Institutes of the Christian Religion by Jean Calvin & John Calvin & Ford Lewis Battles

Author:Jean Calvin & John Calvin & Ford Lewis Battles
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Doctrinal, Philosophy, Theology, Religion, Reformed Church, General, Christian Theology
ISBN: 9781598561685
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Published: 1845-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Book 3, Chapter 15: The boasted merit of works subversive both of the glory of God, in bestowing righteousness, and of the certainty of salvation.

The divisions of this chapter are:

I. To the doctrine of free justification is opposed the question, Whether or not works merit favor with God, Section 1. This question answered, Section 2 and 3.

II. An exposition of certain passages of Scripture produced in support of the erroneous doctrine of merit, Section 4 and 5.

III. Sophisms of Semipelagian Schoolmen refuted, Section 6 and 7.

IV. Conclusion, proving the sufficiency of the orthodox doctrine, Section 8.

Section 1. After a brief recapitulation, the question, Whether or not good works merit favor with God, considered.

Section 2. First answer, fixing the meaning of the term Merit. This term improperly applied to works, but used in a good sense, as by Augustine, Chrysostom, Bernard.

Section 3. A second answer to the question. First by a negative, then by a concession. In the rewarding of works what to be attributed to God, and what to man. Why good works please God, and are advantageous to those who do them. The ingratitude of seeking righteousness by works. This shown by a double similitude.

Section 4. First objection taken from Ecclesiasticus. Second objection from the Epistle to the Hebrews. Two answers to both objections. A weak distinction refuted.

Section 5. A third and most complete answer, calling us back to Christ as the only foundation of salvation. How Christ is our righteousness. Whence it is manifest that we have all things in Christ and he nothing in us.

Section 6. We must abhor the sophistry which destroys the merit of Christ, in order to establish that of man. This impiety refuted by clear passages of Scripture.

Section 7. Errors, of the younger Sophists extracted from Lombard. Refuted by Augustine. Also by Scripture.

Section 8. Conclusion, showing that the foundation which has been laid is sufficient for doctrine, exhortation, and comfort. Summery of the orthodox doctrine of Justification.

Section 1. After a brief recapitulation, the question, Whether or not good works merit favor with God, considered.

The principal point in this subject has been now explained: as justifications if dependent upon works, cannot possibly stand in the sight of God, it must depend solely on the mercy of God and communion with Christ, and therefore on faith alone. But let us carefully attend to the point on which the whole subject hinges, lest we get entangled in the common delusion, not only of the vulgar, but of the learned. For the moment the question is raised as to the justification by faith or works, they run off to those passages which seem to ascribe some merit to works in the sight of God, just as if justification by works were proved whenever it is proved that works have any value with God. Above we have clearly shown that justification by works consists only in a perfect and absolute fulfillment of the law, and that, therefore, no man is justified by works unless he has reached the summit of perfection, and cannot be convicted of even the smallest transgression.

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