Chapter 3: OF JUSTIFICATION AND FAITH

OF JUSTIFICATION AND FAITH

In regard to those things which were commonly taught concerning the manner in which we become partaker of the redemption made by Christ and concerning the duties of a Christian, our preachers differ somewhat from the lately received dogmas. Those points which we have followed we will endeavor to explain most plainly to Your Most Worshipful Majesty and at the same tame to indicate in good faith the Scripture passages that have constrained us thereto. First, therefore, since for some years we were taught that man's own works are necessary for his justification, our preachers have taught that this whole justification is to be ascribed to the good pleasure of God and the merit of Christ, and to be received by faith alone. Among others, the following passages of Scripture have moved them thereto: "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh but of God" (John 1:12, IS). "Verily, verily, I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God ' (John 3:3). "No man knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him" (Matt. 11:27). "Blessed art thou, Simon BarJona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee"(Matt 16:17). "No man can come unto me, unless my Father draw him" (John 6:44). "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:810). For since it is our righteousness and eternal life to know God and Jesus Christ our Saviour, and this is so far from being a work of flesh and blood that it is necessary for this to be born again; neither on we come to the Son, unless the Father draw us: neither know the Father, unless the Son reveal him; and Paul writes so clearly. " not of us, nor of our works," - it is evident enough that our works can help us nothing, so that instead of unrighteous, as we are born, we may become righteous; because as we are by nature the children of wrath, and on this account unrighteous, so we are unable to do anything just or pleasing to God. But the beginning of all our righteousness and salvation must proceed from the mercy of the Lord, who from his own Favor and the contemplation of the death of his Son first offers the doctrine of truth and his Gospel, those being sent Forth who are to preach it: and, secondly, since "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God," as St. Paul says (I Cor. 2:14), he causes a beam of his light to arise at the same time in the darkness of our heart, so that now we may believe his Gospel preached, being persuaded of the truth thereof by his Spirit from above, and then, relying upon the testimony of this Spirit, may all upon him with filial confidence and say, " Abba. Father," obtaining thereby sure salvation, according to the saying: "Whosoever shall all upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."