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.
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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Eph. ii. 8, 9
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Ex. xxxiii. 19
;
Rom. ix.
15, 16
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Ps. lix. 10
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1 John iv. 10