19. 2 In fact, in regard to the four theological points just listed, Roman Catholics before the Reformation had exactly the same teachings as Protestants did after it. That is, Catholics had the same teachings regarding the trinity of persons in the Divine, the same teachings regarding original sin, the same teachings regarding the assigning of Christ’s merit, and the same teachings regarding our being justified by believing that we are assigned Christ’s merit; the only difference was that Catholics united that faith to goodwill or good works.
Survey of Teachings of the New Church #43
43. 8 This faith is faith in God the Savior Jesus Christ. In a simple form it is this:
1. There is one God, the divine trinity exists within him, and he is the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Believing in him is a faith that saves.
3. We must abstain from doing things that are evil — they belong to the Devil and come from the Devil.
4. We must do things that are good — they belong to God and come from God.
5. We must do these things as if we ourselves were doing them, but we must believe that they come from the Lord working with us and through us.
