Anglican Communion -- Apologetic works; Church of England -- Apologetic works
We say also, that every person is born in sin, and leadeth his life in
sin: that nobody is able truly to say his heart is clean: that the most
righteous person is but an unprofitable servant: that the law of God is
perfect, and requireth of us perfect and full obedience: that we are able
by no means to fulfil that law in this worldly life: that there is no one
mortal creature which can be justified by his own deserts in God's sight:
and therefore that our only succour and refuge is to fly to the mercy of
our Father by Jesu Christ, and assuredly to persuade our minds that He is
the obtainer of forgiveness for our sins; and that by His blood all our
spots of sin be washed clean: that He hath pacified and set at one, all
things by the blood of His Cross: that He by the same one only Sacrifice,
which He once offered upon the Cross, hath brought to effect and
fulfilled all things, and that for that cause He said, when He gave up
the ghost, "It is finished," as though He would signify, that the price
and ransom was now full paid for the sin of all mankind. If there be
any, then, that think this Sacrifice not sufficient, let them go, in
God's Name, and seek another that is better. We, verily, because we know
this to be the only Sacrifice, are well content with it alone and look
for none other: and, forasmuch as it was to be offered but once, we
command it not to be renewed again: and because it was full and perfect
in all points and parts, we do not ordain in place thereof any continual
succession of offerings.
Besides, though we say, we have no meed at all by our own works and
deeds, but appoint all the means of our salvation to be in Christ alone,
yet say we not, that for this cause men ought to live loosely and
dissolutely: nor that it is enough for a Christian to be baptised only
and to believe: as though there were nothing else required at his hand.
For true faith is lively, and can in no wise be idle.
Thus therefore teach we the people, that God hath called us, not to
follow riot and wantonness, but, as St. Paul saith, "unto good works, to
walk in them:" that God hath plucked us out "from the power of darkness,
to the end that we should serve the living God;" to cut away all the
remnants of sin, and "to work our salvation in fear and trembling:" that
it may appear, how that the Spirit of sanctification is in our bodies,
and that Christ Himself doth dwell in our hearts.
To conclude, we believe, that this our self-same flesh wherein we live,
although it die, and come to dust, yet at the last day it shall return
again to life, by the means of Christ's Spirit which dwelleth in us: and
that then verily, whatsoever we suffer here in the meanwhile for His
sake, Christ will wipe away all tears and lamentation from our eyes: and
that we through Him shall enjoy everlasting life, and shall for ever be
with Him in glory. So be it.
PART III.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account