A treatise of iustification· By George Dovvname, Doctor of Divinity and Bishop of Dery

CHAP. IX. Testimonies of the Ancient Fathers, and of others in all ages, for justification by faith alone.

§. I.

NOw that this Doctrine is no novelty, but that which in all ages hath been the received Doctrine of the Christian Churches, I will prove by the Testimony of the Christian Writers in all ages, but chiefly of the ancient Fathers.

I. Iustin Martyr, a 1.1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. To see* 1.2 God, it is granted men, by faith alone. And by what alone wee see God, by that alone wee are justified. Againe, b 1.3 what other thing could cover our sinnes, but his righteousnesse? In whom could we being sinners and impious bee justified, but in the onely Sonne of God. By the righteousnesse therefore of Christ onely, which is received and put on by faith onely, are our sinnes covered. In Christ alone those, that are sinners in themselves, are justified; therefore not by righteousnesse inherent, but onely by the righteousnesse of faith.

II. Irenaeus, whom I finde cited and approved by Augustine, c 1.4 Men* 1.5 can no otherwise be saved from the stroke of the old serpent, but by beleeving in Christ: Even as the Israelites, who were bitten by the fiery serpents, could no otherwise be healed, but by looking on the brasen serpent.* 1.6

III. Clemens Alex. d 1.7 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Faith alone is the Catholike salvation of mankinde. Againe, e 1.8 the power of God alone without demonstrations is able to save 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by faith alone.* 1.9

IV. Origen more plainely: f 1.10 The Apostle saith that the justification which is by faith alone, is sufficient: so that a man beleeving only, is ju∣stified, and instanceth in the examples of the penitent theefe, Luk. 23. and of the penitent woman, Luk. 7. both which were justified by faith alone. And in that place, as hath beene observed by others, Origen useth the exclusive particle sola seven times. Bellarmine answereth, g 1.11 that Origen only excludeth externall workes, when power and occasion is wanting, as in the theefe upon the crosse. Repl. But it evident, that as S. Paul, so al∣so

Origen speaketh of workes in generall, and that in the penitent theese, and in that penitent woman good workes were not wanting. For the thee•…•…e h 1.12 repro•…•…eth his fellow, confesseth his sinne, acknow∣ledgeth Christs innocencie, professeth Christ in his most despicable e•…•…ate, when his owne Disciples •…•…ed, prayeth unto Christ to remember him, when he should come to his Kingdome. The woman i 1.13 brought an Alabaster box of ointment, stood behinde Christ weeping, washed his fee•…•… with her teares, wiped them with the haires of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment; by which actions shee t•…•…tified her faith in Christ, her repentance for her •…•…innes, her love to her Saviour, acknowledged by Christ himselfe to have beene great. Yet not by these good workes, but onely by their faith, were those two per∣sons justified. And no marvell. For even Abraham himselfe, though he abounded with good workes, yet he was not justified by them, but by faith onely. Yea, but saith Bellarmine, Origen doth not exclude love and repen•…•…nce. Repl. No m•…•…re doe we from the subject, that is, the partie justified, but from the act of justification. For, although they doe not concurre with faith to the act of justification, as any cause thereof: yet they must eoncurre in the subject, that is, the partie justified, as necessary fruits of faith, and unseparable companions of justification.* 1.14

V. Cyprian: k 1.15 Fidem tantùm prodesse, or, as Pamelius will have it, i•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, faith onely or wh•…•…lly profitet•…•….

VI. Eusebius Casariensis. l 1.16 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, wherefore that faith doth suffice us to salvation which maketh us to know God the Father Almighty, and to subscribe or assent that his onely begotten Sonne is the Saviour.

VII. Hilari•…•…: it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 m 1.17 the Scribes, that sinne should be for∣given by a man (for they saw no more in Christ but a man) and that to* 1.18 bee remitted by him, which the law could not release: for faith onely justifieth. And againe, n 1.19 Q•…•…ia 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sola justificat: and yet againe, o 1.20 Hac sola fides confess•…•… Christum Dei filium omnium beatitudin•…•…m gl•…•…riam mer•…•…it in Petr•…•…. This faith alone confessed, that Christ is the Sonne of God, obtained in Peter the glory of all blessednesse. To the first B•…•…llarmine answereth, that the particle (alone) excludeth onely the law, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath no place in the other two. But if the law be excluded, which i•…•… the rule of all inherent righteousnesse, it proveth justification only by faith. For if men be justified either by the legall righteousnesse, or by th•…•… Evangelicall, and a third cannot be named; then it followeth, that if men have not, nor can have remission of sinnes and justification by the law, that is by inherent righteousnesse, which is prescribed in the law; th•…•…n they must have it according to the Gospell, that is by the righte∣ousnesse of Christ received by faith onely: but the former is true, Act. 13. 38, 39. therefore the latter.* 1.21

VIII. S. •…•…asill: This is perfect p 1.22 and entire glorying in God, when a m•…•…n being not lifted up for his own•…•… righteousnesse, knoweth indeed himselfe to want true justice, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but to bee justified by faith alon•…•… in Christ. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 answereth, that Basil ex∣cludeth

onely workes done without faith, or the grace▪ of God. Reply. But Basill mentioneth not workes going before Grace, but speaketh of a man already justified, who then doth intirely glory in God, when be∣ing not lifted up with a conceit of that righteousnesse which is in him∣selfe, but being conscious to himselfe of his defectivenesse in respect of inherent righteousnesse, acknowledgeth himselfe to be justified onely by faith in Christ.

IX. Gregory Nazianzene speaking q 1.23 of those words, Rom. 10. 9. 10.* 1.24 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for it is righteousnesse to beleeve onely.

X. Saint Ambrose, or whosoever else (as ancient as he) was the Au∣thour of the Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul, whom the Papists use to cite under the name of Saint Ambrose, and of Bishop Ambr•…•…se when they meet with any thing that seemeth to make for them. Six•…•…us Senensis, r 1.25 doth not only acknowledge them to be Ambrose his Commen∣taries, but also commendeth them, as being breves quidem in verbis, sed sententiarum pondere graves. He in very many places ascribeth justifica∣tion to faith alone. •…•…ellarmine saith, he excludeth the workes of the cerem•…•…∣niall Law, or the necessity of externall workes: which may serve perhaps for a poore shift, to avoid some few places, but not the most.

• As first, in Rom. 3. 24. They are justified saith he, gratis, that is, freely, because nihil operantes, neque vicem redentes sola fide justificati sunt don•…•… Dei, that is, without workes either going before or following after, they are, through the gift of God, justified by faith only.
• Secondly, In Rom. 4. how can the Iewes, who looke to be justified by the workes of the Law, thinke, that they are justified with the justifica∣tion of Abraham, cum videant Abraham non ex operibus legis, sed sola fide justificatum, when they see Abraham to have beene justified, not by the workes of the Law, but onely by faith.

  Non erg•…•… •…•…pus est lege, quando impius per solam fidem justificatur apud Deum. There is no need therefore of the Law; seeing a sinner is justifi∣ed before God by faith alone.

• Thirdly, and on those words of th•…•… fifth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 according to the La∣tine, secundum propositum 〈◊〉〈◊〉] sic dec•…•…etum dicit à Deo ut cessante lege solam fidem 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dei p•…•…sceret ad sal•…•…tem.
• Fourthly, He pronounceth them blessed whom God hath ordained that without any labour or observation sol•…•… fide justificantur apud De•…•…; they should be justified before God by faith alone.
• Fifthly, There being nothing required of them, but onely that th•…•…y beleeve.
• Sixthly, In Rom. 9. Sola fides posita est ad salutem.
• Seventhly, in Rom. 10. Nullum opus dicit legis, sed solam fidem 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in causa Chr•…•…sti.
• Eighthly, In 1 Cor. 1, this is ordained of God that whosoever belee∣veth in Christ, be safe or saved sine oper•…•… sol•…•… fide gratis recipiens remissio∣nem peccatorum, without worke receiving freely remission of sins by faith alone.
• Ninthly, In 2 Cor. 3. hac lex (scil. spiritus) d•…•…t libertatem, solam fidem

• ... poscens, the Law of the Spirit (which is the covenant of grace) giveth •…•…li∣berty, requiring faith onely.
• Tenthly. In Gal. 3. 18. he noteth the improvident presumption of the Iewes, who thought that men cannot be justified without the workes of the Law cum sciant Abraham qui forma ejus rei est, sine operibus legis per so∣lam fidem, justificatum, when themselves know that Abraham who is the patterne or samplar of that matter, to have been justified by faith alone without the workes of the Law.
• Eleventhly, In Gal. 3. 22. that hee comming who was promised to Abraham fidem solam ab ijs posceret should require of them faith onely.
• Twelfthly, In his fortie five sermon, which by some is attributed to Maximus who lived after him forty yeares; to the penetent thiefe it sufficeth ad innocentiam, Domino credidisse to make him innocent, that he beleeved in the Lord.* 1.26
• Thirteenthly, Another testimony of Ambrose recorded by Gratian: that the grace of God in baptisme requireth neither mourning nor any worke, sed solam fidem & omnia gratis condonat, but faith alone and for∣giveth all freely.

XI. Hierome, or what other Writer no lesse ancient, was the Authour* 1.27 of the commentaries on Paul's Epistles, in very many places teacheth ju∣stification by faith alone. Bellarmin•…•… s 1.28 saith, that Pelagius was the Authour of those Commentaries. But this appeareth to be false by those places which S. Augustine citeth out of the commentaries of Pelagius in his three first chapters of his third booke, De peccatorum meritis & remissione. I deny not, but that divers sentences are found in those Commentaries rankely savouring of the Pelegian heresie, as well as in the writings of other an∣cient Fathers, either because before the Pelagian her•…•…sie was spred, they wrote more caresly of those points; or rather because the Pelagian he∣reticks did corrupt their writings: which Possevin himselfe suspecteth might have happened to this author. These Commentaries doe seeme to have been in great account in the Church, above 1100 yeares agoe, in that Sed•…•…lius in his Collectanea, and sometimes by name t 1.29 as 1 Cor. 7. 37. And Primasius in his Commentaries on the Epistles were not ashamed to borrow store of annotations out of these Commentaries, as in other points, so in this, which I have in hand; as may appeare by collation of those, which I shall cite out of them. The Author of the ordinary glosse, who lived eight hundred yeers ago, every where citeth them under the name of Hierome. For my part I suspect, that B•…•…llarmine and other Papists doe not so much distaste this Writer for comming too neere the Pelagians, as for his too much departing from them∣selves; I meane especially in this question of justification freely by the grace of God through faith alone in Christ, to which purpose there are more frequent and more pregnant testimonies in these Commentaries than in any other work of the like quantity of any ancient writer what∣soever: and although these Commentaries have beene interpolated by the Pelagian hereticks, yet those testimonies which I shall alleage for

Iustification by faith alone, the Papists themselves will free from suspi∣cion of Pelagianisme. Thus therefore he writeth.

• First, in Ro. 1. 16. on those words, Iudaeo &c.] sive quod justum fuerit, ut quomodo Abraham credens ex Gentib. per solam primum fidem salvatus est, ita caeteri credentes salvarentur. Sedulius hath the same, but leaveth out the word, primum.
• Secondly, In Rom. 4. 3: Tam magna fuit fides Abrahae ut & pristina•…•…i peccata donarentur, & sola pro omni justitia doceretur accepta.
• Thirdly, in Rom. 4. 5. Convertentem impium per solam fidem justificat D•…•…us. And upon those words, which are there sound in the Latine edi∣tion, secundum propositum gratiae Dei.
• Fourthly, Qui proposuit gratis per solam fidem peccata dimittere.
• Fifthly, In Rom. 4. 11. Vt omnes qui ex Gentibus credunt filii sint Abra∣hae, dum & illis sola fides ad justitiam reputatur.
• Sixthly, In Rom. 5. 1. Ostendit quod fides faciat filios Abrahae, qui ex so∣la prima fide justificatus est.
• Seventhly, In Rom. 8. 28. secundum propositum] secundum quod proposuit sola fide salvare quos praesciverat credituros.
• Eighthly, In Rom. 10. 3. Ignorantes quòd Deus ex sola fide justificat, & justos se ex legis operibus quam non custodiunt esse putantes, noluerunt se re∣missioni subjicere peccatorum, ne peccatores fuisse viderentur. Et in Ro∣man. 10. 5.
• Ninthly, Moses distinxit in Levitico inter utramque justitiam fidei scil∣licet atque factorum, quòd altera operibus; altera, sola fidei credulitate acce∣dente fiat.
• Tenthly, In Rom. 10. 10. Ergo si fides sufficit ad justitiam & confessio ad salutem, inter Iudaeum & Gentilem credentes nulla discretio est.
• 11. In 2 Cor. 5. 19. Non reputans illis delicta ipsorum, hoc est per solam fidem cognoscens, read ignoscens, or as Primasius, indulgens.
• 12. In Gal. 1. 12. Neque a me confinxi, neque ab ullo homine accepi, quòd Gentes sola fide salvarentur.
• 13. In Gal. 2. 14. Non ex operibus legis, sed sola fide sicut Gentes vitam in Christo invenisse te nosti.
• 14. In Gal. 2. 17. Si enim Gentes fides sola non salvat, nec nos: quia ex operibus n•…•…mo justificatur.
• 15. In Gal. 2. 20. In fide viva filii Dei] in sola fide, quia nihil debe•…•… legi antiquae.
• 16. In Gal. 3. 6. Abraham credidit Deo, & reputatum est illi adjusti∣tiam] ita & vobis ad justitiam sola sufficit Fides: unto justice Faith on∣ly sufficeth.
• 17. In Gal. 3. 11. In lege•…•… nemo justificatur] quia nemo illam serval (Let the Papists note that point of Pelagianisme) ideo dictum est, quòd sola fide justificandi essent.
• 18. In Gal. 3. 14. Vt sola fide Gentes benedicerentur in Christo, sicut pr•…•…∣missum fuerat Abrahae.
• 19. In Gal. 3. 26. Aequaliter & Iudaei & Gentes per solam fidem filii Dei estis, quia credidistis Christ•…•….
• ...

• 20. In Eph. 2. 8. Gratia estis salvati per fidem] non meritis prioris vitae, sed sola fide.
• 21. In Eph. 2. 15. Per solam fidem justificans.
• 22. In Phil. 3. 9. Non habens meam justitiam] hoc est, meo labore quae si∣tam, sed illam quae ex fide, &c.] sed illam quae à Deo propriè & sola fide collata est Christianis.

XII. Chrysostome, In Rom. 1. 17. thou obtainest righteousnesse, not* 1.30 by sweat and labour, but receivest it by gift from above u 1.31 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, bringing one thing onely from within, viz. to beleeve, nothing therefore in us doth concurre to the act of justification, but onely faith.

• Secondly, In Rom. 3. 27. * 1.32 What is the Law of faith? to save by grace: here he sheweth the power of God, that he hath not onely saved, but also justified, and brought into glorying, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and that, not requiring workes, but seeking faith onely.
• Thirdly, In Rom. 4. 1. x 1.33 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: it is not possible to be saved otherwise than by faith.
• Fourthly, In Rom. 8. 24. y 1.34 This one gift have wee brought to God, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to beleeve him promising things to come: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and by this onely way we are saved.
• Fifthly, In Gal. 3. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 faith sufficed Abraham to righteousnesse.
• Sixthly, In Gal. 3. 8. They (the justitiaries) said, he that adhereth to faith alone is accursed, but Paul sheweth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that he which adhereth to faith alone is blessed.
• Seventhly, In Ephes. 2. 15. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by faith alone hee saved.
• Eightly, In Col. 1. 27. z 1.35 For at once to bring men more senselesse than stones to the dignity of Angels simply by bare words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and by faith alone, without a 1.36 all difficulty, it is indeed the glory and ri∣ches of the mystery.
• Ninthly, In Tit. 1. 13. b 1.37 For if thou doest give credit to thy faith, why doest thou bring in other things 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as if faith were not sufficient to justifie? Bellarmine by other things understandeth the ce∣remonies of the Law. When Chrysostome indeed rejecteth al other things, because faith it selfe is sufficient to justifie.
• Tenthly, There is a notable testimony cited by Bishop c 1.38 Iustinian out of Chrysostome in Psal. 14. which doth not only conclude this questi∣on against the Papists: but also putteth a manifest difference betwixt sanctification, which consisteth of many virtues, and justification, unto which faith onely is required. Iustitia conflatur ex multis virtutibus & •…•…na virtus activa non facit justitia•…•… quemadmodum nec una tabula perficit navigium, nec unus lapis domum. Vna sola virtus justificat fides, quae est virtutum fastigium, Righteousnesse is compounded of many virtues, and one active virtue maketh not righteousnesse. Even as one planke doth not make a ship nor one stone an house, onely virtue justifieth namely faith which is the top of all virtues.
• ...

• 11. Serm. de fide & lege naturae. d 1.39 Without faith no man hath a•…•…tained to life, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but the thiefe on the Crosse beleeving onely, was justified and afterwards twice he affirmeth that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: faith by it selfe saved. Bellarmine answereth that Chrysostome tea∣cheth, that sometimes faith alone, that is without externall workes doth suffice: which cannot be applyed to the penitent thiefe, who, as I shewed before, wanted not for the time externall workes; and yet not by them, but by faith alone he was justified.

XIII. Hesychius in Leviticum: c 1.40 Grace is given out of mercie and* 1.41 compassion and is apprehended by faith alone & fide comprehenditur sol•…•…, not out of works, as the Apostle saith, for then grace shall not be grace.

XIV. Augustine. f 1.42 Nam sine bonorum operum meritis per sidem justi∣ficatur* 1.43 impius & quidem solam. For without the merits of good workes a sinner is justified, and that by faith alone.

• 2. Apud Gratianum: g 1.44 this is the faith which worketh by love, huic dun∣taxat remissio delictorum promittitur to this onely remission of sins is pro∣mised—cui soli venia promitoitu:, to which alone par•…•…on is promised,—quâ solâ peccata relaxantur by which alone sinnes are released.
• 3 In Psal. 88. conc. 2. sola fides Christi mundat. The faith of Christ doth cleanse alone.
• 4. Serm de tempore 68, h 1.45 Abraham beleeved God, and it was accoun∣ted to him for righteousnesse. Ecce sine opere justificatur exfide, & quic∣quid illi legali posset observatione conferri, totum credulitas sola d•…•…navit. Be∣hold, without workes he is justified by faith, and whatsoever might bee conferred upon him by the observation of the Law, all that faith alone bestowed.
• 5. In Ioan. 8. i 1.46 On those words, you heare not, because you are not of God: this was spoken to them who where not onely vicious by sinne, but also foreknowne, that they were not to beleeve ea fide, qua solâ possent à peccatorum obligatione liberari, with that faith by which alone they might be delivered from the bond of their sinnes.
• 6. Out of his sermons De verbis Domini, this testimony is usually cited. Medicina animae omnium vulnerum, & una propitiatio pro delict•…•…s credere in Christum. The medicine for all wounds of the soule and the onely propitiation for all sinnes, is to beleeve in Christ.
• 7. Ad duas Epistolas Pelag. k 1.47 quantaelibet fuisse virtutis •…•…ntiquos praedices justos, non eos salvos fecit nisi fides mediatoris. qui in remissionem peccatorum sanguine fudit, Bellarmi•…•…e answereth, that in this place are excluded onely Nature and the Law of Moses. Reply, But the place is plaine, that though the virtue of the ancient Fathers were never so great, yet neither it, nor any thing else could save them, but onely faith in Christ.
• 8. Lib. 83. quaest. l 1.48 If any when hee hath beleeved, shall presently depart out of this life, the justification of faith abideth with him, neither for his precedent good workes, because not by merit but by grace hee came unto it; nor for the subsequent, because he is not suffered to re∣maine in this life. And therefore, say we, by faith alone. To this B•…•…llrr∣mine answereth, that Augustine speaketh of a lively faith (as though wee

• spake of any other) for Augustine there saith, that a man is justified with∣out workes, going before faith, but that justifying faith is such a faith as wor∣keth by love. Bellarmine then confesseth that a lively faith, which wor∣keth by love, doth justifie alone. As for that which is not lively, nor ac∣companied with charity; we teach, that it justifieth neither alone, nor at all. Thus hath hee indevoured in vaine to answere some allegations out of six of the Fathers. The rest, either of the same Authors, or of others, either before named, or now to bee cited, remaine unanswered, saving foure others, which because he would have men thinke we want Testimonies of Antiquity, hee hath afforded us out of his owne store. Which wee will examine in their due place. And in stead of the first which hee cit•…•…th out of XV Cyrill of Alexandria, m 1.49 being to no purpose,* 1.50 and yet falsified by him (for Cyrill doth not say, hominem per solam fidem inhaerere Christo, as Bellarmine citeth him) and being also false, in that sense, for which indeed our prevaricator doth alleadge him, that a man may abide in Christ by faith, and yet want love and perish: But in stead of this I will requite him with another of the same Authour, in the same Commentaries upon Iohn, on those words, Ioh. 14. 1. n 1.51 Ye beleeve in God, beleeve also in me, per fidem namque, saith he, non aliter serva∣mur, by faith we are saved, and not otherwise, that is, by faith alone.

XVI. To Cyrill we adjoyne o 1.52 Sedulius, as being of the same time, as Bellarmine, following Trithemius, supposeth hee wrote saith Bellarmine an explanation upon all the Epistles of Saint Paul, taken out of Ori∣gen, Ambrose, Hierome, and Augustine, meaning those Commentaries of Ambrose and Hierome, which before I cited. Whereby it may appeare that those Commentaries in the time of Sedulius were of good esteeme: for out of those very Commentaries of Hierome, he hath collected ma∣ny briefe passages, as in other matters, so in this particular. As Hie∣rome therefore had said in Rom. 1. 16. so saith hee almost in the same words: justi•…•…ia Dei est, p 1.53 quod justum fuerat, ut quomodo Abraham cre∣dens ex Gentib. per solam fidem justificatus est, ita caeteri fidem ejus imitantes salvarentur.

• 2. In Rom. 4. 5. Convertentem impium per solam fidem justificat Deus. And on those words of the Latine Edition secundum propositam grati∣am. that is, saith he, as Hierome had said before, quo gratis proposuit per solam fidem dimittere peccata.
• 3. In Rom. 4. 6. the blessednesse of man he calleth remission of sins by faith. It is a great blessednesse without the labour of the Law and penitence to obtaine the Grace of God by faith alone. Which words are in part taken out of S. Ierome on the same place.
• 4. In Rom. 8. 28. On those words secundum propositum, secundum quod proposuit salvare sola fide, according to which he purposed to save by faith alone those whom he foreknew should beleeve, whom also he freely called to salvation: Which word for word are taken out of Ierome.
• 5. In Rom. 10. 5. Moses put a difference betweene either justice, to wit, of faith and of workes: because the one, by workes; the other,

• ... sola credulitate justificet accedentem, by faith alone justifieth him that commeth: and so Ierome on the same place, out of whom also hee reci∣teth word for word, that which before I cited out of him in Rom. 10. 16. Ergo si fides sufficit adjustitiam, &c.
• 7. In Gal. 2. 20. In fide vero filii Dei] i. in sola fide, quia nihil debeo legi: so Ierome.
• 8. In Gal. 3. 14. ex fide. i. ut sola fide salvarentur credentes, &c.

XVII. Theodoret in Rom. 3. 24. sola enim fide allata peccatorum remis∣sionem* 1.54 accepimus. We have received remission of sinnes, having brought faith onely.

• 2. In Rom. 3. 25. Our Lord Christ, is both God, and the propitia∣tory, and the high Priest, and the Lambe, and by his bloud he procured our salvation, Solam à nobis fidem exigens, requiring of us faith alone.
• 3. In Eph. 2. 8. By grace, &c. for we brought onely faith. Neither did we of our owne accord beleeve, but being called we came, and when we were come hee did not exact of us the purity and innocencie of life, sed sola fide suscepta condona vit peccata, but hee forgave our sinnes accepting of our faith alone.
• 4. And in the seventh of his q 1.55 Therapeutickes, after he had cited that of Esai. 45. 23. I blot out your iniquities, &c. he addeth, for not by any praise-worthy workes of ours, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but by faith alone wee have obtained the mysticall or spirituall good things.

XVIII. Prosper Aquitanicus in his Epigrammes. r 1.56 r 1.57 Inde (i. ex doctrina Apostolica) capit (quisque) vitam, quam parit una fides. From the Do∣ctrine* 1.58 of the Apostles a man receiveth life, which faith alone doth be∣get or procure.

XIX. Claudius Marius Victor ^s—At ille (Abraham)* 1.59

Credidit, & nuda fidei confessio sola Plenam adjustitiae et meriti reputata coronam est.

XX. Petrus Chrysologus: t 1.60 Christus mulieris (haemarrhoissae) docuit ex∣emplo, quàm fides sola totam proficiat ad salutem.

The Testimonies which Bellarmine in the second place out of his owne store produceth for us out of Leo, are impertinent, for they speak of the work of faith, not in justifying but in sanctifying of us.

XXI. Primasius in Rom. 4. 3. Tam magna fuit don•…•… Dei fides Abrah•…•…* 1.61 ut & pristina ei peccata donarentur, & sola ei pro omni justitia duceretur ac∣cepto. The same had Ierome, saving that here is a divers reading: for that which we reade in Ierome, prae omni justitia doceretur accepta.— & repu∣tatum est illi ad justitiam] compensatum: sola fides.

• 2. In Rom. 4. 5. Imp•…•…um per solam fidem justificat, non per opera, quae non habuit; si enim secundum opera, puniend•…•…s est, non liberandus.
• 3. In Rom. 4. 12. ut omnes qui ex Gentib. credunt secundum fidem filii sint Abrahae, dum & illis sola fides adjustitiam repetatur, the very same had Ierome.
• 4. In Rom. 5. 1. Fides facit filios Abrahae, qui ante circum•…•…isionem exso∣la credulitate justificat•…•… est.
• 5. In Rom. 8. 28. Propositum Dei est, ut sine •…•…peribus Legis, vel quibus∣cunque

• ... aliis meritis, per fidem solam justificaret impios.
• 6. In •…•… Cor. 5. 19. Non reputans illis delicta ipsorum, h. e. indulgens per so∣lam fidem quae gratis donata est.
• 7. In Gal. 1. 3. Sola fide salvati est is per gratiam Dei.
• 8. In Gal. 2. 14. Non ex operib. sed sola fide per gratiam vitam habere te nosti. Hierome.
• 9. In Gal. 2. 17. Si enim gentes fides sola non salvavit, nec nos: quia ex operibus nemo justificabitur. Hierome.
• 10. In Gal. 2. 20. In fide verò Filii Dei] in sola fide. Hier.
• 11. In Gal. 3. 6. Abraham credidit Deo, &c. ita & vobis fides sola sufficit adjustitiam. Hier.
• 12. In Gal. 3. 14. Vt in Ge•…•…tib. benedictio Abrahae fieret in Christo Iesu] ut sola fide Gentes benedicerentur in Christo, sicut promissum fuerat Abrahae. Hierome. ut pollicitationem Spiritus accipiamus per fidem] solam.
• 13. In Gal. 3. 22. Vt necesse esset sola fide per gratiam salvari credentes.
• 14. In Gal. 3. 26. Omnes enim Filii Dei estis per fidem in Christo Iesu] •…•…nes enim •…•…qualiter & Iudai & Gentes per fidem solam, quae 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dei cre∣ditis Christo. Hierome.

XXII. Theodulus Caelo-Syriae presbyter, in Rom. 4. 13. Lex ob quam* 1.62 gloriaris nihil profuit adpromissiones ipsi Abraham factas, sed sola fides.

2. In Rom. 5. 2. ad i•…•…narrabilia dona & beneficia Dei in nos collata, nos* 1.63 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pr•…•…er fidem attulimus.

XXIII. Gen•…•…dius apud Oecumen. in Rom. 3. 24. freely, that is with∣out any good workes of thine thou art saved. And againe, as having brought with thee nothing but faith—Wherefore all that beleeve in Christ are justified freely, bringing with them onely to beleeve.

XXIV. Venantius Fortunatus, in expos-symboli, in artic. de remissione peccatorum: Nobis in hoc sermone sola cred•…•…litas sufficit.

XXV. Venerabilis Beda in Psa. 77. 7. per justitiam factorum nullus sal∣vabitur, sed per solam justitiam fidei.* 1.64

XXVI. Haymo in Gal. 3. 12. Lex non complebatur fide sed opere:* 1.65 Evangelium •…•…utem completur fide magis quàm operibus quia sola fides salvat.

• 2. In Rom. 1. Pluribus modis ostendit Paulus justitiam & salutem non esse per legem, sed per fidem in Christum, ut a lege abducat, & in sola fide Chri∣sti eos constituat.
• 3. In Ev•…•…ngel. de circumcisione Christi, sola tantummodo fide salvabuntur (gent•…•…s) siout scriptum est, justus exfide vivet.

XXVII. Photius apud Occumenium in Rom. 4. 1. speaking of Abra∣ham,* 1.66 you see that he hath not so much as any footstep of works, unto so great gifts from God, whence then was he vouchsafed them? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of faith alone.

• 2. In Gal. 3. 21. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 wherefore by faith alone they are able to obtaine the promises.

XXVIII. Smaragdus In Gal. 3. Necesse est sola fide Christi salvari* 1.67 credentes.

XXIX. Oecumenius in Gal. 3. 11. Because the righteous shall live* 1.68 by faith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for there is but one way saith hee

to justifie, and that is by faith.

• 2. In Col. 2. 14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for it is fufficient, saith he, to be∣leeve onely.

XXX. Theophylact in Rom. 4. 5. Doth he that is to be justified bring* 1.69 any thing? Faith onely.

• 2. In Rom. 9. ult. Fides itaque sola est: faith therefore is alone, and not workes with it, it worketh all things, and it justifyeth.
• 3. In Gal. 3. 11. Now hee doth plainely demonstrate, that faith it selfe alone hath in it the power of justifying. Bellarmine answereth, for this is the third place which hee would seeme to afford us out of his owne store, that his meaning is, that without faith nothing doth just•…•…fie. But the meaning is plaine, not, that other things cannot justifie without faith, but that faith alone without the helpe of other things is able to ju∣stifie.
• 4. In 2 Thes. 2. 17. that God pro sola fide, for faith alone will give yea those eternall good things.

XXXI. Anselmus Cantuariensis in Rom. 4. 5. but to him that doth not* 1.70 the workes of the Law, but without any precedent worke doth come to faith, sufficit ipsa fides adjustitiam, faith it selfe sufficeth unto righteous∣nesse.

• 2. In 1 Cor. 1. 4. For grace is given in Christ, because this is ordai∣ned of God, that he which beleeveth in Christ should be saved without worke, sola fide & gratis by faith alone and freely receiving remission of sinnes.

XXXII. Rupertus Tuitiensis lib. 2. in libros Regum cap. 39. The ob∣stinate* 1.71 Iew persisteth in contention and contemning the faith of Christ, qua sola justificare potest, which alone can justifie, arrogateth to himselfe numerous justice out of his workes.

XXXIII. Bernard, out of whom Bellarmine in the fourth place* 1.72 produceth a twofold testimony in our behalfe the former in Canticles, serm. 22. Whosoever hauing compunction for his sinnes doth hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, let him beleeve in Thee who dost justi∣fie the sinner, & solam justificatus per fidem, and being justified by faith alone, he shall have peace with thee.

• 2. The other Epist. 77. speaking of Mark. 16. 16. Courteously he did not repeate, but he that is not baptized, shall bee condemned: but onely, he that beleeveth not, intimating; that faith sometimes alone is sufficient to salvation, but without it nothing doth suffice.

To the former hee answereth that Bernard speaketh de viva fide of a lively faith, &c. as though we spake of any other. If hee confesse, that a lively faith doth justifie alone, it is all that wee seeke. For as for the dead faith, wee confesse, that it justifieth neither alone nor at all. And ther∣fore attribute lesse unto it, than the Papists themselves.

To the other hee answereth, that the word solam, excludeth onely the necessity of Baptisme in the case of necessity. Reply, if sometimes it doth suffice alone to salvation, then much more to justification, and if bap∣tisme which is manus dantis bee excluded then by the like reason all

other things which are in us are excluded from the act of justificati∣on.

XXXIV. Thomas Aquinas in 1 Tim. 1. lect. 3. there is not therefore* 1.73 any hope in the morall precepts sed in sola fide, but in faith alone.

• 2. In Gal. 3. 26. Sola fides faith alone maketh men the adoptive sons of God. Now that which alone maketh men the sonnes of God by adoption, that alone doth justifie them.

XXXV. Bo•…•…aventure in 4. Sent. dist. 15. part. 1. q. 1. because man* 1.74 could not satisfie for so great offence, therefore God gave unto him a Mediatour, who should satisfie for the offenee, whereupon in sola fide in the only faith of his passion all fault is remitted, and without faith ther∣of none is justified.* 1.75

XXXVI. Nicholas Gorrham in Rom. 4. If hee beleeve onely in Christ, though he doe not worke his faith alone is reputed for sufficient justice.

XXXVII. Couradus Clingius loc. commun. lib. 5. cap. 42. Deu•…•… justos nos* 1.76 reputat propter solum fidem in Christum, and in the old edition, cap. 117. sola fides bene sufficit adjustificationem.

XXXVIII. The judgement of Cardinall Contarenus we heard be∣fore,* 1.77 that wee are justified by the righteousnesse of Christ imputed to those that beleeve: whereupon it necessarily followeth, that in us no∣thing is required unto justification before God, but onely faith.

Thus in all ages of the Church justification by faith alone was a re∣ceived Doctrine, untill the accursed Councell of Trent which denoun∣ceth a u 1.78 curse against all those, who shall say, that a man is justified by faith alone. And yet even since that Councell the force of this truth hath expressed from the professed enemies of the Gospell a confession thereof.

Ben. Iustinianus in his paraphrase on Gal. 2. 16. hee rendreth it thus. And yet wee are not ignorant that a man is not justified by the workes of the Law, sed per unum Iesu Christi fidem but by the only faith in Christ and in his explanation he giveth this sence, because we who are by na∣ture Iewes cannot be justified by the Law sed per solam fidem but by faith alone, it followeth that no mortall man can obtaine righteousnesse by the workes of the Law, sed sol•…•…m ex Iesu Christi fide, but only by the faith of Iesus Christ. Yea, Bellarmine himselfe, * 1.79 saith, that to us the merits of Christ are applyed by the Sacraments; Hebr•…•…is per solum fidem, to the Hebrewes by faith alone. But the faithfull among the Hebrewes were justified no otherwise than Abraham was justified. And as Abraham x 1.80 the Father of all the faithfull y 1.81 who was the forme, and samplar of this thing was justified, so are wee. But Abraham was justified by faith alone, therefore wee also are justified by faith onely.

Neither is the justification by Sacraments repugnant to justificati∣on by faith alone, the meaning of our assertion being this, that in us nothing concurreth to the act of justification, as any cause thereof, but faith onely. For being justified by faith alone, as Abraham was, the Sa∣craments are added, as circumcision was to him, as seales z 1.82 of that righ∣teousnesse

which we have by faith. So that faith onely justifieth before God as the hand of the receiver: but the Sacraments serve to justifie the faithfull in the court of their Conscience by sealing and assuring un∣to them their justification.

Notes

• a 1.1

  AdDiogNetum.
• * 1.2

  Iustin. Martyr. Ann. Dom 160.
• b 1.3

  Ibid.
• c 1.4

  Advers. Iulian. lib. 1. c. 2.
• * 1.5

  Irenaeus. An. 180 lib. 4. ca. 5.
• * 1.6

  Clemens Alex. An. 200.
• d 1.7

  Paedag. l. 1. c. 6.
• e 1.8

  Stromat. l. 5.
• * 1.9

  Origen. An. 230
• f 1.10

  In Rom. 3. l. 3.
• g 1.11

  De justif. lib. 1. cap. 25.
• h 1.12

  Luk. 23. 40, 41, 42.
• i 1.13

  Luk. 7. 37.
• * 1.14

  Cyprian. An. 250
• k 1.15

  Ad Quirinum. l. 3. c. 42.
• l 1.16

  De eccl. Theol. l. 1. ca. 12.
• m 1.17

  Hilar. An. 360
• * 1.18

  In Mat. can. 8.
• n 1.19

  Can. 21.
• o 1.20

  De Trinit. li. 6.
• * 1.21

  Basil. An. 370.
• p 1.22

  Serm. De hu∣milita•…•…e.
• q 1.23

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. A•…•…brosc. A. 370.
• * 1.24

  Greg. Nazianz. A. 370.
• r 1.25

  B•…•…bliothec lib. 4.
• * 1.26

  De consecrat. dist. 4. c. 99.
• * 1.27

  Hieronymus▪ A. 380.
• s 1.28

  De scriptorib. in Hieronymo.
• t 1.29

  Alit•…•…r ut Hier∣onymus exponi•…•….
• * 1.30

  Chrysostome. A. 390.
• u 1.31

  Homil. 2.
• * 1.32

  Homil. 7.
• x 1.33

  Homil. 8.
• y 1.34

  Homil. 14.
• z 1.35

  Homil 5.
• a 1.36

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.37

  Homil. 3.
• c 1.38

  In Rom. 3. 28.
• d 1.39

  Tom. 6. p. 838.
• c 1.40

  Lib. 4. •…•…n c. 14.
• * 1.41

  Hesycbiusa. 400
• f 1.42

  De civit. D.
• * 1.43

  August. an. 400.
• g 1.44

  Grat de poeni∣ten•…•…iâ dist. c. 14.
• h 1.45

  Initio.
• i 1.46

  Tract. 42.
• k 1.47

  Lib. 1. cap. 21.
• l 1.48

  Qu•…•…st. 76.
• m 1.49

  in •…•…oan. l. 10. c. 18.
• * 1.50

  Cyrill. Alexandr. An. 430.
• n 1.51

  Lib. 9. c. 30.
• o 1.52

  Sedulius in Collectanes.
• p 1.53

  in Rom. i. 17.
• * 1.54

  Theod•…•…ret An. 430.
• q 1.55

  De Curand. Grac, affectib. lib. 7.
• r 1.56

  Epigram. 8. De doctrina Evan∣gelica.
• r 1.57

  In Gen. lib. 3.
• * 1.58

  Prosper. An. 440.
• * 1.59

  Cl. Mar. Victor.
• t 1.60

  Pet. Chrys. An 440. s•…•…rm. 34.
• * 1.61

  Primisius, An. 440.
• * 1.62

  Theodulus. Gennadius A. 490.
• * 1.63

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.64

  Venantius
• * 1.65

  A. 570. Beda. A. 720. Haymo. A. 840.
• * 1.66

  Photius, A. 860
• * 1.67

  Smaragdus A. 950.
• * 1.68

  Oecumenius A. 1050.
• * 1.69

  Th•…•…ophylact. A. 1070.
• * 1.70

  Anselmus A. 1080.
• * 1.71

  Rupertus an▪ 1120.
• * 1.72

  Bernard an. 1130.
• * 1.73

  Tho Aquinas. an. 1209.
• * 1.74

  Bonaventure, an. 1260.
• * 1.75

  Nic. Gorrham.
• * 1.76

  Cour. Clingius.
• * 1.77

  Car. Contarenus •…•…n. 1541.
• u 1.78

  Sess. 6. Can. 9.
• * 1.79

  De Sacrament lib. 2. cap. 3. in fine.
• x 1.80

  Rom. 4. 23, 24.
• y 1.81

  Ambrose in Gal. 3. 18. qui sorma jus rei est.
• z 1.82

  Rom. 4. 11