The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

So died that great Emperor Charles the fifth, as Thuanus gives the account of his Novissima. So he reasoned with himself; See quidem indignum esse qui propriis meritis regnum caelorum obtineret; Sed Dominum Deum suum qui illud duplici jure obtineat, &: Patris haereditate, &: Passionis merito, altero contentum esse, alterum sibi donare; ex cujus dono illud sibi merito vendicet, hacque fiducia fretus minime confundatur; neque enim oleum misericordiae nisi in vase fiduciae pony; hanc hominis fiduciam esse a se deficientis & innitentis domino suo, alioquin propriis meritis fidere, non fidei esse sed perfidiae; peccata deleri per Dei indulgentiam, ideoque credere nos debere peccata deleri non posse nisi ab eo evi solely peccavimus, & in quem peccatum non cadit, per quem solum nobis peecata condonentur; That in himself he was altogether unworthy to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven by his own Works or Merits, but that his Lord God who enjoyed it on a double Right or Title, by inheritance of the Father, and the merit of his own passion, was contented with the one himself, and freely granted unto him the other; on whose free grant he laid claim thereunto, and in confidence thereof he should not be confounded; for the Oil of mercy is poured only into the Vessel of Faith or Trust; that this is the Trust of a man despairing in himself, and resting in his Lord; otherwise to trust unto his own Works or Merits, is not Faith but Treachery; ⟨p. 38⟩that sins are blotted out by the mercy of God; and therefore we ought to believe that our sins can be pardoned by him alone against whom alone we have sinned; with whom there is no sin, and by whom alone sins are forgiven.

So died that great Emperour Charles the fifth, as Thuanus gives the account of his Novissima. So he reasoned with himself; Se quidem indignum esse qui propriis meritis regnum caelorum obtineret; Sed Dominum Deum suum qui illud duplici jure obtineat, &: Patris haereditate, &: Passionis merito, altero contentum esse, alterum sibi donare; ex cujus dono illud sibi merito vendicet, hacque fiducia fretus minime confundatur; neque enim oleum misericordiae nisi in vase fiduciae poni; hanc hominis fiduciam esse a se deficientis & innitentis domino suo, alioquin propriis meritis fidere, non fidei esse sed perfidiae; peccata deleri per Dei indulgentiam, ideoque credere nos debere peccata deleri non posse nisi ab eo eui soli peccavimus, & in quem peccatum non cadit, per quem solum nobis peecata condonentur; That in himself he was altogether unworthy to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven by his own Works or Merits, but that his Lord God who enjoyed it on a double Right or Title, by inheritance of the Father, and the merit of his own passion, was contented with the one himself, and freely granted unto him the other; on whose free grant he laid claim thereunto, and in confidence thereof he should not be confounded; for the Oyl of mercy is poured only into the Vessel of Faith or Trust; that this is the Trust of a man despairing in himself, and resting in his Lord; otherwise to trust unto his own Works or Merits, is not Faith but Treachery;