A09453:186
A Reformed Catholic
A reformed Catholic: or, A declaration showing how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundry points of religion: and wherein we must for ever depart from them with an advertisement to all favourers of the Roman religion, showing that the said religion is against the Catholic principles and grounds of the catechism.A reformed Catholike: or, A declaration shewing how neere we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundrie points of religion: and vvherein we must for euer depart from them with an advertisment to all fauourers of the Romane religion, shewing that the said religion is against the Catholike principles and grounds of the catechisme.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1598Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1598
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Reason III. Scripture directly condemneth merit of works. Rom. 6. 23. The wages of sin is death: but THE GIFT OF GOD IS eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ⟨p. 108⟩The proportion of the argument required that S. Paul should have said: The reward of good works is eternal life, if life everlasting could be deserved, which cannot: because it is a free gift. Again, Tit. 3. 5. We are saved not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. And Ephes. 2. v. 8, 10. By grace you are saved through faith, and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God: not of works which God hath prepared that we should walk in them. If any works be crowned, it is certain that the sufferings of Martyrs shall be rewarded: now of them Paul saith, Rom. 8. 18. The sufferings of this life are NOT WORTHY of the glory to come. Where then is the value & dignity of other works? To this purpose `Ambr. saith, The just man though he be tormented in the brazen bull is still just, because he justifieth God, and saith he suffereth LESS THEN HIS SINS DESERVE.
Reason III. Scripture directly condemneth merite of workes. Rom. 6. 23. The vvages of sinne is death: but THE GIFT OF GOD IS eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord. ⟨p. 108⟩The proportion of the argument required that S. Paul should haue said: The reward of good workes is eternall life, if life euerlasting could be deserued, which cannot: because it is a free gift. Againe, Tit. 3. 5. We are saued not by vvorkes of righteousnes which vve haue done, but according to his mercie he saued vs. And Ephes. 2. v. 8, 10. By grace you are saued through faith, and that not of your selues, it is the gift of God: not of works which God hath prepared that we should walke in them. If any workes be crowned, it is certen that the sufferings of Martyrs shall be rewarded: now of them Paul saith,