Untitled - Rore Sanctifica

Introductory Essay.
Ixi
known, and faith which believes that sins are
remitted for CHRIST, be placed far above works.
Wherefore Paul, too, lays especial stress upon
this topic, to show that Christian righteousness
is something else than works of this sort, viz.,
faith which believes that sins are remitted
gratis
for CHRIST.*
This faith then as to oneself became the end
of all besides. "Faith," the Apology
"
is conceived and confirmed
for the
Confession says,
through absolution, through hearing of the
Gospel, through use of the Sacraments, lest it
succumb when it struggles with the terrors of
sin and death."f To produce this faith is, ac
cording to them, the object of
"
the Ecclesi
astical ministry;" it is the end of sacraments;
it is the qualification for the worthy reception
of the Holy Eucharist ;J it is the essence of
penitence ; it is the condition of justification.
Without it, nothing avails ; it is the substance
of all, involves all. The real presence of
CHRIST S Body and Blood is stated; yet the
*
Conf. Aug. Abus. v. de discr. cib., p. 27.
+ 16. p. 131.
"
They ought to believe that sins are
remitted to themselves gratis for CHRIST S sake. This faith
raises, supports, and quickens the contrite, &c. This faith
obtains remission of sins : this faith justifies before GOD, &c.
16. p. 130.
"He is truly worthy and rightly prepared who has
J
faith in these words, is given and shed for you for
the remission of sins. But he who does not believe these
words, or doubts as to them, he is unworthy and unpre
pared." Luther, Lesser Catech. Libb. Symb. p. 297.