A Golden Chain

The first shall be taken from the properties and conditions that must be in a work meritorious, and they are four. I. A man must do it of himself, and by himself: for if it be done by another, the merit doeth not properly belong to the doer. II. A man must do it of his own freewill and pleasure, not of due debt: for when we do that which we are bound to do, we do no more but our duty. III. The work must be done to the profit of another, who thereupon must be bound to repay the like. IV. The reward and the work must be in proportion equal, for if the reward be more then the work, it is not a reward of desert, but a gift of good will. Hence follows a notable conclusion: That Christs manhood considered a part from his Godhead, cannot merit at Gods hand• though it be more excellent every way then all both men and angels. For being thus considered, it doth nothing of it self, but by grace received from the godhead: though it also be without measure. Secondly Christs manhood is a creature, and in that regard bound to do whatsoever it doth. Thirdly, Christ as man cannot give any thing to God, but that which he received from God: therefore cannot the manhood properly by it self merit, but only as it is personally united unto the godhead of the Sonne. And if this be so, then much less can any mere man, or any angel merit: yea it is a madness ⟨p. 942⟩to think, that either our actions or persons should be capable of any merit whereby we might attain to life eternal.

The first shall bee taken from the properties and conditions that must bee in a worke meritorious, and they are foure. I. A man must doe it of himselfe, and by himselfe: for if it be done by another, the merit doeth not properly belong to the doer. II. A man must doe it of his owne freewill and pleasure, not of due debt: for when wee doe that which wee are bound to doe, wee doe no more but our dutie. III. The worke must bee done to the profit of another, who thereupon must be bound to repay the like. IV. The reward and the work must be in proportion equall, for if the reward be more then the work, it is not a reward of desert, but a gift of good will. Hence followes a notable conclusion: That Christs manhood considered a part from his Godhead, cannot merit at Gods hand though it be more excellent euery way then all both men and angels. For beeing thus considered, it doth nothing of it selfe, but by grace receiued from the godhead: though it also be without measure. Secondly Christs manhood is a creature, and in that regard bound to doe whatsoeuer it doth. Thirdly, Christ as man cannot giue any thing to God, but that which hee receiued from God: therfore cānot the manhood properly by it selfe merit, but onely as it is personally vnited vnto the godhead of the Sonne. And if this bee so, then much lesse can any meere man, or any angell merit: yea it is a madnes