Wesley Corpus

Wherefore that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of com fort, as most largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.” I believe this Article relates to the meritorious cause of jus tification, rather than to the condition of it. On this, therefore, I do not build anything concerning it, but on those that follow. “Albeit, that good works, which are the fruits of faith and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith : Insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree may be known by the fruit.” We are taught here, (1.) That good works in general follow after justification. (2.) That they spring out of a true and lively faith, that faith whereby we are justified. (3.) That true, justifying faith may be as evidently known by them as a tree discerned by the fruit. Does it not follow, that the supposing any good work to go before justification is full as absurd as the supposing an apple, or any other fruit, to grow before the tree? But let us hear the Church, speaking yet more plainly:-- AltTICLE XIII.-OF WORKS DONE BEFORE JUSTIFICATION. “Works done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his Spirit,” (that is, before justification, as the title expresses it.) “are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesu Christ. Yea, rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we -doubt not they have the nature of sin.” Now, if all works done before justification have the nature of sin, (both because they spring not of faith in Christ, and because they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done,) what becomes of sanctification previous to justi fication? It is utterly excluded; seeing whatever is previous to justification is not good or holy, but evil and sinful.