For as it is a free Gift in regard of the Value and quoad rem, so that Gift is a Reward in regard of the Order of Conveyance, and tenor of the Donation, and the moral capacity of the Receiver, which men call Merit.
10. That we cannot (per impotentiam voluntariam moralem) perform the Condition, without Divine Grace, is nothing against the Tenor of the Donation, nor the nature of the Relation of a Reward.
11. But Reward and Merit in this case are furthest from that of Commutation, and leaveth least to man to boast of.
12. Yet may he truly glory in the effects of Grace with thankfulness to God, as Paul did, 2 Cor. 1. 11, 12. that in simplicity and godly sincerity, &c. and 2 Tim. 4. 8. that he had fought a good fight, &c. And he may justify his sincerity with Job, chap. 13. 15, 16. And Christ will say, Well done good and faithful servant, &c. Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he knoweth me, (saith the Lord,) &c. And Paul would rather dye, than any should make his glorying void, as to his free preaching the Gospel.
13. And it is very false that in this sense a Christian is not bound to trust to his Faith, Repentance, Love, Obedience, only in their own place and office assigned them by God; but no further: As we may trust to the Bible, Preacher, Parents, so to hearing, reading, praying, &c. for their proper part: else we shall take them all to be in vain. Are they Means, or no Means? If Means, they must be judged and trusted as they are, and no further: And people are not to be frightened from necessary truth, by putting an ill sense upon words.
14. And though here be nothing of Commutative Justice, yet there is that which Justifieth the name of Wages used analogically in the Scriptures: Because Love in a Father maketh a Child's interest to be partly his own; and the Pleasure of his Will, is that to God who is Love it self and delighteth in his Children's good, which Profit is to a humane proprietor.
And now I will proceed with you in my Questions.
Quest. 9. Do you think that Papists or Arminians do believe, that either Man, or Angel, or Christ can merit of God by Profiting him, in Commutative Justice? Or that it is possible for any creature to have any Good which is not the free gift of God? supposing man a free agent in his duty.
For as it is a free Gift in regard of the Value and quoad rem, so that Gift is a Reward in regard of the Order of Conveyance, and tenour of the Donation, and the moral capacity of the Receiver, which men call Merit.
10. That we cannot (per impotentiam voluntariam moralem) perform the Condition, without Divine Grace, is nothing against the Tenour of the Donation, nor the nature of the Relation of a Reward.
11. But Reward and Merit in this case are furthest from that of Commutation, and leaveth least to man to boast of.
12. Yet may he truly glory in the effects of Grace with thankfulness to God, as Paul did, 2 Cor. 1. 11, 12. that in simplicity and godly sincerity, &c. and 2 Tim. 4. 8. that he had fought a good fight, &c. And he may justifie his sincerity with Job, chap. 13. 15, 16. And Christ will say, Well done good and faithful servant, &c. Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he knoweth me, (saith the Lord,) &c. And Paul would rather dye, than any should make his glorying void, as to his free preaching the Gospel.
13. And it is very false that in this sense a Christian is not bound to trust to his Faith, Repentance, Love, Obedience, only in their own place and office assigned them by God; but no further: As we may trust to the Bible, Preacher, Parents, so to hearing, reading, praying, &c. for their proper part: else we shall take them all to be in vain. Are they Means, or no Means? If Means, they must be judged and trusted as they are, and no further: And people are not to be frightned from necessary truth, by putting an ill sense upon words.
14. And though here be nothing of Commutative Justice, yet there is that which Justifieth the name of Wages used analogically in the Scriptures: Because Love in a Father maketh a Childs interest to be partly his own; and the Pleasure of his Will, is that to God who is Love it self and delighteth in his Childrens good, which Profit is to a humane proprietor.
And now I will proceed with you in my Questions.
Quest. 9. Do you think that Papists or Arminians do believe, that either Man, or Angel, or Christ can merit of God by Profiting him, in Commutative Justice? Or that it is possible for any creature to have any Good which is not the free gift of God? supposing man a free agent in his duty.
