Of free justification

And therefore that they may not faint in their minds, but proceed with the greater courage in their undertaken Warfare, rewards are showed to them as certain prizes, and recompenses of Victory, to stir up their minds; whereby the most Gracious Father may mitigate the crosses of his own Servants, and comfort them in their Sufferings, with proposing hope of Rewards.

And therefore that they may not faint in their minds, but proceed with the greater courage in their undertaken Warfare, rewards are shewed to them as certain prizes, and recompenses of Victory, to stir up their minds; whereby the most Gracious Father may mitigate the crosses of his own Servants, and comfort them in their Sufferings, with proposing hope of Rewards.

And hence is that frequent mention of Reward and Recompenses in the Scriptures. Not that those things ¹which the Saints suffer in this life, are worthy of rewards.

1. 1Ro. 8.

For the sufferings of this time are not worthy of the glory that shall be revealed in us: But because it so seemed good to the Clemency of God, to esteem those Merits of ours which are none, as if they were Merits indeed, and to Crown them, as if they were very great, which deserve no grace at all. For who hath ⟨p. 247⟩thanked a Servant, as the Gospel Witnesses for the Service, which he owed to his Master after he did his Commands? And would not rather have punished him if he had not done them? But if he find any praise or reward beyond his Merit, he hath cause to give thanks to his Master, but not to boast of