Merit and Justification in Le baston de la foy of Guy de Brès (Chapter 6)

Abstract

This article builds on two earlier studies, in the light of the new critical edition of Guy de Brès’ Le baston de la foy. It examines the sources of the 62 patristic extracts found in chapter 6, on the theme of merit and justification. 41 of these have been taken from the 1551 French translation of Bodius’s Unio dissidentium and a further extract is also found there, but in a very different translation. Ten extracts have been taken from the 1553 French translation of Calvin’s Institutio and a further extract is also found there, but in a very different translation. The critical edition has located French sources for four of the eleven remaining extracts; the other seven have yet to be traced. Also examined are the doctrinal claims made by de Brès for patristic teaching on justification and merit. These are modest and generally realistic.