a priest, hath driven infinite souls into desperation; and is subject to so many corruptions, that it ought long since to have been abrogated, and without doubt had been abrogated, if the governors of churches, in late times, had burned with so great a zeal to remove away stumbling-blocks, as, in times past, Nestorius, the bishop of Constantinople, did burn; who did utterly abolish secret confession in his church, because that a certain noblewoman, going often to church, under pretence of doing the works of repentance, was deprehended to have lain with a deacon. Infinite such undoubted sins were committed everywhere. Moreover, the Pontifical laws do require, that the hearer and judge of confession should be so holy, learned, wise, merciful, that a man can hardly find out, especially among those that are commonly appointed to hear confessions, to whom he might confess himself. And now the schoolmen do think, that it is better to confess sins to a layman, than to that priest, by whom we may not look to be edified in godliness. This is the sum: That confession bringeth more hurt than profit, which sound repentance and true sorrow of the mind for sins committed doth not wring out. Therefore, seeing this is the gift of God alone, that we repent of our sins, and be truly sorrowful for that we have sinned, nothing, that may turn to salvation, can be done in this matter by commandments, as hath hitherto been made too manifest even by experience.

THE NINTH SECTION.

OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH; AND OF GOOD WORKS, AND THEIR REWARDS.

I. FROM THE LATTER CONFESSION OF HELVETIA.

Chapter 15. Of the true Justification of the Faithful.

To justify, in the Apostle's disputation touching justification, doth signify to remit sins, to absolve from the fault and the punishment thereof, to receive into favour, to pronounce a man just. For the Apostle saith to the Romans, "God is he that justifieth; who is he that can condemn?" Rom. viii. 33, 34. where to justify, and to condemn, are opposed. And in the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostle saith, "Through Christ is preached unto you

forgiveness of sins; and from all things, (from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses,) by him, every one that believeth is justified." Acts xiii. 38, 39. For in the law also, and in the prophets we read, that "If a controversy were risen amongst any, and they came to judgment, the judge should judge them; that is, justify the righteous, and make wicked, or condemn, the wicked." Deut. xxv. 1. And in Isaiah, v. 23. " Woe to them which justify the wicked for rewards." Now it is most certain, that we are all by nature sinners, and before the judgment-seat of God convicted of ungodliness, and guilty of death. But we are justified, that is, acquitted from sin and death, by God the Judge, through the grace of Christ alone, and not by any respect or merit of ours. For what is more plain, than that which Paul saith?" All have sinned, and are destitute of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." Rom. iii. 23, 24. For Christ took upon himself and bare the sins of the world, and did satisfy the justice of God. God, therefore, is merciful unto our sins, for Christ alone, that suffered and rose again, and doth not impute them unto us. But he imputeth the justice of Christ unto us for our own so that now we are not only cleansed from sin, and purged, and holy, but also endued with the righteousness of Christ; yea, and acquitted from sin, death, and condemnation : 2 Cor. v. 19-21. finally, we are righteous, and heirs of eternal life. To speak properly, then; it is God alone that justifieth us, and that only for Christ, by not imputing unto us our sins, but imputing Christ's righteousness unto us. Rom. iv. 23-25.

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But because we do receive this justification, not by any works, but by faith in the mercy of God, and in Christ; therefore, we teach and believe, with the Apostle, that sinful man is justified only by faith in Christ, not by the law, or by any works. For the Apostle saith, "We conclude that man is justified by faith, without the works of the law." Rom. iii. 28. If Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to boast; but not with God: for what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness; but to him that worketh not, but believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Rom. iv. 2, 3; 5. Gen. xv. 6. And again; "Ye are saved by grace, through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, lest any might have cause to boast, &c." Eph. ii. 8, 9. Therefore, because faith doth apprehend Christ our righteousness, and doth attribute all to the praise of God in Christ; in this

respect justification is attributed to faith, chiefly because of Christ whom it receiveth, and not because it is a work of ours; for it is the gift of God. Now, that we do receive Christ by faith, the Lord sheweth at large, John vi. 27; 33; 35; 48-58. where he putteth eating for believing, and believing for eating. For as by eating we receive meat, so by believing we are made partakers of Christ. Therefore, we do not part the benefit of justification, giving part to the grace of God, or to Christ, and part to ourselves, our charity, works, or merit; but we do attribute it wholly to the praise of God in Christ, and that through faith. Moreover, our charity and our works cannot please God, if they be done of such as are not just: wherefore, we must first be just, before we can love or do any just works. We are made just (as we have said) through faith in Christ, by the mere grace of God; who doth not impute unto us our sins, but imputeth unto us the righteousness of Christ; yea, and our faith in Christ he imputeth for righteousness unto us. Moreover, the Apostle doth plainly derive love from faith, saying, "The end of the commandment is love, proceeding from a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned." 1 Tim. i. 5. Wherefore, in this matter we speak not of a feigned, vain, or dead faith, but of a lively and quickening faith; which, for Christ (who is life, and giveth life) whom it apprehendeth, both is indeed, and is so called, a lively faith, and doth prove itself to be lively, by lively works. And therefore, James doth speak nothing contrary to this our doctrine; for he speaketh of a vain and dead faith, which certain bragged of, but had not Christ living within them by faith. And James also saith, that works do justify; Chap. ii. 14-26. yet he is not contrary to Paul, (for then he were to be rejected ;) but he sheweth that Abraham did declare his lively and justifying faith by works. And so do all the godly, who yet trust in Christ alone, not to their own works. For the Apostle said again, "I live, howbeit not I, but Christ liveth in me. But the life which now I live in the flesh, I live through the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not despise the grace of God; for if righteousness be by the law, then Christ died in vain." Gal. ii. 20, 21.

Chapter 16. Of Faith and Good Works: of their Reward, and of Man's Merit.

Christian faith is not an opinion, or human persuasion; but a sure trust, and an evident and stedfast assent of the mind; to be brief, a most sure comprehension of the truth of God, set forth in

the Scriptures, and in the Apostles' Creed;* yea, and of God himself, the chief blessedness; and especially of God's promise, and of Christ, who is the consummation of all the promises. And this faith is the mere gift of God, because God alone of his power doth give it to his elect, according to measure; and that when, to whom, and how much he will; and that by his Holy Spirit, through the means of preaching the Gospel, and of faithful prayer. This faith hath also her increases; which unless they were likewise given of God, the Apostles would never have said, "Lord, increase our faith." Luke xvii. 5.

2 Thess. iii. 2. Besides, Luke life, believed."

Now, all these things which we have said hitherto of faith, the Apostles taught them before us, even as we set them down. For Paul saith, "Faith is the ground," or sure subsistence, " of things hoped for, and the evidence," or clear and certain comprehension, "of things which are not seen." Heb. xi. 1. And again he saith, that "All the promises of God in Christ are Yea, and in Christ are Amen." 2 Cor. i. 20. And the same Apostle saith to the Philippians, that "it was given them to believe in Christ." Phil. i. 29. And also, "God doth distribute unto every man a measure of faith." Rom. xii. 3. And again, "All men have not faith." and, "All do not obey the Gospel." 2 Thess. i. 8. witnesseth and saith, "As many as were ordained to Acts xiii. 48. And therefore Paul also calleth faith, 66 the faith of God's elect." Tit. i. 1. And again, And again, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. x. 17. And in other places he ofttimes willeth men to pray for faith. calleth faith, "powerful, and that sheweth itself by love." Gal. v. 6. This faith doth pacify the conscience, and doth open to us a free access unto God; that with confidence we may come unto him, and may obtain at his hands whatsoever is profitable and necessary. The same faith doth keep us in our duty which we owe to God and to our neighbour, and doth fortify our patience in adversity: it doth frame and make a true confession, and (in a word) it doth bring forth good fruit of all sorts; and good works (which are good indeed) do proceed from a lively faith, by the Holy Ghost, and are done of the faithful according to the will or rule of God's word. For Peter the Apostle saith, "Therefore, giving all diligence thereunto, join more

And the same also

• Clearly on the supposition, that the Creed which commonly passes under the name of the Apostles, should be received within the Canon of Divine inspiration.-EDITOR.

over virtue with your faith, and with virtue knowledge, and with knowledge temperance," &c. 2 Pet. i. 5, 6.

It was said before, that the law of God, which is the will of God, did prescribe unto us the pattern of good works. And the Apostle saith, "This is the will of God, even your sanctification; that ye abstain from all uncleanness, and that no man oppress or deceive his brother in any matter." 1 Thess. iv. 3; 6. But as for such works and worships of God as are taken up upon our own liking, which St. Paul calleth "will-worship," Col. ii. 23. they are not allowed nor liked of God. Of such the Lord saith in the Gospel, "They worship me in vain, teaching for doctrine the precepts of men." Matt. xv. 9. We, therefore, disallow all such manner of works, and we approve and urge men unto such as are according to the will and commandment of God. Yea, and these same works, that are agreeable to God's will, must be done, not to the end to merit eternal life by them; for "life everlasting," as the Apostle saith, "is the gift of God:" Rom. vi. 23. nor for ostentation's sake, which the Lord doth reject; Matt. vi. 1; 5; 16. nor for lucre, which also he misliketh; Matt. xxiii. 23. but to the glory of God, to commend and set forth our calling, and to yield thankfulness unto God, and also for the profit of our neighbours. For the Lord saith again in the Gospel, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. v. 16. Likewise the Apostle Paul saith, "Walk worthy of your calling." Eph. iv. 1. Also, Whatsoever ye do," saith he, either in word, or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him." Col. iii. 17. "Let no man seek his own, but every man his brother's." Phil. ii. 4. And, "Let ours also learn to shew forth good works for necessary uses, that they be not unprofitable." Tit. iii. 14. Notwithstanding, therefore, that we teach, with the Apostle, that a man is justified by faith in Christ, and not by any good works; Rom. iii. 28. yet we do not lightly esteem or condemn good works: because we know that a man is not created or regenerated through faith, that he should be idle, but rather that without ceasing he should do those things which are good and profitable. For in the Gospel the Lord saith, "A good tree bringeth forth good fruit:" Matt. xii. 33. and again," Whosoever abideth in me, bringeth forth much fruit." John xv. 5. And lastly, the Apostle saith, "We are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God hath prepared, that we should walk in them." Eph. ii. 10. And again, "Who gave himself