Thank you for your considerate and thoughtful reply, you have given me food for thought, even though I consider myself a traditionalist, it is a new position for me, and so it is important for me to understand why others are not, I have been studying traditional Catholic apologetics (pre-VII) for the past half year, in my small book group we are really having a great time struggling with new/old concepts, and also challenging each other with different points of you, there is so much to learn, thank you again for taking the time to share your view... Blessings, HK
Thanks. For more debate on this issue i would recommend such resources as the Beggars All blog, William Webster's site, the Reformation500 site, and James White's Vintage site on Roman Catholicism.
The redeemed have come to God as souls damned for their works - not saved because of them - and destitute of any means or merit whereby they may escape their just and eternal punishment in Hell Fire and gain eternal life with God. And with contrite heart have cast their whole-hearted repentant faith upon the mercy of God in Christ, trusting the risen Divine Lord Jesus to save them by His sinless shed blood. (Rm. 3:9 - 5:1) And whose faith is thus counted as righteousness, but it is a faith that will follow Him.