FAITH AS THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT. eBut faith is the main work of the Holy Spirit. Similarly, where he says that the Thessalonians have been chosen by God "in Sanctification of the Spirit and faith in the truth" [.
THE ROMAN DOCTRINE OF “IMPLICIT” FAITH IS BASICALLY FALSE
EVEN RIGHT FAITH IS ALWAYS SURROUNDED BY ERROR AND UNBELIEF
IMPLICIT” FAITH AS A PREREQUISITE FOR FAITH. eWe can also call that faith implicit, which is still strictly speaking nothing more than the preparation of faith. But this teachability, with the desire to learn, is very different from sheer ignorance, in which they lazily rest, who are content with the kind of "implicit belief" invented by the Papists.
FAITH RESTS UPON GOD’S WORD
But because a fuller manifestation of Christ is revealed in the gospel, Paul rightly calls it "the doctrine of faith" [cf. In short, it is not without reason that in the Book of Isaiah, God distinguishes the children of the church from strangers with this sign: he will teach them all.
FAITH ARISES FROM GOD’S PROMISE OF GRACE IN CHRIST
But we only ask what faith finds in the Word of the Lord, on which we can equip ourselves and rest. "For his mercy is multiplied upon us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever."
I CORINTHIANS 13:2-A PROOF OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “FORMED” AND “UNFORMED” FAITH
To such persons is an imputation of faith, but misapplied, F33 because they do not contradict the Word of God with open impiety, or reject or despise it, but rather claim a certain show of obedience.
WHAT IS CALLED “UNFORMED” FAITH IS ONLY AN ILLUSION OF FAITH
Because the Spirit seals strictly speaking forgiveness of sins with the elect only, so that they apply it to their own use by special faith. Only his elect he deems worthy to receive the living root of faith so that they may endure to the end [.
TRUE AND FALSE FAITH
But because he does not give life to the seed which is in their hearts, to keep it always incorruptible as in the elect, it must not be supposed that the Holy Spirit is false. Moreover, although it is clear from the teaching of Scripture and daily experience that the wicked are sometimes touched by the consciousness of divine grace, a desire to love one another must be awakened in their hearts.
DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF THE WORD
A little earlier in F37 we taught that Paul takes "faith" as a gift. to work miracles, a gift possessed by some who have neither been regenerated by the Spirit of God nor worshiped fervently. When the term "religion" is improperly transferred to a false confession or a false label, it. the misuse of the term F38 should seem no worse than when wicked and perverted worship is labeled "the fear of God."
FAITH AS HIGHER KNOWLEDGE
FAITH IMPLIES CERTAINTY
CERTAINTY OF FAITH
For this reason the apostle draws confidence from faith, and from confidence, in turn, from boldness. In like manner, then, the apostle does not regard the eyes of our spirit as well enlightened, unless we discern what is the hope of the eternal.
FAITH IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST TEMPTATION
And yet—and this is a wonderful thing—in the midst of all these attacks, faith sustains the hearts of the pious, and truly resembles a palm tree in its effect [cf. David proves himself guilty of timidity, and when he repeats the same thought twice, he admits that he is repeatedly subject to many disturbing emotions.
THE CONFLICT IN THE HEART OF THE BELIEVER
EVEN WEAK FAITH IS REAL FAITH
But by being ignorant of certain things, or by discerning rather obscurely what it does perceive, the mind is not hindered from enjoying a clear knowledge of the divine will towards itself. It is like a man who, locked up in a prison where the sun's rays shine in obliquely and half-obscured through a rather narrow window, is indeed deprived of the full view of the sun.
THE WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH OF FAITH
So we see that the mind, enlightened by the knowledge of God, is at first shrouded in much ignorance, which gradually dissipates. Besides, there are innumerable and varied temptations which constantly assail us with great violence.
THE WORD OF GOD AS THE SHIELD OF FAITH
When faith itself is wounded, it is as if the soldier's shield was at some point broken by the thrust of the spear, but not in such a way as to be pierced. It is indeed fearful to walk in the darkness of death; and believers, whatever their power may be, cannot but be afraid of it.
RIGHT FEAR
Here he boldly joins the boldness of faith that rests on God's mercy with the reverent awe that we must experience whenever we come into the presence of God's majesty, and by his splendor realize how great is our filthiness. And it is clear from the context that this was the intention of the apostle, where he assigns the cause of fear and trembling to the pleasure of God, by which He gives His people the ability to right will and to continue with courage [.
THE INDESTRUCTIBLE CERTAINTY OF FAITH RESTS UPON CHRIST’S ONENESS WITH US
On the contrary, we must hold fast and courageously with both hands to that fellowship with which he has bound us. Thus the apostle teaches us: "Now your body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit of Christ that dwells in you is life because of righteousness" [Romans 8:10 p.].
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX ON THE TWO ASPECTS OF FAITH
Even if we are nothing in our hearts, perhaps something of us can be hidden in the heart of God. I haven't forgotten it...but we honor it with fear... I say: 'We are, I say, but in the heart of God.
FEAR OF GOD AND HONOR OF GOD
CHILDLIKE AND SERVILE FEAR
He does not threaten that the wrath of God will come upon them, but he warns them to consider the wrath of the Lord prepared for the wicked, because of the evil deeds which he had told, lest they themselves should desire them experienced. . Others subtly interpolate an intermediate form of fear, because that slavish and limited feeling sometimes so subjugates the mind of man that it willingly yields to a proper fear of God.
FAITH ASSURES US NOT OF EARTHLY PROSPERITY BUT OF GOD’S FAVOR
But when God's face shines on us in a fatherly way, even our misery will be blessed. So Paul collects all unfavorable things, but boasts that we are not separated from God's love because of them.
GOD’S PROMISE THE SUPPORT OF FAITH
2 Corinthians 5:18] there is no other sufficiently powerful testimony of God's goodwill toward us, according to the knowledge that faith seeks. When we say, therefore, that faith must rest on a freely given promise, we do not delay believers from embracing and understanding the Word of God in every respect: but we point to the promise of mercy as the proper end of faith.
WHY FAITH DEPENDS SOLELY ON THE PROMISE OF GRACE
But our slanderers unjustly accuse us of denying, as it were, that faith takes into account all parts of God's word. We seek the faith that separates God's children from the wicked and believers from unbelievers.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORD FOR FAITH
Therefore, there cannot be a solid condition of faith if it is not based on God's mercy. Meanwhile, they remind us how carefully we must wait for God's voice; and at the same time confirm what.
THE PROMISE OF FAITH FULFILLED IN CHRIST
The minds of Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah would have perished in their cunning changes, if God's secret bridle had not held them in obedience to the Word. For example, when Naaman the Syrian questioned the prophet about the proper way to worship God, it is unlikely that he was instructed about the Mediator.
THE WORD BECOMES EFFICACIOUS FOR OUR FAITH THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS US TO CHRIST
WITHOUT THE SPIRIT MAN IS INCAPABLE OF FAITH
Indeed, the Word of God is like the sun, shining on all to whom it is preached, but without any effect among the blind. I could scream with wonder; I cannot demonstrate it through disputes.” F60 To summarize: Christ, when he enlightens us in faith through the power of his Spirit, at the same time grafts us into his body, so that we become partakers of every good thing.
FAITH AS A MATTER OF THE HEART
DOUBT CANNOT SMOTHER FAITH
Indeed, only this assurance nourishes and protects faith - when we hold fast to what is said in the psalm: "The Lord is our defense, our help in tribulations. But to the extent that he has tasted the grace of God, according to the measure of faith, he boasts that he despises without fear anything that could disturb his peace of mind.
SCHOLASTIC ERROR CONCERNING THE ASSURANCE OF FAITH
F65 For, to pass over the manner in which this passage is mistranslated in the Vulgate, even children cannot miss what Solomon means by these words. As Solomon had written a little before, one cannot tell how the soul of a man differs from the soul of a beast, for both seem to die in the same way [.
THE CHRISTIAN REJOICES IN THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT
Paul denies that those who are not moved by the Spirit of Christ are servants of Christ [cf. Now we know, says John, that he abides in us by the Spirit he has given us. [ 1 John and what else do we do, but question the promises of Christ when we wish to count ourselves God's servants apart from His Spirit, which He has declared He would pour out upon all His people.
THE ALLEGED UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHETHER WE WILL PERSEVERE TO THE END
But we consider them only in his Word, the truth of which we must be so convinced of that we must regard everything he says as already done and fulfilled. Shortly afterwards he adds that these things are not enough, but are the beginning of faith; Because in believing that sins can only be forgiven by God, we must at the same time believe that they are forgiven, as long as we are also convinced by the witness of the Holy Spirit that salvation is reserved for us.
FAITH AND HOPE BELONG TOGETHER
Hope strengthens faith so that it will not waver in God's promises or begin to doubt their reality. It keeps faith in the end goal so that it may not fail in the middle of the course or even at the starting gate.
FAITH AND HOPE HAVE THE SAME FOUNDATION
E CHAPTER 3
OUR REGENERATION BY FAITH: REPENTANCE F82
REPENTANCE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF FAITH
REPENTANCE HAS ITS FOUNDATION IN THE GOSPEL, WHICH FAITH EMBRACES
Hosea's exhortation also shows this: “Come, let us return to Jehovah; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he has struck and he will heal us”. I speak of a great many of the Anabaptists, especially those who wonderfully exult in being considered spiritual; F88and of their companions, the Jesuits, F89 and similar rubbish.
MORTIFICATION AND VIVIFICATION
It means rather a desire for a holy and devoted life, a desire that comes from rebirth; as if it were said that a man dies to himself, that he may begin to live to God.
PENANCE UNDER LAW AND UNDER GOSPEL
Definition of Repentance: Explanation of its Elements, Mortification of the Flesh and Revival of the Spirit, 5-9).
DEFINITION
That was also Peter's own repentance; indeed he wept bitterly. Repentance Defined: Explanation of Its Elements, Mortification of the Flesh and Quickening of the Spirit, 5-9).
REPENTANCE AS TURNING TO GOD
REPENTANCE AS INDUCED BY THE FEAR OF GOD?
MORTIFICATION AND VIVIFICATION AS COMPONENT PARTS OF REPENTANCE
For even if the life of man is full of all the virtues, if it is not directed to the worship of God, it can indeed be praised by the world; but in heaven it will be pure.
REBIRTH IN CHRIST!
This does not deny us room for growth; rather, I say, the closer a person approaches the image of God, the more the image of God shines in him.
BELIEVERS ARE STILL SINNERS
In order for believers to reach this goal, God assigns them a race of repentance to run throughout their lives. As for the saints, he loses his authority on earth and perishes in heaven.” With these words, he admits that believers are guilty of sin in so far as they are subject to the excessive desires of the flesh.
IN BELIEVERS SIN HAS LOST ITS DOMINION; BUT IT STILL DWELLS IN THEM
To be moved by sudden emotions, to grasp in sense perception, to conceive in the mind - are not these powers of the soul. Therefore, when they open themselves to vain and corrupt thoughts, they do not show that they are empty of the love of God to such an extent.
WHAT DOES “NATURAL CORRUPTION” MEAN?
Since all the faculties of our souls should be so filled with the love of God, it is certain that this precept will not be fulfilled by those who can either retain in their hearts a slight inclination, or let into their minds any thought which would lead them away from the love of God into vanity. For this reason he who does not admit that all bodily desires are sins, but that disease of excessive desire which they call it.
AUGUSTINE AS WITNESS TO THE SINFULNESS OF BELIEVERS
For unless we understand that he is speaking only of evil works or actual sins, even evil intention will not be considered sin. But from the fact that he calls shameful deeds and evil deeds the "offspring of excessive desire" and applies to them the name "sin," it immediately follows that excessive desire is an evil thing and damnable before God.
AGAINST THE ILLUSION OF PERFECTION
Secondly, His sanctification so purifies us that we are besieged by many weaknesses and infirmities as long as we are encumbered with our flesh. Unless we happen to be convinced that we have made more progress than the apostle, who was still harassed by Satan's angel [2 Corinthians 12:7], "whereas his power was made perfect in weakness" [ .
REPENTANCE ACCORDING TO <470711> 2 CORINTHIANS 7:11
First, He was given to us for sanctification so that He could bring us, cleansed from impurity and pollution, to obedience to God's righteousness. The "diligence" is also related to this. that he joins directly with it, because it indicates a zeal by which we are excited when those traces are applied to us.
OUTWARD AND INWARD REPENTANCE
Fruits of repentance: holiness of life, confession and forgiveness of sins; repentance is all life, 16-20). Ancient writers often refer to these kinds of exercises when discussing the fruits of repentance.
THE OUTWARD PRACTICE OF PENANCE MUST NOT BECOME THE CHIEF THING
CONFESSION OF SIN BEFORE GOD AND BEFORE MEN
We should carefully observe this distinction, lest, when we hear that few are called to repentance, we become careless, as if the death of the flesh no longer concerned us. For the base desires that always plague us, and the vices that repeatedly spring up in us, do not allow us to relax our anxiety about mortality.
REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS ARE INTERRELATED
First he declares that the treasures of God's grace have been opened in himself; then he requires repentance; finally, trust in God's promises. Forgiveness of sins is proclaimed when people are taught that Christ has become for them salvation, righteousness, b(a)salvation and life [1 Corinthians 1:30], through whose name they are freely justified and innocent in God's sight be counted. .
IN WHAT SENSE IS REPENTANCE THE PRIOR CONDITION OF FORGIVENESS?
For this reason, when God offers forgiveness of sins, he usually asks us to repent in turn, implying that his mercy must cause people to repent. Therefore, as long as we dwell in the prison house of our body, we must constantly struggle with the defects of our corrupt nature, indeed with our natural spirit.
REPENTANCE AS GOD’S FREE GIFT
Not because repentance, properly speaking, is the cause of salvation, but because it can already be seen that it is inseparable from faith and God's mercy, when, as Isaiah testifies, "the savior will come to Zion and to those in Jacob who they turn. back from iniquity” [Isaiah 59:20]. The apostle, who also wanted to exclude apostates from the hope of salvation, gives the reason that "it is impossible to bring them back to repentance" (Hebrews 6:4-6 p.).
UNPARDONABLE SIN
I say, then, that they sin against the Holy Spirit who, with evil intentions, resist God's truth, even though they have been so touched by its brightness that they cannot plead ignorance. But how can anyone rebuke the Son without at the same time being directed against the Spirit.
HOW THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF “SECOND REPENTANCE”
1 Timothy 1:13], which would otherwise make him unworthy of the Lord's favor. If he obtained forgiveness through ignorance coupled with unbelief, it follows that where knowledge is coupled with unbelief there is no place for forgiveness.
THOSE WHO CANNOT BE FORGIVEN ARE THOSE WHO CANNOT REPENT
SHAM REPENTANCE AND HONEST REPENTANCE
However, by remitting punishments for a time, he does not bind himself with eternal law, but on the contrary sometimes rises up more strongly against the hypocrites and doubles them. But as I have said, he sets forth some examples of his readiness to forgive, by which godly men may be encouraged to amend their lives, and the pride of those who persevere against thorns may be more severely chastened.
E CHAPTER 4
HOW FAR FROM THE PURITY OF THE GOSPEL IS ALL THAT THE SOPHISTS IN THEIR SCHOOLS
CONFESSION AND SATISFACTION
THE SCHOLASTIC DOCTRINE OF PENANCE
But where they seem to have wounded hearts deeply, they heal all bitterness with a light sprinkling of rites. F134 This division is no more logical than the definition — though they want to look as if they have spent their whole lives in the making of syllogisms.
THE SCHOLASTIC DOCTRINE OF PENANCE TORMENTS THE CONSCIENCE
Because it wouldn't be very difficult for me to investigate everything that they think they can skillfully and subtly challenge. And they do not understand the magnitude of the debt so that they can discern within themselves that they have paid what they owed.
NOT THE SINNER’S CONTRITION, BUT THE LORD’S MERCY AWAITS
Therefore, when the conscience has long wrestled with itself, and exercised itself in long struggle, it still finds no harbor in which to rest. Therefore both the Pharisees must be excluded, who, satiated with their own righteousness, do not recognize their poverty; and.
CONFESSION NOT ENJOINED: REFUTATION OF SCHOLASTIC ALLEGORICAL ARGUMENT FROM THE LEPERS
As if this reasoning did not mock Scripture: the law entrusts the recognition of leprosy to the Levitical priests, let us adopt this for ourselves; sin is spiritual leprosy; let us also be judicial judges of sin. Chrysostom also teaches that this was done by Christ on behalf of the Jews, so that He might not be considered a transgressor of the law.
THE UNBINDING OF LAZARUS MISAPPLIED
Therefore, that the papal victims may retain this possession, openly side with those whom it is necessary to restrain by force from cursing Christ.
SCRIPTURAL CONFESSION
But no one can confess the mercy of God until he has previously confessed his own misery.
COMPULSORY CONFESSION UNKNOWN IN THE ANCIENT CHURCH
Indeed, it was not a function common to all priests, but the exclusive function of one priest chosen for that purpose by the bishop. But with the same sentence they will condemn the Church of Constantinople in which, Sozomen declares, the practice of confession was not only neglected for a time, but also fell into disuse in memory.
CHRYSOSTOM DOES NOT ENJOIN CONFESSION TO MEN
CONFESSION BEFORE GOD
Because in the Scriptures one way of confession is prescribed for this: since it is the Lord who forgives, forgets and wipes away our sins, let us confess our sins to Him in order to obtain forgiveness. It is he who finally calls sinners: let us not delay in coming to God himself.
CONFESSION OF SINS BEFORE MEN
GENERAL CONFESSION OF SIN
Besides the fact that the common profession has been praised by the mouth of the Lord, no one in his right mind, who weighs its usefulness, can venture to censure it. For since in every holy assembly we stand before the sight of God and the angels, what other beginning of our action will there be than the recognition of our own unworthiness.
PRIVATE CONFESSION IN THE CURE OF SOULS
For even though the ceremony that the Lord imposed on the Israelites was part of the guardianship of the law, the reality that underlies it in some way also concerns us. It follows that this kind of confession should be free, so that it is not required of everyone, but recommended only to those who know they have need of it.
PRIVATE CONFESSION FOR THE REMOVAL OF AN OFFENSE
Next, that those who use it according to their own need, are not compelled by any rule, nor induced by any trick, to tell all their sins. For both those who have a troubled conscience may receive a notable benefit thereby, and those who need to be admonished may thus be prepared for admonition, provided that tyranny and superstition are always excluded.
NATURE AND VALUE OF THE POWER OF THE KEYS
Meanwhile, I do not object so much to the sheep presenting themselves to their Shepherd as often as to partake of the Lord's Supper. But when it comes to the question of keys, we must always be careful not to invent some power separate from the preaching of the gospel, e(c) I will explain this matter more fully in another place, where I will deal with the government of the church.
SUMMARY OF THE ROMAN DOCTRINE OF CONFESSION
F161 These keys are said to have been given by Christ to all priests, and to have been conferred on them by bishops at their promotion, but their free use belongs only to those who practice. church functions; that the keys indeed remain in the possession of the excommunicated and suspended clergy, but rusted and bound. And those who say these things may justly appear humble and sober in comparison with those who have forged new keys on a new anvil, and who teach that the treasury of the church is locked up under these keys. the sheep will discuss these matters later for them.
THE ENUMERATION OF ALL SINS IS IMPOSSIBLE
THE REQUIREMENT OF COMPLETE CONFESSION IS A MEASURELESS TORMENT
1 John 3:20]; thus they tremble at the sight of the Judge, whose knowledge is far beyond our understanding.
THE PERNICIOUS EFFECT OF DEMANDING COMPLETE CONFESSION
They boast that the office of binding and loosing has been committed to them as if it were a certain jurisdiction, together with investigation. And to know with certainty whether the sinner has been acquitted does not concern the priest, but upon him from whom acquittal is sought, for he who hears can never know whether the list is.
AGAINST AURICULAR CONFESSION
F168 Thus, there would be no pardon if it were not limited to the words of the one to be judged. And these two things escape a man's knowledge when he has to judge another man.
BASELESS APPEAL TO THE POWER OF THE KEYS
We must conclude, therefore, that there are no priestlings who have the power of the keys who indiscriminately repeatedly lose what the Lord willed to be bound, and bind what He commanded to be loosed. And we also grant that only those who are worthy to be bound or loosed can be bound or loosed; but the messengers of the gospel and the church have the Word to measure this worthiness.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERVERTED AND RIGHT USE OF THE POWER OF THE KEYS
On the part of the one who confesses, the pernicious fear that binds his conscience is manifested in the fact that, although he is dependent on the judgment of the priest, as they say, he cannot gather anything from the Word of God. The sinner can indeed embrace true and manifest absolution when that simple condition is applied: embracing the grace of Christ according to the general rule of the Master himself, a rule impiously rejected by the papacy:
PERVERSE CLAIMS EXPOSED
In this way, the one who, in the function of a messenger, publishes what is dictated to him from the word of God cannot be mistaken. But they add that the one who has already achieved forgiveness before God is forgiven in the eyes of the church.
SUMMARY
But they tear together here and there testimonies with which they can prove that it is not enough to confess sin either to God alone or to the laity, unless a priest is the examiner. Besides, I have learned that it is a pestilential law, which either, where godliness flourishes, plunges wretched souls into despair, or, where there is.
GENERAL PRESENTATION AND REFUTATION OF THE ROMAN DOCTRINE
Moreover, I have shown that this tyranny was introduced at the time when the world was oppressed by hideous barbarism. How then do they learn that forgiveness is to be understood by the term "satisfaction."
CHRIST HAS PROVIDED FULL SATISFACTION
Only Christ's grace provides true satisfaction for sin and peace of conscience, 26-27). He does not say, “God is reconciled to you once and for all through Christ; now find another way.” But make him an eternal advocate, so that, through his intercession, he would always restore us to the Father's favor; an.
THE ROMAN DOCTRINE DEPRIVES CHRIST OF HONOR, AND THE CONSCIENCE OF EVERY ASSURANCE
L187 But even if we were to grant that they expiate some sins by suitable satisfaction, what will they do when they are overwhelmed with so many sins to satisfy, as a hundred lives, even if they were entirely devoted to this purpose, could not enough. e Moreover, all the passages which declare the remission of sins concern not catechumens, but the regenerate. God's children, who have long been nurtured in the bosom of the church. So where Paul writes to the Colossians that Christ has "reconciled all that is in heaven or on earth ... by the blood of the cross". received in the church, but expands it throughout life.
VENIAL AND MORTAL SINS
FORGIVENESS OF SINS INVOLVES REMISSION OF PENALTY
Now if these passages mean that revenge will be retaliated - which is beyond all doubt - we must also not doubt that the Lord confirms by contradictory statements that he renounces all punishment of revenge.
CHRIST’S UNIQUE SACRIFICE CAN ALONE REMOVE BOTH PENALTY AND GUILT
In a few words, Hosea eloquently expressed what kind of recompense the Lord requires from us: "You will remove," O God, "all iniquity." You see, there is forgiveness of sins. When the Lord declares through Ezekiel that he will end the Babylonian exile, not for the sake of the Jews, but for himself [Ezekiel shows.
MISINTERPRETATIONS EXPOSED: GOD’S JUDGMENTS, PENAL AND CORRECTIVE
He is not so harsh in judgment of punishment as to be angry, nor does he retaliate by blasting with destruction. Correction for the son serves as a trial and correction; for a slave as a whip and punishment.” F198.
GOD’S JUDGMENT IN VENGEANCE HAS A WHOLLY DIFFERENT PURPOSE FROM THAT OF HIS JUDGMENT IN
And there is no contradiction in the fact that it is often said that the Lord is angry with His saints when He punishes them for their sins. In the prophet, he shows how much respect he has for this leniency in punishing his people Israel: "I have purified you in fire," he says, "but not as silver" (Isaiah 48:10).
JUDGMENT OF VENGEANCE SERVES TO PUNISH;
Comm.] To make us more sure of his mercy, he says that the rod, by which he shall try the descendants of Solomon, shall be of man; the lines of the sons of men [. That is, while we as children of God are afflicted by the hand of the Heavenly Father, this is not a punishment to confuse us, but only a punishment to guide us.
THE BELIEVER UNDERGOING GOD’S CHASTISEMENT IS NOT TO LOSE HEART
For this reason he adds a reason for comfort: the admonition of the law, by which they may learn that there is concern for their salvation when they are called back to the way; but that the wicked are carried headlong into their own delusions, the end of which is the pit. Because wars, famines, pestilences, diseases are just as many curses of God as the very judgment of eternal death, when they are inflicted to the end that they can be.
THE PUNISHMENT OF DAVID
We read that the publican was justified in leaving the temple; no penalty follows [. Peter was forgiven for his transgression [Luke 12:61]; we read about his tears, says Ambrož, we don't read about satisfaction.
GOOD WORKS AS REDEMPTION OF PUNISHMENT
God inflicts chastisements for this reason—that he may call to repentance those who persist in wrongdoing—after repentance has appeared, chastisements will already be superfluous.” F203 Therefore, as he knows that it is suitable to the nature of every man, he treats the one with the greatest severity, the other with the most benevolent pleasure. On the contrary, in the well-known manner of Scripture, he shows that he will show himself merciful to those who, having said farewell to the vices and wickedness of past, are in piety and the truth returned by him.
THE WOMAN WHO WAS A SINNER
THE ROMAN DOCTRINE CANNOT CLAIM THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH FATHERS
But in a book, The Dogmas of the Church, attributed to Augustine, one reads as follows: "The satisfaction of repentance is to cut off the causes of sin, not to give access to their suggestions. " F208 From this it is clear that even in those times the doctrine of satisfaction, which was said to be a retribution for sins committed, was generally laughed at, since they associated all satisfaction with prudence to abstain from sins afterward. Augustine somewhere calls the works of mercy "means of obtaining forgiveness of sin"; but that no one stumbles over this word, he meets this objection in another place.
THE SCHOOLMEN CORRUPT THE TEACHING OF THE FATHERS
I know that the old writers sometimes speak rather harshly; and, as I have just said, I do not deny that they may have made a mistake; but those of their writings, marred here and there with a few spots, become utterly defiled when handled by the unwashed hands of these men. And if we are to fight on the basis of the authority of the fathers, which fathers, good God, do these men impose on us.
E CHAPTER 5
THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT THEY ADD TO SATISFACTIONS, NAMELY, INDULGENCES
AND PURGATORY
- INDULGENCES ACCORDING TO ROMANIST DOCTRINE, AND THE MISCHIEF CAUSED BY THEM
- INDULGENCES CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE
- AUTHORITIES AGAINST INDULGENCES AND MERITS OF MARTYRS
- REFUTATION OF OPPOSING SCRIPTURAL PROOFS How maliciously they twist the passage in Paul wherein he says that in
- INDULGENCES OPPOSE THE UNITY AND THE COMPREHENSIVE ACTIVITY OF THE GRACE OF CHRIST
- REFUTATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF PURGATORY IS NECESSARY
- ALLEGED PROOFS OF PURGATORY FROM THE GOSPELS But it behooves us to wrest from their hands those passages of Scripture
- FROM PHILIPPIANS, REVELATION, AND SECOND MACCABEES
- THE CRUCIAL PASSAGE IN 1 CORINTHIANS CH. 3 But in Paul they claim to have an invincible phalanx, that cannot be so
- THE APPEAL TO THE EARLY CHURCH CANNOT HELP THE ROMANISTS
The merits of Christ and the holy apostles and martyrs our opponents call the. treasury of the church.” But who cannot see that the Lord is there speaking about the guilt of sin?
THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN MAN; AND FIRST, BY WHAT ARGUMENTS SCRIPTURE
URGES US TO IT
- PLAN OF THE TREATISE
- MOTIVES FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
- THE CHRISTIAN LIFE RECEIVES ITS STRONGEST MOTIVE TO GOD’S WORK THROUGH THE PERSON AND REDEMPTIVE
- THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT A MATTER OF THE TONGUE BUT OF THE INMOST HEART
- IMPERFECTION AND ENDEAVOR OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE I do not insist that the moral life of a Christian man breathe nothing but
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT A QUESTION OF THE INNER HEART'S TONGUE, BUT OF THE INNER HEART. Therefore, let us not cease to act so that we may make some unceasing progress in the way of the Lord.
THE SUM OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: THE DENIAL OF OURSELVES
- WE ARE NOT OUR OWN MASTERS, BUT BELONG TO GOD Even though the law of the Lord provides the finest and best-disposed
- SELF-DENIAL THROUGH DEVOTION TO GOD
- SELF-RENUNCIATION ACCORDING TO TITUS, CHAPTER 2 In another place, Paul more clearly, although briefly, delineates the
- SELF-DENIAL GIVES US THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARD OUR FELLOW MEN
- SELF-RENUNCIATION LEADS TO PROPER HELPFULNESS TOWARD OUR NEIGHBORS
- LOVE OF NEIGHBOR IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON MANNER OF MEN BUT LOOKS TO GOD
- THE OUTWARD WORK OF LOVE IS NOT SUFFICIENT, BUT IT IS INTENTION THAT COUNTS!
- SELF-DENIAL TOWARD GOD: DEVOTION TO HIS WILL!
- TRUST IN GOD’S BLESSING ONLY
- SELF-DENIAL HELPS US BEAR ADVERSITY
Therefore let this be the first step, that a man depart from himself in order to be able to use all the power of his skill in the service of the Lord. Show me a man, if thou canst, who, unless by the Lord's command he has renounced himself, would freely exercise goodness among men.
BEARING THE CROSS, A PART OF SELF-DENIAL
- CHRIST’S CROSS AND OURS
- THE CROSS LEADS US TO PERFECT TRUST IN GOD’S POWER
- THE CROSS PERMITS US TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND GIVES US HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
- THE CROSS TRAINS US TO PATIENCE AND OBEDIENCE The Lord also has another purpose for afflicting his people: to test their
- THE CROSS AS MEDICINE
- THE CROSS AS FATHERLY CHASTISEMENT Besides this, it is needful that our most merciful Father should not only
- SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE
- SUFFERING UNDER THE CROSS, THE CHRISTIAN FINDS CONSOLATION IN GOD
- THE CHRISTIAN, UNLIKE THE STOIC, GIVES EXPRESSION TO HIS PAIN AND SORROW
- REAL SORROW AND REAL PATIENCE IN CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER
- PATIENCE ACCORDING TO PHILOSOPHIC AND CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING
They are also, I claim, instructed by the cross to obey, because thus they are taught not to live according to their own desire, but according to God's will. If we are thrown out of our own home, F272 then we will be received more intimately into God's family.
MEDITATION ON THE FUTURE LIFE F277
- THE VANITY OF THIS LIFE
- OUR TENDENCY TO LEAVE UNNOTICED THE VANITY OF THIS LIFE
- GRATITUDE FOR EARTHLY LIFE!
- THE RIGHT LONGING FOR ETERNAL LIFE
- AGAINST THE FEAR OF DEATH!
- THE COMFORT PREPARED FOR BELIEVERS BY ASPIRATION FOR THE LIFE TO COME
Now whatever is taken away from the perverse love of this life should be added to the desire for a better one. And what else is it for us to remain in life but to be immersed in death.
HOW WE MUST USE THE PRESENT LIFE AND ITS HELPS
- DOUBLE DANGER: MISTAKEN STRICTNESS AND MISTAKEN LAXITY
- THE MAIN PRINCIPLE
- A LOOK AT THE GIVER OF THE GIFT PREVENTS NARROW- MINDEDNESS AND IMMODERATION
- ASPIRATION TO ETERNAL LIFE ALSO DETERMINES ARIGHT OUR OUTWARD CONDUCT OF LIFE
- FRUGALITY, EARTHLY POSSESSIONS HELD IN TRUST The second rule will be: they who have narrow and slender resources
- THE LORD’S CALLING A BASIS OF OUR WAY OF LIFE Finally, this point is to be noted: the Lord bids each one of us in all life’s
But no less diligently, on the other hand, must we resist the lust of the flesh, which, if not kept in order, overflows without measure. The smell of the kitchen or the sweetness of its aromas so stupefy others that they are unable to smell anything spiritual.
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH: FIRST THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD AND OF THE MATTER
PLACE AND MEANING OF THE DOCTRINE OF
THE CONCEPT OF JUSTIFICATION
SCRIPTURAL USAGE