A discourse of the saving grace of God

2. If the Condition be our Duty. If such, as when we perform it we do nothing but what we owe, and the Promiser owes nothing to us for doing it; then, if he promise any thing, he promises freely. It is promissio indebita pro opere debito, that is gratuita. That which is not ex debito is gratuito. These are opposed, Rom. 4. 4. That which is no way due, if promised, is freely promised. Now all that is required, is our Duty, we owe it; and for all that we can do, God owes us nothing. Debitum non redit in Deum: Praemium non est divini juris naturalis; his Nature engages him not to reward his Creatures. That which he does this way is of free Will. Deus ad praemium nemini est obligatus. Rom. 11. 35. Eternal Life had not been due to Adam, if he had performed perfect Obedience; it was only the Promise entitled him to it. If not due to him, much less to us; he might vouchsafe no more Reward to us than to the inferior Creatures. And since nothing is due from God, what he bestows or promises, he does it freely. When we have ⟨p. 123⟩done all, we are but unprofitable Servants, we have but done our Duty, we can Challenge no Reward: There is none due, therefore when he Promises any, he does it freely. The Condition being but our Duty, makes nothing due; no more than Reward is due to him that pays his Debts.

2. If the Condition be our Duty. If such, as when we perform it we do nothing but what we owe, and the Promiser owes nothing to us for doing it; then, if he promise any thing, he promises freely. It is promissio indebita pro opere debito, that is gratuita. That which is not ex debito is gratuito. These are opposed, Rom. 4. 4. That which is no way due, if promised, is freely promised. Now all that is required, is our Duty, we owe it; and for all that we can doe, God owes us nothing. Debitum non redit in Deum: Praemium non est divini juris naturalis; his Nature engages him not to reward his Creatures. That which he does this way is of free Will. Deus ad praemium nemini est obligatus. Rom. 11. 35. Eternal Life had not been due to Adam, if he had performed perfect Obedience; it was only the Promise intitled him to it. If not due to him, much less to us; he might vouchsafe no more Reward to us than to the inferiour Creatures. And since nothing is due from God, what he bestowes or promises, he does it freely. When we have