Quest. But how can God approve of them, if they be evil? Ans. We must consider good works two ways: First, in themselves, as they are compared with the law, and the rigour thereof, and so they are sins, because they answer not to that perfection, which the law requireth: for there be two degrees of sins; Rebellions, which are actions flatly against the law: and Defects, when a man doth those things that the law commandeth, but yet faileth in the manner of doing, and so are mans very best works sins. Secondly, consider good works, as done by a person regenerate, and reconciled to God in Christ, and so God accepts of them; for in Christ the wants thereof are covered. But here we must take heed of the Romish doctrine,1 which teacheth that good works are so far forth good, that there is no sin in them: their reasons are many to prove this point, but they have been heretofore confuted: First, they say, good works have God for their Author, and therefore are perfectly good? Answ. This were true, if he alone were the author of them; but man is another author thereof, from whom they take their imperfection. They say again, that here they are called good, but if they had any sin in them, they should be called evil; for every sin is perfectly evil? Ans. ⟨p. 65⟩Where sin is unremitted, it is perfectly evil; but when it is pardoned in our Saviour Christ, it is as though it were not. Thirdly, they object, that if good works be sinful, then they must not be done; and hereupon they say, that by our doctrine men are bound to abstain from all good works. Answer. That which is evil must not be done, so far forth as it is evil: now good works are not simply and absolutely evil; they are good in themselves, and in us in part, coming from grace: and therefore they must be done, because God requires them at our hands; and for the imperfection of them, we must pray for pardon in our Saviour Christ. And here by the way, we may justly tax the proud doctrine of the Papists, who teach, that men may be justified by good works; when as the best works of any man, in this life, are tainted with sin, and are far unanswerable2 to that perfection, which the law requireth: we must be of a far other mind; namely, that for our best works, God may justly condemn us; because we have not done them as we ought:
Quest. But how can God approoue of them, if they be euill? Ans. We must consider good workes two waies: First, in themselues, as they are compared with the law, and the rigour thereof, and so they are sins, because they answer not to that perfection, which the law requireth: for there bee two degrees of sinnes; Rebellions, which are actions flatly against the lawe: and Defects, when a man doth those things that the lawe commandeth, but yet faileth in the manner of doing, and so are mans very best workes sinnes. Secondly, consider good workes, as done by a person regenerate, and reconciled to God in Christ, and so God accepts of them; for in Christ the wants thereof are couered. But here wee must take heed of the Romish doctrine,1 which teacheth that good workes are so farre forth good, that there is no sinne in them: their reasons are many to prooue this point, but they haue beene heretofore confuted: First, they say, good workes haue God for their Author, and therefore are perfectly good? Answ. This were true, if he alone were the author of them; but man is another author thereof, from whom they take their imperfection. They say againe, that here they are called good, but if they had any sinne in them, they should be called euill; for euery sinne is perfectly euill? Ans. ⟨p. 65⟩Where sinne is vnremitted, it is perfectly euill; but when it is pardoned in our Sauiour Christ, it is as though it were not. Thirdly, they obiect, that if good workes be sinnefull, then they must not bee done; and hereupon they say, that by our doctrine men are bound to abstaine from all good workes. Answer. That which is euill must not be done, so farre forth as it is euill: now good workes are not simply and absolutely euill; they are good in themselues, and in vs in part, comming from grace: and therefore they must be done, because God requires them at our hands; and for the imperfection of them, wee must pray for pardon in our Sauiour Christ. And here by the way, we may iustly taxe the prowd doctrine of the Papists, who teach, that men may bee iustified by good workes; when as the best workes of any man, in this life, are tainted with sinne, and are farre vnanswerable2 to that perfection, which the law requireth: wee must be of a farre other minde; namely, that for our best workes, God may iustly condemne vs; because wee haue not done them as we ought:
- 1Bellar. de Justif. l. 4. •. 15, •7.Bellar. de Iustif. l. 4. •. 15, •7.
- 2I••• •. 4. •
