54. But with reference to this passage they
allege that he who believes in Christ ought to keep His sayings, and
say that it is written in the Lord’s own words: “I am
come a light into this world, that whosoever believeth in Me may not
abide in darkness. And if any man hear My word and keep it, I
judge him not.” S. John xii. 47 [not exact]. He judges
not, and do you judge? He says, “that whosoever believeth
on Me may not abide in darkness,” that is, that if he be in
darkness he may not remain therein, but may amend his error, correct
his fault, and keep My commandments, for I have said, “I will not
the death of the wicked, but the correction.” Ezek. xxiii. 11. I said above that he that believeth
on Me is not judged, and I keep to this: “For I am not come
to judge the world, but that the world may be saved through
Me.” S. John iii. 17. I pardon
willingly, I quickly forgive, “I will have mercy rather than
sacrifice,” Hosea vi. 6. because by
sacrifice the just is rendered more acceptable, by mercy the sinner is
redeemed. “I come not to call the righteous but
sinners.” S. Matt. ix. 13.
Sacrifice was under the Law, in the Gospel is mercy. “The
Law was given by Moses, grace by Me.” S. John i. 17.