De Hominis Justificatione. Tantum propter meritum Domini ac Servatoris nostri Jesu Christi, per fidem, non propter opera, et merita nostra, justi coram Deo reputamur. Quare sola fide nos justificari doctrina est saluberrima, et consolationis plenissima, ut in homilia de Justificatione Hominis fusius explicatur. What is the subject of this Article? What do you mean by justification'? On account of what are we justified'? By what means do we apply that merit to ourselves? How is this doctrine expressed in the Communion Service? Why is it a wholesome doctrine? Why is it full of comfort? What is the Homily referred to at the close of this Article?? What are the three points asserted in this Articles? How Repeat Romans iii. 28. What are here excluded from being the means of our justification? is this doctrine repeated in another Epistle? (Gal. ii. 16.) Repeat Ephes. ii. 8, 9. What is the meaning of the words "ye are saved" in this passage'? 1 The being accounted righteous. 2 The merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 3 By faith. 4 "Humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, &c." (Post Communion Service.) 5 Because it humbles pride. 6 Because it prevents despair. 7 That of the Salvation of all mankind. 8 (1) We are not justified on account of our own works; (2) but on account of the merit of Christ; (3) and this benefit is communicated to us through faith. 9 Ye are put into a state of salvation. Repeat Romans iii. 24-26. What is a propitiation'? What then is the ground of our justification? What do you mean by being justified freely?? Repeat Romans v. 1. Repeat Gal. ii. 16. When St. Paul declares that we are accounted righteous by faith only, does he mean that a mere nominal faith would be sufficient? Show the insufficiency of a mere nominal faith from his own statement in another passage? (Romans ii. 13.) What does St. James say of faith without works? (St. James ii. 20.) What was the particular error against which St. Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Galatians? What was the opposite error against which St. James appears to have written'? Is there any inconsistency between them? For example; By means of what was the thief on the cross justified? What proof did he give of his repentance and faith? What must he have done had he lived? Evidence from Antiquity.-Was the doctrine of this Article that of the early Christians? What is the testimony of Clement of Rome"? Of Polycarp'? 1 An atonement. A means of reconciliation. 2 Gratuitously; without being earned. 3 That of seeking justification by the works of the law. 4 That of supposing that faith alone was sufficient. 5 CLEMENT." We are not justified by ourselves, neither by our own wisdom, or knowledge, or piety, or works that we have done in the holiness of our hearts; but by that faith by which God Almighty has justified all men from the beginning." (Clem. Ep. ad. Corinth. c. 32.) 6 POLYCARP.-"Ye are saved by grace, not by works, but by the will of God, through Jesus Christ. (S. Polycarp. ad Phil. § 1.) 44 ARTICLE XII. Of Good Works. Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's Judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith; insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit. De bonis Operibus. Bona opera, quæ sunt fructus fidei, et justificatos sequuntur, quanquam peccata nostra expiare, et divini judicii severitatem ferre non possunt; Deo tamen grata sunt, et accepta in Christo, atque ex vera et viva fide necessario profluunt, ut plane ex illis æque fides viva cognosci possit, atque arbor ex fructu judicari. What is the history of this Article'? Against what two errors does it appear to be directed?? What are the propositions contained in it 3? What do you mean when you say that good works cannot put away sins? Why cannot they endure the severity of God's judgment? How does Isaiah describe the righteousness of man? 1 It did not exist in those of Edward VI. 1552; but was added in 1562. 2 That of the Romanists, who hold that good works are meritorious; and that of the Antinomians and others, who hold that faith only is sufficient. 3 (1) That good works cannot put away sin, or endure the severity of God's judgment; (2) That they are nevertheless pleasing; (3) They are pleasing through Christ's merits; (4) They spring necessarily from a lively faith. 4 They cannot expiate them. |