"And that we may begin with what we deem most seasonable, I presume, dearest brethren, that both you and I, and all else besides who have put their faith and hope in Christ, do, and have done so, for this one reason, viz., that they may obtain salvation for themselves and their souls--not a salvation which is mortal, and will quickly perish, but one which is ever-during and immortal, which is truly attainable only in heaven, and by no means on earth. Our task, accordingly, is thus divided--having first laid the foundation of faith, we must thereafter labor here in order that we may rest yonder; we must cast seed into the earth, that we may afterward be able to reap in heaven; and in whatever works, or whatever studies we have exercised ourselves here, may ultimately obtain similar and fit fruits of our works and labors in another life. And since the way of Christ is arduous, and the method of leading a life conformable to His laws and precepts very difficult (because we are enjoined to withdraw our minds from the contamination of earthly pleasures, and fix them on this one object--to despise the present good which we have in our hands, and aspire to the future, which we see not), still of such value to each of us is the salvation of himself and of his soul, that we must bring our minds to decline nothing, however harsh, and endure everything, however laborious, that, setting before ourselves the one hope of our salvation, we may at length, through many toils and anxieties (the clemency and mercy of God always taking precedence of our doings), attain to that stable and ever-during salvation."
If you were reading this quotation (despite its long-windedness), while nodding and smiling, then you ought to be deeply concerned, because the quotation is from a letter by Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto, written and delivered in March, 1539 to Geneva, with the intent to persuade the Genevans to forsake the Protestant Reformation and return to Rome. Although Sadoleto wrote in a very roundabout fashion, he is essentially teaching here that those who believe in Jesus Christ do not have eternal salvation while on earth, but only *may* obtain it in heaven "at length, through many toils and anxieties". To put it more simply, he is denying justification by faith alone (no believer on earth may be assured of possessing eternal life), and a conditional salvation which depends upon our works, rather than upon Christ's work alone.
But see how deceptive he is! He even includes phrases which we might consider Calvinistic in another context, namely, that grace always comes first. But for Sadoleto, this is a universal prevenient grace (he claims in the same letter that the whole human race has been regenerated--despite Rome's teaching which usually limits this to those who have been baptized), which is not effectual by itself, but ultimately depends upon us, and in fact fails for the majority of those to whom it is supposedly given. For a Calvinist, grace indeed comes first, but not so that it depends upon what comes after, but so that it infallibly produces what comes after. The doctrine of irresistible grace teaches us that God's grace so powerfully works in us, effectually changing our heart and innermost desires, so that we actually will and do good works. Yet not so that we attain salvation by these works, as if we did not yet possess it! In fact, these good works are evidence that we have already received the gift of eternal salvation.
Sadoleto claims that salvation which is "ever-during and immortal" is "truly attainable only in heaven", whereas on earth only a "mortal" salvation which "will quickly perish" is possible. For Sadoleto, the place of works is to build on a "foundation of faith" in order to attain eternal life in heaven. But God's word teaches us:
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
Notice the present tense, as the Lord Jesus Christ emphasized:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)
Eternal life is a present possession for believers on earth, not something to work towards maybe one day attaining in heaven. We believe because we have been given this life, and we necessarily do good works out of that true and living faith:
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
What then is the "faith" that Sadoleto speaks about? It is not a true knowledge of God in Jesus Christ with the confident assurance that He is my Saviour who has paid for and forgiven all my sins, and given me eternal life. Instead Sadoleto's idea of faith is like his idea of hope--uncertain and anxious, the very opposite of what true faith and hope is.
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (II Timothy 1:12)
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2)
In short, this quotation from Sadoleto is utterly antithetical to the true Gospel, and represents the false religion of salvation by works, rather than Christianity which teaches salvation by the work of Christ alone. Is there then no place for works (as Sadoleto would claim against those who teach justification by faith alone)? There certainly is a place for the good works which flow from the good root of this living faith. These good works certainly enrich the life which we now possess in a virtuous cycle, as they are pleasing to God (being cleansed of all impurities by the blood of Christ) and bless, encourage, and edify our fellow saints, and they are graciously and abundantly rewarded in this life and the next.
Good works are even necessary as we walk along the way to heaven (as necessary as the bud unfolding into the flower in springtime). And God has ordained them so that we *will* walk in them; He does not depend upon us or our works for His unchangeable purposes, though He uses various means so that we walk in these works (especially admonitions and exhortations in the preaching). But we do not attain to heaven and eternal life by these works. Although we await the gracious rewards both in this life and the next, we already have eternal life, and we are already seated in heavenly places in Christ:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:4-10)
