The words of our own church
I cannot describe the nature of this faith better than in the words of our own church. The only instrument of salvation, of which justification is one branch, is faith. That is, a sure trust and confidence that God both has forgiven and will forgive our sins, that he has accepted us again into his favor, for the merits of Christ's death and passion.
But here we must take heed that we do not halt with God, through an inconstant, wavering faith. Peter, coming to Christ upon the water, because he fainted in faith, was in danger of drowning. So we, if we begin to waver or doubt, it is to be feared that we should sink as Peter did, not into the water, but into the bottomless pit of hell-fire. Those words are from the second sermon on the passion.
Therefore have a sure and constant faith, not only that the death of Christ is available for all the world, but that he has made a full and sufficient sacrifice for you, a perfect cleansing of your sins, so that you may say with the apostle, He loved you, and gave himself for you. For this is to make Christ your own, and to apply his merits to yourself. Those words are from the sermon on the sacrament, the first part.
1771 text
3. I cannot describe the nature of this faith better, than in the words of our own church. “The only instrument of salvation” (whereof justification is one branch) “is faith: that is, a sure trust and confidence, that God both hath and will forgive our sins, that he hath accepted us again into his favour, for the merits of Christ’s death and passion.――But here we must take heed that we do not halt with God, through an inconstant, wavering faith. Peter coming to Christ upon the water, because he fainted in faith, was in danger of drowning. So we, if we begin to waver or doubt, it is to be feared, that we should sink as Peter did, not into the water, but into the bottomless pit of hell-fire.” Second sermon on the passion.
“Therefore have a sure and constant faith, not only that the death of Christ is available for all the world, but that he hath made a full and sufficient sacrifice for thee, a perfect cleansing of thy sins, so that thou mayst say with the apostle, he loved thee and gave himself for thee. For this is to make Christ thine own, and to apply his merits unto thyself.” Sermon on the sacrament, first part.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 5 in the 1771 Works. Romans 4:5.
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