Faith
There is yet one thing more that may be considered by itself, though it cannot actually be separated from what goes before it, and it is implied in being altogether a Christian. That is the ground of all, even faith. Very excellent things are spoken of this throughout the oracles of God.
Everyone, says the beloved disciple, who believes is born of God. To as many as received him, he gave power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on his name. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Yes, our Lord himself declares, He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and does not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.
But here let no man deceive his own soul. It is diligently to be noted: the faith which does not bring forth repentance, and love, and all good works, is not that right living faith, but a dead and devilish one. For even the devils believe that Christ was born of a virgin, that he worked all kinds 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 sits at the right hand of the Father, and that at the end of the world he shall come again to judge both the living 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 are but devils. They remain still in their damnable estate, lacking the very true Christian faith. That is the Homily on the salvation of man.
The right and true Christian faith is, to go on in the words of our own church, not only to believe that holy scripture and the articles of our faith are true, but also to have a sure trust and confidence of being saved from everlasting damnation by Christ. It is a sure trust and confidence which a man has in God, that by the merits of Christ his sins are forgiven, and he is reconciled to the favor of God. From this follows a loving heart, to obey his commandments.
By the power of God who dwells in the heart, this faith purifies it from pride, anger, and desire, from all unrighteousness, and from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. It fills the heart with love stronger than death, both toward God and toward all mankind. That love does the works of God, and it glories to spend and to be spent for all men. It endures with joy, not only the reproach of Christ, the being mocked, despised, and hated by all men, but whatever the wisdom of God permits the malice of men or of devils to inflict. Whoever has this faith, thus working by love, is not almost only, but altogether a Christian.
1771 text
III.) 3. There is yet one thing more that may be separately considered, tho’ it cannot actually be separate from the preceding, which is implied in the being altogether a Christian. And that is the ground of all, even faith. Very excellent things are spoken of this throughout the oracles of God. Every one, saith the beloved disciple, that believeth, is born of God. To as many as received him, gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. And, this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Yea, our Lord himself declares, He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and cometh not into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.
4. But here let no man deceive his own soul. “It is diligently to be noted, the faith which bringeth not forth repentance and love, and all good works, is not that right living faith, but a dead and devilish one. For even the devils believe, that Christ was born of a virgin, that he wrought all kinds 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 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.”
5. “The right and true Christian faith is (to go on in the words of our own church) 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. It is a sure trust and confidence which a man hath in God, that by the merits of Christ his sins are forgiven, and he reconciled to the favour of God,――whereof doth follow a loving heart, to obey his commandments.”
6. Now whosoever has this faith, which purifies the heart, by the power of God, who dwelleth therein, from pride, anger, desire, from all unrighteousness, from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, which fills it with love stronger than death, both to God and to all mankind; love that doth the works of God, glorying to spend and to be spent for all men, and that endureth with joy, not only the reproach of Christ, the being mocked, despised, and hated of all men, but whatsoever the wisdom of God permits the malice of men or devils to inflict; whosoever has this faith, thus working by love, is not almost only, but altogether a Christian.