Trollope on Article XIV: Of Works of Supererogation

Supereropatfont from the Latin verb erogare, ’ to disburse * money,’ signifies in fact the over-payment qfa debt ; and Works of Supererogation^ in the language of the Romish Church, are good deeds which a man may have done over and beyond what is actually necessary to ensure his salva- tion.

2. In what does this doctrine of the Romish Church appear to have originated ?

The notion seems to have arisen out of an assumed distinction between the precepts and the eounseh of the Gospel. As the Jews distinguished between the weightier and lighter matters of the Law, and thus made the com- mandments of GK>d of none effect through their traditions (Matt. XV. 3.) ; so the Romanists maintain in like manner

that, besides the positive duties enjoined in the New Testa- ment, there are certain Counsels of Perfection, which ad- vise the vohmtarp, performance of many works, though not of universal obligation.

3. Give an example of these ” Counsels of Per- section ; ” and show that they have no real founda- tion in Scripture.

One of the texts npon which this error is founded, is that in which St Paul offered his opinion that, *J’or the pre-

• sent distress ; it was good for a man to abstain from mar-

• riage ’ (I Cor. vii. 26. 38.) ; whereon the Romanists build the 8upererogatoi*y virtue of celibacy. It is clear, however, that this, and other passages similarly perverted, have a reference either to a definite period, or to particular cir- cumstances ; so that they cannot have a general application.

4. To what extent have the Romanists carried their notions on this subject ; and to what purpose are works of supererogation applied ?

Not only do they hold that Christ both did and suffered more than was necessary for man’s salvation, but that the saints have practiced much beyond the reauisite amount of vir^ie to merit their own justification. Or this superabun- dant store of merit the Pope is the guardian ; ana be dis- penses it in the form of Pardons and Indulgences to any person or persons who may stand in need thereof, and have the means of obtaining them.

5. “What are Pardons and Indulgences ? See under Art. xxil.

6. Does the Gospel afford any sanction to the doctrine condemned in this Article X

So far from affording the slightest sanction to the doc- trine that a man can do more than is required of him, the Gospel urges us to strive to * be perfect even as our

• Father which is in heaven is perfect’ (Matt. v. 48.) ; * when

• we have done all to say we are unprofitable servants, hav-

• iiig only done what it was our duty to do ’ (Luke xvii. 10.) ; and * to cleanse ourselves from all nlthiness ooth of the flesh

’ and spirit, perfecting^ holiness in the fear of God’ (2 Cor. vii. 1.). He then that has no merit of his own, can have none to transfer to others : so that * no man may deliver his ’ brother, nor make agreement unto God for nim ’ (Psal. xlix. 7.).

7. Why cannot Works of Supererogation be taught without arrogance and impiety ?

A doctrine which is so opposed to the humilitv which the Gospel teaches (Luke xviii. 9—14.), may well be called arrogant ; nor can it be taught without impiety, inasmuch as it detracts from the all-sufficiency of the atonement, and contradicts the most explicit declarations of Scrip- ture.

8. Illustrate this Article by quotations from the Fathers.

Basil on Psal. xlix. 7. Sow can he, mho cannot make satitfaction to God for his onm sins, propitiate Him for those qf another? Cyprian. Test. ill. 51. Ivo one ought to he lifted up on account of what he does. Augustin. in Johan. Tr. 84. ^ The Hood oja maiHyr is net t^eafor the remission qfthe sins qfhis brethren, as Christ died jot us.