A Golden Chain

The Papists hold (as the writings of the learned among them teach) that a man being in the state of grace, may not only keep all the commandments of the law, and thereby deserve his own salvation: but also go beyond the law and do works of supererogation which the law requireth not: as to perform the vow of single life, and the vow of regular obedience, &c. And by this means (they say) men deserve a greater degree of glory then the law can afford. Of perfection they make two kinds: one they call necessary perfection, which is the fulfilling of the law in every commandment, whereby eternal life is deserved. The second, is profitable perfection, when men do not only such things as the law requires, but over and besides, they make certain vows, and perform certain other duties which the law enjoins not: for the doing whereof they shall be rewarded with a greater measure of glory, then the law designeth. This they make plain by comparison: Two soldiers fight in the field under one and the same captain: the one only keeps his standing, and thereby deserves his pay: the other in keeping of his place, doth also win the enemies standard; or do some other notable exploit: now this man besides his pay deserves some greater reward. And thus (say they) it is with all true Catholics in the state of grace: they that keep the law shall have life eternal: but they that do more then the law, as works of supererogation, shall be crowned with greater glory. This is their doctrine. But we on the contrary teach, that albeit we are to strive to a perfection as much as we can, yet no man can fulfil the law of God in this life: much less do works of supererogation: for the confirmation whereof, these reasons may be used. I. In the moral law two things are commanded. First the love of God and man. Secondly, the manner of this love: now the manner of loving God, is to love him with all our heart and strength. Luk. 10.27. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy thought, &c. As Bernard said, The measure of loving god, is to love him without measure, and that is to love him with the greatest perfection of love that can befall a creature. Hence it follows that in loving God, no man can possibly do more then the law requireth:

The Papists hold (as the writings of the learned among them teach) that a man beeing in the state of grace, may not onely keep all the commandements of the lawe, and thereby deserue his owne saluation: but also goe beyonde the lawe and doe workes of supererrogation which the lawe requireth not: as to performe the vowe of single life, and the vow of regular obedience, &c. And by this meanes (they say) men deserue a greater degree of glorie then the lawe can affoard. Of perfection they make two kinds: one they call necessarie perfection, which is the fulfilling of the lawe in euery commandement, whereby eternall life is deserued. The second, is profitable perfection, when men doe not onely such things as the law requires, but ouer and besides, they make certain vowes, and performe certaine other duties which the law inioynes not: for the doing whereof they shall bee rewarded with a greater measure of glory, then the lawe designeth. This they make plaine by comparison: Two souldiers fight in the fielde vnder one and the same captaine: the one onely keepes his standing, and thereby deserues his paie: the other in keeping of his place, doth also winne the enemies standard; or doe some other notable exploit: now this man besides his pay deserues some greater reward. And thus (say they) it is with all true Catholikes in the state of grace: they that keep the law shall haue life eternall: but they that doe more then the lawe, as workes of supererrogation, shall be crowned with greater glorie. This is their doctrine. But we on the contrarie teach, that albeit we are to striue to a perfection as much as we can, yet no man can fulfill the lawe of God in this life: much lesse doe workes of supererrogation: for the confirmation whereof, these reasons may be vsed. I. In the morall lawe two things are commanded. First the loue of God and mā. Secondly, the manner of this loue: nowe the manner of louing God, is to loue him with all our heart and strength.