I. The Church of Rome lays down her decision, respecting what she calls Works of Satisfaction, in manner following.
So great is the abundance of divine munificence, that we are able to make satisfaction to God the Father through Jesus Christ, not only by punishments either spontaneously undergone by ourselves for the avenging of sin or imposed upon us by the will of the priest according to the measure of our offence, but also (what is the greatest argument of love) by temporal flagellations inflicted of God and by us patiently endured. [40a]
II. Thus speaks the Roman Church: let us now hear the declarations of Holy Scripture.
1. When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do. [40b]
2. Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one, a Pharisee; and the other, a Publican. The Pharisee stood, and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican. I fast twice in the week: I give tythes of all that I possess. And the Publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven; but smote upon his breast, saying: God be merciful to me a sinner! I tell you: This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one, that exalteth himself, shall be abased; and he, that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. [40c]
3. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude: that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law. [40d]
4. If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God: and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now, to him that worketh, is the reward reckoned, not of grace, but of debt. But, to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [40e]
5. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. [41a]
6. They, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. [41b]
7. We are all as an unclean thing: and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. [41c]