A plain and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…

The meaning of the latter words is as if he should have said, Show thy righteousness, if thou hast any, and I have forgotten it: Stand for thine own worthiness: Recount the meritorious works which thou hast wrought, to be justified thereby: but all will be in vain. And S. Paul doth expressly disclaim all merits of this nature, both for himself, and all his brethren. He saved us (saith he) not by the works of righteousness which we had done, but according to his own mercy.¹

The meaning of the latter words is as if he should haue said, Shew thy righteousnesse, if thou hast any, and I haue forgotten it: Stand for thine owne worthinesse: Recount the meritorious workes which thou hast wrought, to be iustified thereby: but all will be in vaine. And S. Paul doth expresly disclaime all merits of this nature, both for himselfe, and all his brethren. He saued vs (saith he) not by the workes of righteousnesse which we had done, but according to his owne mercy.¹

1. 1Titus 3. 5.

Reasons. 1 First, all mens works, before remission of sins, are nothing else but sins, wherewith the Lord is offended: and can that pacify his anger, which further provokes him to be angry?

Reasons. 1 First, all mens workes, before remission of sinnes, are nothing else but sinnes, wherewith the Lord is offended: and can that pacifie his anger, which further prouokes him to be angry?