Trollope on Article XII: Of Good Works

Since this Article was not included amongst those of 1652, it was probably added, in l&^, with the view of marking more distincdy the opinion of the Church laid down in the preceding Article, and guarding ag^nst its abuse bj Antinomians and others to the purpose of con- tinuing m sin. It asserts that, although good works can on no account be reg^ded as a meritorioua muse of salvation, they are still inuispensible as an evidence of a true and liveiy faith, and are in Christy not in themselves, well pleaB- ingtoCk)d.

2. What is necessary to render Good Works pleasing in the sight of God ?

Although a man’s works may be popularly called good, yet, in order to please God, they must be good in a

are done for the sake of Christ, and proceed from a principle of true faith in him.

50 QUESTIONS ANB ANSWSB8 ON

3. What do you understand byjgood works, which follow after Justification ; and how does St. Paul enforce their necessity ?

It is of oourse essential that a man should be a Christian in order to aot upon Christian principles ; and therefore the good works whien are pleasing to God are said to ’ follow ‘after justification/ or after admission into a justified state by Baptism. Because unnecessary to admission into this state, they are not therefore unnecessary to continuance therein; and this St. Paul distinctly states in his re- monstrance against any perversion of the doctrine of juatp- Jication by faith onlif, as an argument for indulgence in vicious practices (Rom. vi. 1.) : — * What shall we say then? ’ Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound ? God for- ’ bid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer ’ therein ? Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized ’ into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death ? Therefore ’ we are buried with him by baptism into death ; that like as ’ Christ was raised up from the dead by the gloi*y of the ’ Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.’

4. Whence does it appear that good works are pleasing to God, and necessary to salvation ?

The numberless exhortations to practical holiness, which occur in almost every page of Scripture, afford unquestion* able proof that good works are ‘acceptable to God in ’ Christ ;’ not to mention that ’ Christ gave himself for us,

discerned by the fruit (Matt. vii. 16, 17. James ii. 18.) ; and although, by the corruption of human nature, even our best actions cannot endure the scrutiny of divine justice to the expiation of sin, since * after we have done all we are * but unprofitable servants’ (Luke xvii. 10.), yet the sen- tence of every man at the day of judgment will certainly be regulated by them. See Matt. xzv. 31. sqq. Rom. ii. 6. sqq.

5. Shew that it is in Christ that good works are thus acceptable.

St. Paul observes that although ’ by gprace we are saved ’ through faith, not of works ;’ yet are we ’ created in Chridt

’ Jemi uuto good works, which God hath before ordained * that we should walk in them* (Eph. ii. 8. 10.). Thus also he writes to the Colossians (iii. 17.) : — * Whatsoever ye do ’ in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, ’ giving thanks to God and the Father in him.’

6. Does not however a future judgment accord- ing to our works imply merit and demerit F

It is utterly absurd and preposterous to imagine the remotest claim of merit, as capable of being urged by a fallen creature before a Being of infinite majesty, more especially with reference to an eternity of reward. But though imperfection can have no merit, it admits of degrees, so that all men are not, in respect of their actions, on the same footing. The merits of Cfhrist will be applied to some, and withheld from others, in proportion to their relative exertions after holiness, and their relative disregard of religion and its duties.

7. Show that good works do spring out neces- sarily of a true and lively faith.

It is but reasonable to suppose that a true faith will necessarily produce good works ; and that in proportion to its sincerity. If a man verily believes in the truth of the Gospel, and is positively convinced that his eternal happi- ness depends upon a strict conformity to its precepts, he will surely endeavour, by the assistance of that grace of which he has the promise, and trusts to the efficacy, to comply with its demands. Hence it is, that wherever faith is men- tioned in Scripture, it is supposed to be thus productive. See Matt. vii. 23. Acts xx. 21. Gal. v. 6. 2 Pet. i. 5.

8. Adduce passag’es in which the necessity of good works is advocated by the early Fathers.

Clem. Rom. ad Cor. c. 10. Abraham was found faith- ful, because he was obedient to GoWs commandments. Ig- natius, ad Ephes. c. 9. Faith is your guide ; and love is the way which leads you to God. Again, c. 14. No man, who binds himself by the covenant of faith y sinneth. A tree is known by its fruit : and thv£ they, who have engaged themselves to be Vhristians, shall be manifest by the things which they do, Justin M. Apol. I. c. 16. Christ has ae-

olured that not they who only profess his religion, but they who do the works which he has commanded them, shall be saved.