non potestis facere quicquam, Johannes 15:4-5. Quod fides sit in Dominum, patet ex illis locis, quae in copia supra 337-338, 2 adducta sunt, quae sunt, quod credendum sit in Filium. Nunc quia Fides est a Domino et in Dominum, dici potest quod Dominus sit ipsa Fides, 3 vita enim et essentia ejus est in Domino, ita a Domino.
[2] SECUNDUM, Quod fides formetur per quod homo veritates ex Verbo discat, causa est, quia Fides in sua essentia est Veritas, omnia enim, quae ingrediuntur fidem, sunt veritates, quare Fides non aliud est, quam complexus veritatum in mente hominis lucentium: Veritates enim docent, non modo quod credendum sit, sed etiam in quem credendum, et quid credendum. Quod Veritates desumendae sint ex Verbo, est quia omnes veritates, quae conducunt ad salutem, ibi sunt, in quibus est efficacia, quia datae sunt a Domino, et inde inscriptae universo Coelo Angelico; quare cum homo veritates ex Verbo addiscit, in communionem et consociationem cum Angelis venit, praeter quod id sciat: Fides absque veritatibus est sicut semen orbum substantia medullari, quod commolitum dat modo paleas, at Fides ex veritatibus est sicut semen frugi, quod commolitum dat farinam: verbo, Fidei essentialia sunt veritates, quae si non insunt et componunt, est fides modo sicut vox canora sibili, at cum insunt et componunt, est fides sicut vox rei salutiferae.
[3] TERTIUM, quod fides formetur per quod homo secundum veritates vivat, est quia vita spiritualis est vita secundum veritates, ac veritates non actualiter vivunt priusquam sunt in factis; veritates abstractae a factis, sunt solius cogitationis, quae si non fiunt etiam voluntatis, sunt modo in limine ad hominem, et sic non intus in illo, voluntas enim est ipse homo, et cogitatio est tantum et talis homo, quantum et qualiter sibi adjunxit voluntatem. Qui veritates discit et non facit illas, est sicut quis semina circumspargit super agrum, et non occat, inde semina a pluvia tumescunt, et fiunt vappae, at qui veritates discit et facit illas, est sicut qui seminat, et sementem dearat, unde semina a pluvia excrescunt in segetem, et fiunt usui pro nutritione: dicit Dominus, si haec scitis, beati estis si facitis illa, Johannes 13:17. 4 Et alibi, Qui in terram bonam seminatus est, hic est qui Verbum audit et attendit, et inde fructum fert et facit, Matthaeus 13:23. Tum, Omnis qui audit mea verba, et facit illa, comparabo viro prudenti, qui aedificavit domum suam super petra; at omnis audiens verba mea, sed non faciens illa, comparabitur viro stulto, qui aedificavit domum suam super arena, Matthaeus 7:24, 26; verba Domini sunt omnia veritates.
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: Primum (cum italicis).
2. Prima editio: 237-238.
3. Prima editio: Fidcs.
4. Prima editio: XII.