Truths Triumph Over Trent, Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Of mans workes done before grace, or of preparation in man vntounto Iustification, commonly called the merit of Congruitie.
The Romish Faith.
THE title of the fift Chapter of the sixt Session of the Councell of Trent, is Of the necesitie Concil. Trid. Ses. 6. cap. 5.of preparation to Iustification in men of ripe age; where they say, That by their free-will, stirred vp and helped by grace, they are disposed to conuert themselues to their Iustification, by free assenting and cooperating with the same grace.Ibid. cap. 6. Free-will the mother of Romes preparatory workes. The ground of which disposition to Iustification, is freewill; which cooperating with grace, produceth fixe seuerall workes of preparation, laid downe by the Councell here, and reckoned vp by Vega, one of the Councels chiefe champions.Vega lib. 6. de preparatione adultorum ad Iustif. cap. 12. First, an Historicall …aith conceiued by hearing, beleeuing the truth of Gods promises to a sinner in generall: Secondly, a feare of Gods iustice, arising from the apprehension of their sinnes▪ whence they arise (thirdly) to a hope, by conuerting themselues to the consideration of Gods mercy, trusting that God, for Christs sake, will be fauourable vntounto them; whom they then begin (fourthly) to louelove, as the fountaine of all righteousnesse: and therefore are moued by a hatred and detestation against sinne, that is (fiftly) by that *Per …am paenitentiam, Which I translate Penance, according to the vsuall and vulgar language of their Rhemes Testament: nor hauehave they any other repentance but Penance. Can. 1.Penance which they are to doe before Baptisme, while (sixtly) they resolue to receiue Baptisme, to begin a new life, and to keepe the Commandements of God. And Can. 1. If any man shall say that a man may be iustified before God by his owne workes, which are done either by the power of mans nature, or by the doctrine of the Law, without diuine grace by Iesus Christ, let him be accursed.