mercy and goodness on us, who were guilty and worthy of damnation, out of mere and perfect love, giving his Son unto death for us and raising him for our justification, that through Him we might obtain immortality and life eternal.
XXI. Of the satisfaction of Christ, our only high priest, for us.
We believe that Jesus Christ is ordained with an oath to be an everlasting high priest, after the order of Melchisedec. Who hath presented himself in our behalf before his Father, to appease his wrath by his full satisfaction, by offering himself on the tree of the cross, and pouring out His precious blood to purge away our sins; as the prophet had foretold. For it is written, “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed: He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and numbered with the transgressors:” and condemned by Pontius Pilate as a malefactor, though he had first declared him innocent. Therefore, “he restored that which he took not away, and suffered the just for the unjust,” as well in his body as soul, feeling the terrible punishment which our sins had merited; insomuch “that his sweat became like unto drops of blood falling on the ground.” He called out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” And hath suffered all this for the remission of our sins.—Wherefore we justly say with the Apostle Paul, “that we know nothing, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified; and we count all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord:”, in whose wounds we find all manner of consolation. Neither is it necessary to seek or invent any other means of being reconciled to God, than this only sacrifice, once offered, by which believers are made perfect forever. This is also the reason why he was called by the angel of God, Jesus, that is to say, Saviour, because he should save his people from their sins.
XXII. Of our justification through faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe that to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him. For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those, who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in Him.—Therefore, for any to assert that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy; for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a
