Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

according as (a) it was mentioned in the first Article.

And finally, if they shall also have firm credence and trust in the promise of God adjoined to the said Sacrament, that is to say, that in and by (y) this said Sacrament, which they shall receive, God the Father giveth unto them for his Son Jesus Christ's sake remission of all their sins, and the grace of the Holy Ghost, whereby they be newly regenerated, and made the very children of God; according to the saying of (z) St. John and the Apostle St. Peter: (a) Delictorum pœnitentiam agite, et baptizetur unusquisque vestrum in nomine Jesu Christi in remissionem peccatorum, et accipietis donum Spiritus Sancti: that is to say, (b) Do penance for your sins, and be each of you baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and you shall obtain remission of your sins, and shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and according (c) also to the

(x) Instit. is mencioned in the Crede, called the Apostels' Crede. Burnet, after the word Article above, reads before, or else not, omitting the word first.

(y) Burnet, the.

(z) Burnet inaccurately reads Christ and his Apostle. The references are to Matth. iii. Luke iii. Acts ii.

(a) Burnet omits Delictorum. The Institution adds before the translation of this passage, where they say.

(b) Instit. Do you penance, &c.

(c) Instit. the saying also.

saying of St. Paul: Non ex operibus justitiæ quæ fecimus nos, sed, secundum suam misericordiam, salvos nos fecit per lavacrum regenerationis, et renovationem Spiritûs Sancti, quem effudit in nos opulentè per Jesum Christum Servatorem nostrum, ut, justificati illius gratiâ, hæredes efficiamur juxta spem vitæ æternæ: that is to say, God hath not saved us for the works of justice which we have done, but of his mercy by Baptism, and renovation of the Holy Ghost, whom he hath poured out upon us most plentifully for the love of Jesus Christ our Saviour; to the intent that we, being justified by his grace, should be made the inheritors of everlasting life according to our hope.

Of Justification.

As touching the order and cause of our Justification, we (d) will that all bishops and preachers shall instruct and teach (e) our people, committed (f) by us (g) to their spiritual charge, that this word Justification signifieth remission of our sins, and our acceptation or reconciliation into the grace

(d) Instit; think it convenient.

(e) Instit. the.

(f) Instit. by us, omitted.

(g) Instit, unto.

and

and favour of God; that is to say, our perfect renovation in Christ.

Item, that sinners attain this Justification by contrition, and faith joined with charity, after such sort and manner as we before mentioned and declared. Not as though our contrition or faith, or any works proceeding thereof, can worthily merit or deserve to attain the said Justification. For the only mercy and grace of the Father, promised freely unto us for his Son's sake Jesu Christ, and the merits of his blood and passion, be the only sufficient and worthy causes thereof. And yet that notwithstanding, to the attaining of the same Justification, God requireth to be in us not only inward contrition, perfect faith and charity, certain hope and confidence, with all other spiritual graces and motions, which, as we said before, must necessarily concur in remission of our sins, that is to say, our Justification; but also he requireth and commandeth us, that, after we be justified, we must also have Good Works of charity and obedience towards God, in the observing and fulfilling outwardly of his laws and commandments. For although acceptation to everlasting life be conjoined with Justification, yet our Good Works be necessarily required to the attaining of everlasting life. And we, being justified, be necessarily bound, and it is our necessary duty to do Good Works, according

according to the saying of St. Paul, (h) Debitores sumus non carni, ut secundum carnem vivamus; nam si secundum carnem vixerimus, moriemur: sin autem Spiritu facta corporis mortificaverimus, vivemus; etenim quicunque Spiritu Dei ducuntur, hi sunt filii Dei: that is to say, (i) We be bound not to live according to the flesh and to fleshly appetites: for, if we live so, we shall undoubtedly be damned: and contrary, if we will mortify the deeds of our flesh, and live according to the Spirit, we shall be saved: for whosoever be led by the Spirit of God, they be the children of God. And Christ saith, (k) Si vis ad vitam ingredi, serva mandata; that is to say, If ye will come to heaven, keep the commandments. And St. Paul, speaking of evil. works, saith, (1) Qui talia agunt, regnum Dei non possidebunt; that is to say, Whosoever commit sinful deeds, shall never come to heaven. Wherefore (m) we will that all bishops and preachers shall instruct and teach our people, committed by us unto their spiritual charge, that God necessarily

(h) Rom. viii,

(i) The Latin and English in the Institution and Burnet, as before. See Note, g, p. 2.

(k) St. Matt. xix.

(1) Galat. v.

(m) Instit. all good christen people must understande and beleve certaynly, that, &c.

requireth

requireth of us to do Good Works commanded by him, and that not only outward and civil works, but also the inward spiritual motions and graces of the Holy Ghost; that is to say, to dread and fear God, to love God, to have firm confidence and trust in God, to invocate and call upon God, to have patience in all adversities, to hate sin, and to have certain purpose and will not to sin again; and such other like motions and virtues. For Christ saith, (n) Nisi abundaverit justitia vestra plusquam Scribarum et Pharisæorum, non intrabitis in regnum cælorum; that is to say, We must not only do outward civil Good Works, but (0) also we must have these foresaid inward spiritual motions, consenting and agreeable to the Law of God.

(n) St. Matth. v.

(o) Instit. we must also have, &c.

« FöregåendeFortsätt »