Faith does not cancel holiness
Third. The objections.
The first usual objection is this. To preach salvation, or justification, by faith alone, is to preach against holiness and good works.
A short answer is enough. It would be, if we spoke, as some do, of a faith cut off from holiness and good works. We do not. We speak of a faith that produces all good works, and all holiness.
It is worth taking the objection more slowly, because it is not a new one. It is as old as Paul's time. Even then people asked, do we cancel the law through faith? We answer, first, that everyone who does not preach faith does cancel the law. They do it openly, by comments and limits that eat the spirit out of the text. Or they do it indirectly, by never pointing to the only means by which the law can actually be kept. Second, we establish the law. We show its full reach, and its spiritual meaning. And we call everyone to the living way by which the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in them. These people, while they trust in the blood of Christ alone, use every means of grace he has appointed. They do the good works which God prepared beforehand for them to walk in. And they enjoy, and they show, every holy and heavenly temper. The same mind that was in Christ Jesus.
1872 text
The first usual objection to this is,
1. That to preach salvation or justification, by faith only, is to preach against holiness and good works. To which a short answer might be given: "It would be so, if we spake, as some do, of a faith which was separate from these; but we speak of a faith which is not so, but productive of all good works, and all holiness."
2. But it may be of use to consider it more at large; especially since it is no new objection, but as old as St. Paul’s time. For even then it was asked, "Do we not make void the law through faith?" We answer, First, all who preach not faith do manifestly make void the law; either directly and grossly, by limitations and comments that eat out all the spirit of the text; or indirectly, by not pointing out the only means whereby it is possible to perform it. Whereas, Secondly, "we establish the law," both by showing its full extent and spiritual meaning; and by calling all to that living way, whereby "the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in them." These, while they trust in the blood of Christ alone, use all the ordinances which he hath appointed, do all the "good works which he had before prepared that they should walk therein," and enjoy and manifest all holy and heavenly tempers, even the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1872 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1872 panel is the public-domain sermon. Its disputed lines were checked against the University of Toronto scan of the forty-four sermons: a public robber, a common harlot, sons of perdition, the Romish delusion, and Popery.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 1. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 18 June 1738. Ephesians 2:8.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Salvation by Faith, 1872 wording (English · The whole sermon, divided to match the reading)
- Checked print Forty-four Sermons, University of Toronto scan (English · Checked the robber, harlot, perdition, Romish, and Popery lines)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.