To whom the evangelical goods pertain.
To whom the evangelical goods pertain.
§ 44. Therefore, even though the message of the Gospel is universal, only those who believe in Christ actually become sharers of the good things promised and offered in the Gospel; serious contrition is the forerunner of this faith, and its handmaid is good works. Thus they who are influenced by no perception and hatred of sin but go on in sin securely, and yet still have the conviction that the Gospel promises belong to them—they commit a kind of sacrilege. About these someone might, and not without merit, declare that the Gospel is preached as a witness against them. This is a very shameful abuse of the Gospel in these last times of the world. Alas! This attitude has become so strong that almost all hope for a remedy has been removed, even though Scripture declares so many times that the Gospel message pertains only to those who experience true repentance, who grieve steadfastly over their sins, and who seek anxiously to be freed from them. “Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Matt. 9:12[–13]; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31[–32]). “The poor have the Gospel preached to them” (Matt. 11:5). “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Thus John the Baptist, Christ, and the apostles always gave the message of repentance before they preached the Gospel. Christ does not enter into people’s hearts through the grace of the Gospel unless John first prepares the way for Him through repentance. God does not pour out the oil of His mercy except into a contrite vessel.