ARTICLE XII. OF GOOD WORKS. k h 99 THE twelfth Article treats of "good works, f which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification." They "cannot put away our sins, i and endure the severity of God's judgment.' But they are "acceptable to God in Christ," and necessarily proceed from a "true and lively Faith," which may be as "evidently known, as a tree by its fruit." " m 1 This Article was not among those published in 1552; but was added in 1562. It was probably intended to obviate any objection that might be made to the expression in the preceding Article, that "we are justified by Faith only." Good f Eph. ii. 10. Tit. iii. 15. James ii. 17. Ignatius Ep. ad Ephes. ad Cor. c. 10. Justin Martyr, Apol. I. c. 22. h Heb. xi. 6. Clemens Rom. Epist. i Luke xvii. 10. Gal, iii. 11. k Ps. cxxxiii. 2. 1 John i. 7. Eccles. vii. 20. 1 Heb. xiii. 16. 21. Mark xi. 41. Rom. viii. 9. Nowel's Cat. p. 46. 101. Ham Jewel's Apol. pt. 2. c. 20. Div. 1. works are ever pleasing in the sight of God, yet are not so meritorious as to put away our sins; but the performance of them are the best proofs of true Faith, and are indispensable for the attainment of future happiness. Before the year 1562, certain sects, called Antinomians or Solifidians had arisen. These Sectarians might have taken advantage of the expressions in the eleventh Article, to assert, that their Creed was not different from that taught by our Church. To prevent the possibility of such misrepresentation, and to check the growth of these erroneous doctrines, this Article might have been composed, and here inserted. The doctrine of the Church is, that, the cause of our Salvation is, the merits and sufferings of Christ, by which he purchased our Redemption. Our love and obedience to him are the condition, upon which we shall be allowed to receive the mercies which he holds out to us. This is the great and vital doctrine of Christianity. ARTICLE XIII. OF WORKS BEFORE JUSTIFICATION. THE beginning of this Article may be proved by various passages in Scripture; 66 a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit." Such works, as are "done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his Spirit," cannot be pleasing to God, because they proceed not from "Faith in Jesus Christ." They do not "make men meet to receive grace, nor deserve P grace of congruity," or from their supposed natural affinity to God. All works, therefore, before faith or justification, a are, in their nature, sinful; necessarily partake of the imperfection and corruption of man. The merit of "congruity" is ascribed, by Divines, to such works as are done by the mere force of Free-Will, and which are to be rewarded only • Rom. iii. 9, 10. 19, 20. 23.-viii. 7, 8. Matt. vii. 18. Heb. xi. 6. Gal. iii. 26. Eph. ii. 10. Ignatius Ep. ad Ephes. Irenæus adv. Hær. 1. 5. c. 10. Homily, Of Good Works. p. 101. Nowel's Cat. Rom. iv. 2. 6.—vií. 18.— viii. 8. P 2 Tim. i. 9. q Tit. i. 15. Tit. iii. 5. Prov. xv. 8. Is. i. 10. 15. out of liberality. The Scriptures, however, teach us to view mankind in their corrupt state, unable to do any thing which shall entitle them to reward. The actions of those, who are not brought to the knowledge of Christ, are, indeed, here pronounced to "have the nature of sin ;" yet it does not follow, that they will be excluded from pardon and salvation. Christ died for the sins of all men. But, we, who are blessed with the use and knowledge of the Scriptures, have an awful task to perform. If much be given to us, much will be required. We are to "abound more and more in every good work," in love and obedience, in faith, charity, and repentance. This Article is the twelfth of those published in 1552. ARTICLE XIV. OF WORKS OF SUPEREROGATION. THE meaning of the fourteenth Article is, that it is impossible for any man, however perfect he may be, however remarkable for his works of r Luke xvii. 10, 11, 12. 14. Matt. v. 48. Cyprian. Testim. 1. 3. c. 4. Ibid. c. 51. Patrick's Answer to the Touchstone, § 18. righteousness, to merit at the hand of God any reward. All that he can do, it is his "bounden duty" to perform; and no man can do more than his duty. This is the fifteenth of the Articles, published in 1552. ARTICLE XV. OF CHRIST ALONE WITHOUT SIN. t S "IN the truth of our nature, Christ was made like unto us in all things, sin only excepted; from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh and in his Spirit." He assumed human nature without sin. "Sin was not in Him." He came, by the sacrifice of himself, to take away the sins of the world. " We, indeed, "offend in many Heb. ii. 14. Nowel's Cat. p. 61. Pearson, on the Creed, Art. 3. Scott's Christian Life, pt. 2. c. 7. § 5. t Matt. i. 20. Luke i. 15. Heb. vii. 26.-iv. 15.-x. 11. John xiv. 30. 1 Pet. ii. 22. Irenæus, 1. 5. c. 14. u Nowel, p. 40. 228. Pudic. c. 19. Jewel, p. 2. c. 19. Div. 1. Tertull. de x James iii. 2. |