Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 2.djvu/129

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101

CHAPTER XV.

OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF MAN.

"We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings; Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification."—Article XI.

§ 1. "Behold I declare unto you glad tidings: if the thief entered into paradise, how can he who truly believes on the Son be prevented from entering therein?" From the Warda, on "our father Adam."

§ 2. "Two thieves were crucified with Him who is the heavenly treasure: the one on the right hand would not give up thievingj and in his last theft he stole the paradise of Eden when he cried out and besought, saying: 'Remember me, O Lord my Saviour, who forgivest sins,—remember me when Thou comest in Thy kingdom with great glory, with all the holy angels, since I confess that Thou art God.'" From the service appointed in the Khudhra for Easter Eve.

§ 3. "Bear in mind, thou prudent one, how that man was raised from frailty, and how through faith in Christ he has become an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven which passeth not away." From the Khamees, "on Repentance."

§ 4. "None can stand at Thy door and return away empty but he who is without faith. By faith Zaccheus welcomed Thee into his house, and by faith the thief received from Thee the keys of the kingdom. And behold Thy Church now standeth at Thy door and supplicates Thee day and night; accept her, O Lord, for to Thee she lifteth up her voice, and be