11. As then _John_ Baptist, as great and godly a man as he was, yet in this matter of forgiving sin put the people from him, and pointed them to Christ, saying, _Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world_: even so as great and godly a virtue as faith is, it putteth us from itself, and pointeth us to Christ, to have only by him remission of sins or justification. So that our faith as it were, saith unto us thus: _It is not I that taketh away your sins. It is Christ only, and to him alone I send you for that purpose; forsaking all your good virtues, words, thoughts, and works, and putting your trust in Christ only._
12. And in truth, neither our faith nor our works do justify us; that is, deserve remission of our sins: but God himself doth justify us, of his own mercy, thro’ the merits of his Son only. Nevertheless, because by faith given us of God, we embrace the promise of God’s mercy, and of the remission of our sins; therefore the scripture saith, _that faith doth justify_, yea, _Faith without works_. And as it is all one to say, _Faith without works_, and _only faith doth justify us_, therefore the ancient fathers from time to time speak thus: _Only faith justifieth us_, meaning no other than St. _Paul_ meant when he saith, _Faith without works justifieth us_. And because this is wrought through the only merits of Christ, and not thro’ our merits, or thro’ the merit of any virtue we have within us, or of any work that cometh from us: therefore, in that respect, we renounce, as it were, again, faith, works, and all other virtues. For our corruption through original sin is so great, that _all our faith, charity, words and works cannot merit or deserve any part of our justification for us_. And therefore we thus speak, humbling ourselves to God, and giving to our Saviour Christ all the glory of our justification.
13. To justify then, is the office of God to man. Our office and duty to God is not to pass our time sinfully or unfruitfully: for this were to serve the devil, and not God. For that faith which bringeth not forth repentance, but either evil works, or no good works, is not a right, pure and living faith, but a dead and devilish one, as _Paul_ and St. _James_ call it. For even the devils believe, _That Christ was born of a virgin: that he wrought all kind of miracles, declaring himself very God: that for our sakes he suffered a most painful death, to redeem us from death everlasting: that he rose again the third day: that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right-hand of the Father, and at the end of the world shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead_. These articles of our faith the devils believe, and so they believe all that is written in the Old and New Testament. _And yet for all this faith, they be but devils. They remain still in their damnable estate, lacking the very true Christian faith._
14. _The right and true Christian faith, is not only to believe that holy scripture, and the articles of our faith are true; but also, to have a sure trust and confidence, to be saved from everlasting damnation by Christ; whereof doth follow a loving heart to obey his commandments._
15. And this true Christian faith, neither any devil hath, nor yet any man, who, in his receiving the sacraments, in coming to church, and in all other outward appearances, seemeth to be a Christian, and yet in his life sheweth the contrary. For how can a man have this _true faith, sure trust and confidence in God, that by the merits of Christ his sins are forgiven, and ♦be reconciled to the favour of God, when he denieth Christ in his works_? Surely no ungodly man can have this faith, and trust in God!
♦ “he” replaced with “be”
16. If we do truly believe, that whereas we were condemned to hell and death everlasting, God hath given his own son to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death for our offences, to justify us, and to restore us to life everlasting: if we truly believe, that he hath made us his dear children, brethren unto his only son, and inheritors with him of his eternal kingdom of heaven; these great and merciful benefits of God will move us to render ourselves unto God wholly, with all our hearts, might, and power, to serve him in all good works, to seek in all things his glory; evermore dreading to offend in word, thought, or deed, such a merciful God and loving Redeemer. They will also move us, to be ever ready for his sake to give ourselves to our neighbours, and as much as lieth in us, to study with all our endeavour, to do good to every man. These are the fruits of true faith, to do good, as much as lieth in us, to every man; and above all things, and in all things, to advance the glory of God: to whom be praise and honour, world without end!
_Of_ true Christian faith.