A Golden Chain

In the second conclusion, touching salvation by Christ alone, there is a manifest deceit: because they craftily include and couch their own works under the name of Christ. For (say they) works done by men regenerate, are not their own, but Christs in them; and as they are the works of Christ; they save, and no otherwise. But we for our parts look to be saved only by such works as Christ himself did in his own person: and not by any work at all done by him in us. For all works done, are in the matter of justification and salvation, opposed to the grace of Christ: Rom. 11.6. Election is of grace not of works: if it be of works, it is no more of grace. Again whereas they teach that we are saved by the works of Christ, which he worketh in us, and maketh us to work; it is flat against the word. For Paul saith, We are not saved by such works as God hath ordained that men regenerate should walk in. Eph. 2.10. And he sayeth further, that he counted all things even after his conversion loss unto him, that he might be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness which is of the law. Phil. 3.8. Again, Heb. 1.3. Christ washed away our sins by himself: which last words exclude the merit of all works done by Christ within man. Thus indeed the Papists overturn all that which in word they seem to hold touching their justification and salvation. We confess with them that good works in us are the works of Christ: yet are they not Christs alone, but ours also, in that they proceed from Christ by the mind and will of man: as water from the fountain by the channel. And look as the channel defiled, defiles the water, that is without defilement in the fountain; even so the mind and will of man defiled by the remnants of sin, defile the works, which as they come from Christ are undefiled. Hence it is that the works of grace which we do by Christ, or, Christ in us, are defective: and must be severed from Christ in the act of justification, or salvation.

In the second conclusion, touching saluation by Christ alone, there is a manifest deceit: because they craftily include and couch their owne works vnder the name of Christ. For (say they) works done by men regenerate, are not their owne, but Christs in them; and as they are the workes of Christ; they saue, and no otherwise. But we for our parts looke to be saued onely by such workes as Christ himselfe did in his owne person: and not by any worke at all done by him in vs. For all workes done, are in the matter of iustification and saluation, opposed to the grace of Christ: