purge the soul from the infection and filthy spots of sin. The same lesson doth the Holy Ghost also teach in sundry places of Scripture, saying, Mercifulness and alms-giving purgeth from all sins, and delivereth from death, and suffereth not the soul to come into darkness. A great confidence may they have before the high God, that show mercy and compassion to them that are afflicted. The wise preacher, the Son of Sirach, confirmeth the same, when he saith, 'That as water quencheth burning fire, even so mercy and alms resisteth and reconcileth sins.' And sure it is, that mercifulness quaileth the heat of sins so much, that they shall not take hold upon man to hurt him; or if ye have by any infirmity or weakness been touched and annoyed with them, straightways shall mercifulness wipe and wash away, as salves and remedies to heal their sores and grievous diseases. And thereupon that holy father Cyprian taketh good occasion to exhort earnestly to the merciful works of giving alms and helping the poor, and then he admonisheth to consider how wholesome and profitable it is to relieve the needy, and help the afflicted, by the which we may purge our sins, and heal our wounded souls."
The following additional extracts further prove the Nestorians to believe, 1st, That God's mercy in Christ is the procuring cause of salvation to mankind. 2nd, That faith in Him justifies. 3rd, That lively faith is inseparable from good works. 4th, That God is pleased with our good works. 5th, That works in order to be good must spring from a lively faith, or, in other words, that the belief of the heart must be evinced by the confession of the life. And, lastly, that without good works no man can be saved.
§ 1. "Let us all bring forth the pure fruits of repentance towards Christ, Who is God over all, and by prayer, fasting, alms-giving, and mercy to the poor, let us seek mercy from the righteous Judge, through whose abundant mercies alone we become worthy to ascribe praise unto Him, that He may forgive us our trespasses and sins." From the service appointed in the Khudhra for the mid-Wednesday in Lent.
§ 2. "The poor in spirit are those who do not boast of their riches, nor of their power, nor of their knowledge, nor of their good works." From the Warda, "on the Beatitudes."
