To the same purpose Elias Cretensis, the interpreter ⟨p. 511⟩of Gregory Nazianzen, writeth thus. *By mercy we ought to understand that reward, which God doth repay unto us. For we as servants do owe virtue, that the best things, and such as are grateful, we should pay and offer unto God as a certain debt: considering that we have nothing, which we have not received from him: and God on the other side, as our Lord and Master, hath pity on us, and doth bestow rather, than repay unto us. yThis therefore is true humility, (saith Anastasius Sinaita or Nicaenus) to do good works, but to account ones self unclean and unworthy of Gods favour, thinking to be saved by his goodness alone. For whatsoever good things we do; we answer not God for the very air alone which we do breathe. And when we have offered unto him all the things that we have, he doth not owe us any reward for all things are his: and none receiving the things that are his own, is bound to give a reward unto them that bring the same unto him. In the book set out by the authority of Charles the Great against Images; zthe Ark of the Covenant is said to signify our Lord and Saviour, in whom alone we have the Covenant of peace with the Father. Over which the Propitiatory is said to be placed: because above the Commandments either of the Law, or of the Gospel, which are founded in him, the mercy of the said Mediator taketh place; by which, not by the works of the Law which we have done, neither willing, nor running, but by his having mercy upon us, we ⟨p. 512⟩are saved. So Ambrosius Ansbertus, expounding that place, Rev. 19.7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give glory to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made her self ready. aIn this, saith he, do we give glory to him; when we do confess, that by no precedent merits of our good deeds, but by his mercy only, we have attained unto so great a dignity. And Rabanus in his Commentaries upon the Lament. of Jeremiah: bLest they should say, Our Fathers were accepted for their merit, and therefore they obtained such great things at the hand of the Lord; he adjoineth, that this was not given to their merits, but because it so pleased God, whose free gift is whatsoever he bestoweth. Haymo writing upon those words, Psalm. 132.10.
To the same purpose Elias Cretensis, the interpreter ⟨p. 511⟩of Gregory Nazianzen, writeth thus. *By mercy we ought to understand that reward, which God doth repay unto us. For wee as servants doe owe vertue, that the best things, and such as are gratefull, wee should pay and offer unto God as a certaine debt: considering that wee haue nothing, which we have not received from him: and God on the other side, as our Lord and Master, hath pitie on us, and doth bestow rather, than repay unto us. yThis therefore is true humilitie, (saith Anastasius Sinaita or Nicaenus) to doe good workes, but to account ones selfe uncleane and unworthy of Gods favour, thinking to be saved by his goodnesse alone. For whatsoever good things we doe; wee answer not God for the very aire alone which we doe breathe. And when we have offered unto him all the things that we have, he doth not owe us any reward for all things are his: and none receiving the things that are his owne, is bound to give a reward unto them that bring the same unto him. In the booke set out by the authoritie of Charles the Great against Images; zthe Arke of the Covenant is said to signifie our Lord and Saviour, in whom alone we have the Covenant of peace with the Father. Over which the Propitiatory is said to be placed: because aboue the Commandements either of the Law, or of the Gospell, which are founded in him, the mercy of the said Mediator taketh place; by which, not by the workes of the Law which we have done, neither willing, nor running, but by his having mercy upon us, we ⟨p. 512⟩are saved. So Ambrosius Ansbertus, expounding that place, Rev. 19.7. Let us be glad and rejoyce, and give glory to him; for the mariage of the Lambe is come, and his wife hath made her selfe readie. aIn this, saith he, doe we give glory to him; when we doe confesse, that by no precedent merits of our good deeds, but by his mercie only, we have attained unto so great a dignitie. And Rabanus in his Commentaries upon the Lament. of Ieremie: bLest they should say, Our Fathers were accepted for their merit, and therefore they obtained such great things at the hand of the Lord; he adjoyneth, that this was not given to their merits, but because it so pleased God, whose free gift is whatsoever he bestoweth. Haymo writing upon those words,
- *Debemus per misericordiam intelligere mercedem illam, quam nobis Deus rependit. Nos enim tanquam servi, virtutèm debemus, ut optima quaeque Deo & grata tanquam debitum quoddam exsolvamus ac offeramus: quippe quum nihil habeamus, quod non ab ipso acceperimu•. Deus autem velut Dominus & herus noster miseretur, nobisque potiùs dona•, quàm rependit. Elijah in Nazianzeni Orat. habit. in elect. Eulalij.Debemus per misericordiam intelligere mercedem illam, quam nobis Deus rependit. Nos enim tanquam servi, virtutèm debemus, ut optima quaeque Deo & grata tanquam debitum quoddam exsolvamus ac offeramus: quippe quum nihil habeamus, quod non ab ipso acceperimu•. Deus autem velut Dominus & herus noster miseretur, nobisque potiùs dona•, quàm rependit. Elias in Nazianzeni Orat. habit. in elect. Eulalij.
- y[Greek or Hebrew]. Anastas quaest. 135.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Anastas quaest. 135.
- zArca foederis secundùm quosdam Dominum & Salvatorem nostrum, in quo solo foedus pacis apud Patrem habemus, designat, &c. Cui propitiatorium superponitur, quia scilicèt legalibus sive evangelicis praeceptis, quae in eo fundata sunt, supereminet misericordia ejusdem mediatoris; per quam non ex operibus legis quae fe•imus nos, neque volentes, neque currentes, sed ejus miseratione salvamur. Opus Carolin. de Imaginib. lib. 1. cap. 15.•Arca foederis secundùm quosdam Dominum & Salvatorem nostrum, in quo solo foedus pacis apud Patrem habemus, designat, &c. Cui propitiatorium superponitur, quia scilicèt legalibus sive euangelicis praeceptis, quae in eo fundata sunt, supereminet misericordia ejusdem mediatoris; per quam non ex operibus legis quae fe•imus nos, neque volentes, neque currentes, sed ejus miseratione salvamur. Opus Carolin. de Imaginib. lib. 1. cap. 15.•
- aIn eo autem damus illi gloriam, quo nullis praecedentibus bonorum actuum meritis, sed solâ nos ejus misericordiâ, ad tantam dignitatē pervenisse fateamur. A•bros. Ansbert. lib. 8. in Apocalypse. c. 19.
