the ancient Fathers. On man's justification through Christ, they are particularly full. But I must not omit, on this head, the declarations of the Council of Trent, which I wish the reader to compare with the words of the Propositions.
COUNCIL OF TRENT.[1]
Though no man can be just, but he to whom the merits of the passion of Christ are communicated; yet this is done in the justification of the sinner, when, by the merit of that passion, the charity of God is infused into the hearts of them that are justified, and dwells therein ; whence, together with the remission of sins, man receives, through Jesus Christ, the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.” Sess. vi. c. 7, p. 30. “Wherefore, to them who do well unto the end, eternal life ought to be proposed; both as a grace which is mercifully promised to them through Jesus Christ, and as a recompence of their good works and merits, in virtue of this promise.—And as Jesus Christ perpetually sheds his influence on them that are justified; which influence precedes, and accompanies, and follows, all their good works, and without which no works can be pleasing to God, we must believe that nothing is now wanting to render them deserving of eternal life, in reward of their good deeds, provided they depart this life in the grace of God.—Although in the Holy Scriptures
- ↑ This council, which opened in 1545, and closed in 1563, was convened against the errors of Luther and other innovators, and for the reform of abuses; and as it is the last general one that has been held, and its decisions on doctrinal points are universally admitted by the Latin Church,—these decisions may be considered as forming a complete statement of the doctrines which the prelates, assembled at Trent, had received from their predecessors. On the subject of Justification they say :—"This holy Synod means to expound to the faithful that true and sound doctrine, which Christ, the author of our faith, taught, which the Apostles delivered, and which the Catholic Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has ever retained.”—Sess. vi. Proem. p. 24. Edit. Antwerpiæ, 1640.
