Philip E. Hughes, M.A., Th.D. "Theology of the English Reformers." 2--Ju...

RIGHT FAITH AND WRONG FAITH; LIVING AND DEAD FAITH William Tyndale: “I pray thee how many thousands are there of them that say, ‘I believe that Christ was born of a virgin that He died, that He rose again,’ and so forth, and thou canst not bring them in belief that they have any sin at all!...For though they believe that Christ died, yet believe they not that He died for their sins, and that His death is a sufficient satisfaction for their sins; and that God, for His sake, will be a father unto them, and give them power to resist sin.” William Tyndale. Works. 1.79, 113. FAITH AND WORKS: WORKS FOLLOWETH Thomas Cranmer: “How can a man have this true faith, this sure trust and confidence in God, that by the merits of Christ his sins be remitted and he be reconciled to the favour of God, and to be partaker of the kingdom of heaven by Christ, when he liveth ungodly and denieth Christ in his deeds? Surely no such ungodly man can have this faith and trust in God…Therefore, to conclude, considering the infinite benefits of God, shewed and exhibited unto us mercifully without our deserts…: these great and merciful benefits of God, if they be well considered, do neither minister unto us occasion to be idle, and to live without doing any good works, nor yet stir us to do evil things; but contraries, if we be not desperate persons and our heart harder than stones, they move us to render ourselves unto God wholly, without our will, hearts, might and power, to serve Him in all good deeds, obeying His commandments during our lives, to seek in all things His glory and honour, not our sensual pleasures and vain-glory; evermore dreading willingly to offend such a merciful God and loving Redeemer, in word, thought or deed. And the said benefits of God, deeply considered, do move us for His sake also to be ever ready to give ourselves to our neighbors, and, as much as lieth in us, to study with all our endeavour to do good to every more. These be the fruits of the true faith, to do good, as much as lieth in us, to every man, and, above all things, and in all things, to advance the glory of God, of whom only we have our sanctification, justification, salvation and redemption.” Thomas Cranmer. Works. 2.133f. Thomas Cranmer in his Homily of Faith: “…a true faith cannot be kept secret but will break out and show itself by good works…all Holy Scripture agreeably beareth witness that a true and lively faith in Christ doth bring forth good works…every man must examine himself diligently, to know whether he have the same true lively faith in his heart unfeignedly, or not; which he shall know by the fruits thereof…Deceive not yourselves therefore, thinking that you have faith in God or that you love God, or do trust in Him, or do fear Him, when you live in sin; for then your ungodly and sinful life declareth contrary, whatsoever ye say or think. It pertains to a Christ man to have this true Christian faith, and to try himself whether he hath it or no, and to know what belongeth to it, and how it doth work in him…Christ Himself speaketh of this matter, and saith: ‘The tree is known by the fruit.’ Therefore, let us do good works, and thereby declare our faith to be the lively Christian faith. Let us by such virtues as ought to spring out of faith show our election to be sure and stable, as St. Peter teacheth: ‘Endeavor yourselves to make your calling and election certain by good works.’…So shall we indeed show that we have the very lively Christian faith, and may so both certify our conscience the better that we be in the right faith, and also by these means confirm other men. If these fruits do not follow, we do but mock with God, deceive ourselves, and also other men. Well may we bear the name Christian men, but we do lack the true faith that doth belong thereunto. For true faith doth ever bring forth good works, as St. James saith: ‘Show me thy faith by thy deeds.’ Thy deeds and works must be an open testimonial of they faith: otherwise thy faith, being without good works, is but the devil’s faith, the faith of the wicked, a fantasy of faith, and not a true Christ faith…Therefore, as you profess the name of Christ, good Christian people, let no such fantasy and imagination of faith at any time beguile you; but be sure of your faith: try it by your living.” Thomas Cranmer. Works. 2.136ff.