18. Whence also the just of
old, before the Incarnation of the Word, in this faith of Christ,
and in this true righteousness, (which thing Christ is unto us,)
were justified; believing this to come which we believe come: and
they themselves by grace were saved through faith, not of
themselves, but by the gift of God, not of works, lest haply they
should be lifted up.2679
For their good works did not come
before
God’s
mercy, but followed it. For to them was it said, and
by them written, long ere
Christ was come in the
flesh, “I will
have
mercy on whom I will have
mercy, and I will show
compassion on
whom I will have
compassion.”
2680
From which words of
God the
Apostle Paul, should so long after say; “It is not therefore of
him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of
God that showeth
mercy.” It is also their own voice, long ere
Christ was come in
the
flesh, “My
God, His
mercy shall prevent me.”
2681
How indeed
could they be aliens from the
faith of
Christ, by whose
charity
even
Christ was fore-
announced unto us; without the
faith of Whom,
not any of
mortals either hath been, or is, or ever shall be able
to be,
righteous? If then, being already just, the
Apostles were
elected by
Christ, they would have first chosen Him, that just men
might be chosen, because without Him they
could not be just. But
it was not so: as Himself saith to them, “Not ye have chosen Me,
but I have chosen you.” Of which the
Apostle John speaks, “Not
that we loved God, but that He loved us.”
2682
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