{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050419.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050419.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050419.htm","text":"Chapter 34.\u2014The Same Continued. On the Works of Unbelievers; Faith is the Initial Principle from Which Good Works Have Their Beginning; Faith is the Gift of God\u2019s Grace.\nHe will perhaps say to this: \u201cIt was not because of his works, but in consequence of his faith, that I said the apostle was worthy of having all those great graces bestowed upon him. His faith deserved this distinction, but not his works, which were not previously good.\u201d Well, then, are we to suppose that faith does not work? Surely faith does work in a very real way, for it \u201cworketh by love.\u201d 1706 Preach up, however, as much as you like, the works of unbelieving men, we still know how true and invincible is the statement of this same apostle: \u201cWhatsoever is not of faith is sin.\u201d 1707 The very reason, indeed, why he so often declares that righteousness is imputed to us, not out of our works, but our faith, whereas faith rather works through love, is that no man should think that he arrives at faith itself through the merit of his works; for it is faith which is the beginning whence good works first proceed; since (as has already been stated) whatsoever comes not p. 199 from faith is sin. Accordingly, it is said to the Church, in the Song of Songs: \u201cThou shalt come and pass by from the beginning of faith.\u201d 1708 Although, therefore, faith procures the grace of producing good works, we certainly do not deserve by any faith that we should have faith itself; but, in its bestowal upon us, in order that we may follow the Lord by its help, \u201cHis mercy has prevented us.\u201d 1709 Was it we ourselves that gave it to us? Did we ourselves make ourselves faithful? I must by all means say here, emphatically: \u201cIt is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves.\u201d 1710 And indeed nothing else than this is pressed upon us in the apostle\u2019s teaching, when he says: \u201cFor I declare, through the grace that is given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.\u201d 1711 Whence, too, arises the well-known challenge: \u201cWhat hast thou that thou didst not receive?\u201d 1712 inasmuch as we have received even that which is the spring from which everything we have of good in our actions takes its beginning.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Work on the Pro...","type":"page"}