Church, founded upon Apostolical Authority. Thus, "shewing their faith by their works, according to an Apostle's injunction, they will most effectually reprove gainsayers, recal wanderers, and prepare themselves, "in this day of trial which is to come upon all the earth," to give account of their stewardship when summoned before their Judge.

CHAPTER THE FIFTH.

QUOTATIONS

FROM THE ANTIENT FATHERS OF THE

CHRISTIAN CHURCH, IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVING THAT THEY MAINTAINED DOCTRINES IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO THE PECULIAR TENETS OF CALVINISM.

IGNATIUS, A CONTEMPORARY OF THE APOSTLES.
Cotelerius's Edition-A. D. 1724.

F all which, nothing is hidden from you, if you have faith perfectly towards Jesus Christ, and charity, which are the beginning and the end of life. Faith is the beginning, charity the end. These two formed into one are of God. But all other things which relate to a holy life are consequences of these things. No one professing (ayyɛλλóμevos) faith is guilty of sin; and no one who possesses love is guilty of hatred. The tree is made manifest by its fruit: so those who profess themselves Christians shall be discerned by their actions. For it is not now a work of profession, but in the power of faith, if a man be found unto the end.” (ἐάν τις εὐρέθη εἰς Téλos.) Vol. 2. p. 15.

"I do not speak of two natures of men, but that the one man is sometimes of God, sometimes of the devil. If any one be pious, he is a man of God; but if any one be impious, he is a man of the devil, being made so, not by nature, but by his own will." Vol. 2. p. 55.

CLEMENT OF ROME, A CONTEMPORARY OF THE
APOSTLES.

Cotelerius's Edition-A. D. 1724.

"LET us look stedfastly at the blood of Christ, and see how precious his blood is in the sight of God; which being shed for our salvation, has obtained the grace of repentance for all the world. Let us search into all ages, and learn that our Lord has in every one of them given opportunity for repentance to all such as were willing to turn unto him." Vol. 1. p. 152.

The history of Rahab, who was directed by the spies to bind a line of scarlet thread upon the windows of her house, as a sign for the Israelites to spare it and all those who were within, is considered by Clement of Rome and many others of the early Fathers, as shewing, "that through the blood of the Lord, there will be redemption to all who believe and hope in God." Vol. 1. p. 155, and note.

"Let us then hold fast to those to whom grace

is

is given by God. Let us put on concord, being humble, temperate, abstaining from all whisper ing and detraction, justified by actions and not by words... Let us then hold fast to the blessing of God, and consider what are the ways of the blessing; let us examine those things which have happened from the beginning. For what was our Father Abraham blessed? Was it not because through faith he wrought righteousness and truth? Isaac, knowing with confidence what was to come, cheerfully submitted to be a sacrifice. Jacob, with humility, departed out of his own country, flying from his brother, and went to Laban, and served him, and the sceptre of the twelve tribes of Israel was given to him. They were therefore all glorified and magnified, not for their own sake, or for their works, the righteousness which they had wrought, but through his will. And we therefore being called by his will, in Christ Jesus, are justified, not by ourselves, or by our own wisdom, or knowledge, or piety, or the works which we have wrought in holiness of heart, but by the faith by which Almighty God has justified all men from the beginning, to whom be glory for ever and ever; Amen. What then shall we do, brethren? Shall we cease from good works, and lay aside charity? "God forbid that this should take place in us; but

U

let

let us hasten with cheerfulness and alacrity to perform every good work... Let us observe that all just men were adorned with good works. And even the Lord himself, having adorned himself with works, rejoiced. Having therefore his example, let us fulfil his will; let us work the work of righteousness with all our strength. We must therefore be ready in well doing: for from thence all things are derived. For he foretells to us, behold the Lord cometh, and his reward is be-fore his face, to render to every one according to his work. He warns us therefore beforehand with all his heart for this purpose, that we should not be slothful or negligent in well-doing." Vol. P. 165, &c.

JUSTIN MARTYR-A. D. 140.

Thirlby's Edition—▲. D. 1722.

"WE are persuaded that God does not stand in need of the material offerings of men, seeing that he is himself the giver of all things; but we have been taught, and know, and believe, that he accepts those only who imitate his own good qualities, temperance, justice, and benevolence, and the other attributes of God, to whom we give no epithet. And as we have been taught that he, being good, formed every thing out of shapes less matter for the sake of men, whom we are

assured