7. Neither doth faith shut out good works, necessary to be done afterwards, of duty towards God: (for we are most bounden to serve God, in doing good works, commanded in scripture, all the days of our life). But we may not do them with this intent, to be justified by doing them. For all the good works we can do, are not able to deserve our justification: but our justification cometh freely of the mere mercy of God: and of so great and free mercy, that whereas all the world was not able to pay any part towards their ransom, it pleased him, without any of our deserving, to prepare for us the most precious jewels of Christ’s body and blood, whereby our ransom might be paid, the law fulfilled, and his justice satisfied. So that Christ is now the righteousness of all them that truly believe in him. 8. Ye have heard, that no man can be justified by his own works, inasmuch as no man fulfilleth the law: and St. _Paul_ in his epistle to the _Galatians_, proveth the same, saying, _If there had been a law given which could have justified, verily righteousness should have been by the law_. And again, _If righteousness come by the law, then is Christ dead in vain_. And to the _Ephesians_ he saith, (chapter ii.) _By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast_. And to be short, the sum of all _Paul_’s disputation is this, _If righteousness come of works, then it cometh not of grace: and if it come of grace, then it cometh not of works_. And to this end tend all the prophets, as St. _Peter_ saith, (_Acts x. 43._) _To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins_. 9. And that we are justified only by this true and lively faith in Christ, speak all the ancient authors; especially _Origen_, St. _Cyprian_, St. _Chrysostom_, _Hilary_, _Basil_, St. _Ambrose_, and St. _Augustin_: by which they take away clearly all merit of our works, and wholly ascribe our justification unto Christ only. _This faith the holy scripture teacheth us, is the strong rock and foundation of the Christian religion. This doctrine all ancient authors of Christ’s church do approve. This doctrine setteth forth the true glory of Christ, and beateth down the vain glory of man. This whosoever denieth, is not to be accounted for a Christian man, nor for a setter forth of Christ’s glory; but for an adversary to Christ and his gospel, and for a setter forth of man’s vain-glory._