Therefore these things should be put each of them in their own places, and comprehended within their own bounds. That it may be understood aright, what Faith does, and what Repentance, and what efficacy is in both, and how they are distinguished from one another, and also how they being joined together do contribute mutual assistance to one another in the Justification of the Ungodly. For though we deny 1not that both are very pleasing to God, yet the one is acceptable to him one way, and the other another way. For faith is acceptable through Christ, but Repentance only upon the account of Faith. And it is also a certain truth, that, though by faith only, as the procuring cause, we obtain Justification in the sight of God: Yet this very faith doth not put forth its power of Justifying upon any, but penitent and broken-hearted Sinners, and therefore ⟨p. 426⟩in the Gospel we are so often invited to Repentance. Not that it is not true faith only, which justifies without Repentance; but because faith, if it be true, justifies no others, but them that have turned from their Sins in sincerity, and are converted unto God by Repentance. For such as have no trouble of Conscience, nor sorrow for Sin, but run on obstinately against their Conscience, and continue in their Evil courses, it is a vain thing for them to hope for Justification by Faith, whereof they falsely boast, for all such stouthearted Sinners are far from Righteousness. None need the Physician, but they that are Sick, neither doth Christ invite any to come unto him, but such as are heavy laden: Come unto me, saith he, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. But what is coming to Christ, but believing in him according to the saying of Augustin?
Therefore these things should be put each of them in their own places, and comprehended within their own bounds. That it may be understood aright, what Faith does, and what Repentance, and what efficacy is in both, and how they are distinguished from one another, and also how they being joyned together do contribute mutual assistance to one another in the Iustification of the Ungodly. For though we deny 1not that both are very pleasing to God, yet the one is acceptable to him one way, and the other another way. For faith is acceptable through Christ, but Repentance only upon the account of Faith. And it is also a certain truth, that, though by faith only, as the procuring cause, we obtain Iustification in the sight of God: Yet this very faith doth not put forth its power of Iustifying upon any, but penitent and broken-hearted Sinners, and therefore ⟨p. 426⟩in the Gospel we are so often invited to Repentance. Not that it is not true faith only, which justifies without Repentance; but because faith, if it be true, justifies no others, but them that have turned from their Sins in sincerity, and are converted unto God by Repentance. For such as have no trouble of Conscience, nor sorrow for Sin, but run on obstinately against their Conscience, and continue in their Evil courses, it is a vain thing for them to hope for Iustification by Faith, whereof they falsely boast, for all such stouthearted Sinners are far from Righteousness. None need the Physician, but they that are Sick, neither doth Christ invite any to come unto him, but such as are heavy laden: Come unto me, saith he, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. But what is coming to Christ, but believing in him according to the saying of Augustin?
- 1What Faith does, and what Repentance.
