faith justify because it disposeth us, but because it is a means or
But did not Paul say the same things as Luther has said? Did he not say,
"To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly,
his faith is counted for righteousness"? (Rom 4:20). Yes; but we may use
some liberties with Paul's words, which we cannot do with Luther's. It
would not do to refute Paul; but it is quite safe to demonstrate that Luther is
wrong, and is at variance with the Church.
Let us then assail Luther; and leave Paul alone. Now Luther has said such
things as the following:-
1. Faith without works is sufficient to salvation, and alone doth justify.
2. Justifying faith is a sure trust, by which one believeth that his sins are
remitted for Christ's sake; and they that are justified are to believe
certainly that their sins are remitted.
3. By faith only we are able to appear before God, who neither
regardeth nor hath need of our works; faith only purifying us.
4. No previous disposition is necessary to justification; neither doth
faith justify because it disposeth us, but because it is a means or
instrument by which the promise and grace of God are laid hold on
and received.
5. All the works of men, even the most sanctified, are sin.
6. Though the just ought to believe that his works are sins, yet he ought
to be assured that they are not imputed.
7. Our righteousness is nothing but the imputation of the righteousness
of Christ; and the just have need of a continual justification and
imputation of the righteousness of Christ.