The New York herald., 1845-03-08
The Doctrine Of Justifcati0n-of Faith and
GOOD Works Examsncd,
A LECTURE DELIVERED BY BISHOP HUGHES IN Sr.
PaTRIcK's CATHEDRAL, THURSDAY, March Z,

Good Works Exemsncds
A LECTURE DELIVERED BY BIsHoP HUauEs IN Sr.
PaTRIcK's CATHEDRAL, THURSDAY, MARcH 7,
1916.
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| iih TO the 2sth verses, both inclusive.
1t is manifest, beloved brethren, from the crcum-
stances in which this inspired language was ad.
dressed to the first Christians, that twas addressed
to those who had already learned oil that is neces-
sary as regards the revelation OF the Bible, for
the acquisition OF faith and the practice OF
| good works. This Holy Scripture, like all other
portions Of the New Testament, was not addressed
| to Pagans, not to unconverted Jews, but was ad-
dressed to those Christians who had already been
instructed and initiated into the knowledge and
mysteries of the Christian doctrine; for it would
| be evidently unreasonable to address language Of
this kind to those who had not previously an oppor.
tunity of knowing what is the object and nature of
faith in itself, and also Of good works according to
the understanding of them by the inspired apostle
| He therefore addresses those Christians who were
perhaps disposed to magnify the strength, and en-
| ergy and firmness, Of their own faitf-the full
| ness and sutliciency of their belief-cf those
olt Al h,t
ol life itself, 10 test the sincerity of their con-
victions in relation to the Son of God and
| possibly, also, he addresses it to them for the
purpose Of reminding them that, although faith
| be an essential preliminary, necessary requi.
site, still it is not, by itself, sufficient; and, to
teach them, and all future generations of believers,
that while God has done all that became his mer-
cy, and goodness for the ransom Of mankind, he
appeals to man to do his part, and by cooperating
with God, realize his design, his sanctificaton and
salvation. He speaks of salvation-he speaks of
faith and OF work and If you give your attention
to this passage, II will seem TO you as if all the
work Of mans redemption and sanctification de-
pends on himself But the reason is given, and
being Instructed, the writer knew they would know
and understand his language as applying to that
gift of faith given by God preparation for the
performance of their part in their salvation. There
is, perhaps in all the range Of modern controversy
no subject on which SO much of misapprehension,
and consequently OF illusion. prevails among those
separated from the Cathllc Church, as on the SUBJ
ject of faith Although they do not understand
our doctrine.-generally speaking-nor indeed their
own, there Is some general idea pervading. the
minds o! Protestants educated as we'll as uneduca-
ted that justification and sanctification is entirely
the work Of God, redounding exclusively to his
glory, and in which man has no share; that it is
not 10 be thought for moment that his impeliec-
ton has any share IN the work OF God and hence
is that in their most solemn appeals to the soul at
the moment Of dissolution, in all their advices and
used s'Put your whole trust in Christ don't look
to anything else-do not, in any degree, rely upon
the works or merit Of any human being" Now, this
language IN itself, is not objectionable, nor
such as might not be heard with entire propriety
from the lips Of Catholic placed in similar circum
stances. But 1t 10 the radical principle of the sys
tenn on which this amentable separation has taken
place in great measure; for although in popular
instruction, there is no idea now OF the original
doctrine, that if you come to examine their books
and the principles held by the men who dictated
the separation, you will there discover that the
very basis OF the doctrine rests in the distinction
to be utterly shut out from the possibility of do
| ing anything for or against his own salvation
Let me explain my meaning In the first place
offence was taken with the doctrine OF geod works
as held by those in the communion OF the Catholic
| Church. II is possible some might depend too
much on faith. and through an exaggeration of its
effects be liable 70 that errors but at all events the
father Of the reformation-so called assumed 1t as
principle that faith in Christ is the sign of cleo
tion, and that the works man does either before
or after the period of his regeneration are entirely
1 IL.
terly unayailing to his salvation. This at the first
| view would appear to shock every sensible mind :
| because it would follow as a consequence, these
men made no distinction between virtue and vice;
| that they held that God looked down with equal
indifference on the man who obeyed and he who sin.
ned against the decalogue. These appear TO be ali
resulting from the doctrine lust refer.
red to. But then it lsto be observed that error will
consequences following from will be sought to be avoid
ed or reconced with by those who hold it. Hence they
MI nnfh md hnu fNoIs 4
different to virtue or vice but thst he has framed from
eternity law for the government Of man. by which law
hence God could not relax ota of certain REQUIRE
ments Of that law framed for their government conse.
uentiy being unable to fulfil Of themselves that law God
justified in condemning the whole race in the orQre.
gate for not observing law they had not power TO OBJ
in consequences Of their fall and thst he does no
out ofhis mercy, by his free will and pleasure be
decreed to select few-to call concatc and convert
certain number for his glory he does 80 without in
justice towards the others Thus there Is seen mani
fesa.ion Of Gods goodnessit is said in their salvation
without works on their part-otherwse all the glory
would not be Gods; end so many long and learned dis
sertatons written these affecting TO
exa the attributes of God and depress man into utter in
in his own salvation Hence the old principle s adopted
by all their followers to this day. that man il saved bv
sa iSth alone g & the exclusion OF good works and is
giving unlimited glory and praise to God in taking away
from man every petext for gloyng This then was their
teaching the value Of good wsrks she despoed God Of
share othe glory andprsse which solely his But we
for The church. who is the conservator Of our faith
does not each us this but that according language
the Apostle in the text although faith be gift of
manifestation to you well to those buried in the
midst of doatry this principle in your hearts you give
outward manifestation Of Its exitence in your actons
still having received this gift from his goodness you
live in the light Of this fsh nnd show by life an
obedience to the preceps enoned Nmeans not merely
outward worksbut that interior operation Of the soul
which you may read in the lives oil tho servants Of God
whose every aspiration directed towards the throne
Of God Tks is the love Of Chrstths 10 the practice Of
the Saints Thus Is, beloved brethren essentol-
speak OF you members Of the Church Of God-to hav
works. for although without fah II is impossible to
please God Yet have the declaration Of the same d.
vinely inspired Apostle that faith without works s
But there s one particular feature of this passage
tnguishing the teaching Of the Catholic Church from
that OF those secs who are unhappy separated from her
communion and that s the reference of the Apostle
mans share in his own salvation. II, beloved brethren
as these false lights would have believe, God
dsined specific number to life eternsl leaving the
their awful prospect il would be mockery TO nppea