Brief Exposition (Stanley) n. 42

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42. BRIEF ANALYSIS

The reason why this faith, which is a faith in one God, is acknowledged and received as truly saving when the former faith in three Gods is rejected is because, until this is done, a faith in one God cannot be seen in its proper aspect. For the faith of the present day is preached as the only saving faith, because it is a faith in one God, and in a Saviour. But there are two aspects to this present day faith, one internal, the other external. The internal is formed from the perception of three Gods; for who perceives or thinks otherwise? Let everyone examine himself. But the external is formed from the confession of one God. Again, who acknowledges or says otherwise? Let everyone examine himself. These two aspects are altogether discordant with each other, so that the external is not acknowledged by the internal; nor is the internal known by the external. Because of this discord and discrepancy when the one is compared with the other, a confused idea of the means of salvation has been conceived and brought forth in the Church. It is otherwise when the internal and external aspects agree, and when they mutually regard and acknowledge each other as a concordant unity. That this is the case when one God in Whom is a Divine Trinity is not only perceived by the mind but also acknowledged by the mouth, is self-evident. Then the dogma concerning the alienation of the Father from the human race is abolished, together with that of His reconciliation, and quite another doctrine results concerning imputation, remission of sins, regeneration and thence salvation. This will be clearly seen in the major work, in the light of reason illuminated by divine truths from the Sacred Scripture. This faith is called a faith united with good works, because without this union it is impossible to have faith in one God.


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