A Golden Chain

Bernard hath these words,¹ If thou believest that thy sins can not be blotted out but by him against whom thou hast sinned, thou dost well: but go yet further, and believe that he pardoneth thy sins. This is the testimony which the holy Ghost giveth in our hearts, saying, Thy sins are forgiven thee. For so the Apostle thinketh that a man is justified freely by faith. Papists being much choked with this place, make answer that S. Bernard doth not say that we must believe the pardon of our sins absolutely without respect of works, but that he requires the condition of our conversation and repentance, as signs whereby this persuasion is wrought. I answer again that he avoucheth plainly, the general faith whereby the points of religion are believed, to be but a beginning or rudiment of faith, and therefore not sufficient unless we go further and apply the grace of God to our selves by faith simply without respect of any condition performed on mans part. Indeed I grant that the truth of conversion and other works are by him mentioned afterward, but that was for this end to show how any man may have a sensible and evident experience by works, as fruits of the pardon of his own sins and life everlasting, which he believeth.

Bernard hath these words,¹ If thou beleeuest that thy sinnes can not be blotted out but by him against whome thou hast sinned, thou dost well: but goe yet further, and beleeue that he pardoneth thy sinnes. This is the testimonie which the holy Ghost giueth in our hearts, saying, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee. For so the Apostle thinketh that a man is iustified freely by faith. Papists beeing much choked with this place, make answer that S. Bernard doth not say that we must beleeue the pardon of our sinns absolutely without respect of works, but that he requires the condition of our conuersation and repentance, as signes whereby this perswasion is wrought. I answer againe that he auoucheth plainely, the generall faith whereby the points of religion are beleeued, to be but a beginning or rudiment of faith, and therefore not sufficient vnlesse we goe further and applie the grace of God to our selues by faith simply without respect of any condition performed on mans part. Indeed I graunt that the truth of conuersion and other workes are by him mentioned afterward, but that was for this ende to shew how any man may haue a sensible and euident experience by workes, as fruits of the pardon of his owne sinnes and life euerlasting, which he beleeueth.