"You might as well say that the root of a rose is red, and of a lily white," said No. 3.
"Pardon me, Reding," said Freeborn, "it is, as my friend says, an apprehension. An apprehension is a seizing; there is no more holiness in justifying faith, than in the hand's seizing a substance which comes in its way. This is Luther's great doctrine in his 'Commentary' on the Galatians. It is nothing in itself—it is a mere instrument; this is what he teaches, when he so vehemently resists the notion of justifying faith being accompanied by love."
"I cannot assent to that doctrine," said No. 1; "it may be true in a certain sense, but it throws stumbling-blocks in the way of seekers. Luther could not have meant what you say, I am convinced. Justifying faith is always accompanied by love."
"That is what I thought," said Charles.
"That is the Romish doctrine all over," said No. 2; "it is the doctrine of Bull and Taylor."
"Luther calls it, 'venenum infernale,'" said Freeborn.
"It is just what the Puseyites preach at present," said No. 3.
"On the contrary," said No. 1, "it is the doctrine of Melancthon. Look here," he continued, taking his pocketbook out of his pocket, "I have got his words down as Shuffleton quoted them in the Divinity-school the other day: 'Fides significat fiduciam; in fiducidâ inest dilectio; ergo etiam dilectione sumus justi.'"
Three of the party cried "Impossible!" The paper was handed round in solemn silence.
"Calvin said the same," said No. 1 triumphantly.