BUT in the mean while, because these things have been already largely discoursed of, there follows after this, that which is next in this Series of causes, that we should 1now examine with the like briefness the Meritorious cause of Justification, which those Men by the Authority of Trent comprehend only, and wholly in Christ. And now what then will those Scribes and Disputers of this World answer ⟨p. 290⟩here? What do the Works of the Just Merit nothing in the sight of God? Do they help nothing towards the obtaining of Righteousness? And where then is that Merit 2de Gongruo and condigno? Where are the Works of Supererogation that are above due? Where is that grace, which the Sacraments confer upon us, ex opere oper ato? By what Argument now will Andrew Vega defend this. Axiom of his? Faith, says he, and other good Works, whereby we are disposed unto grace that makes us acceptable, and whereby we are formally justified, and made acceptable to God, are Meritorious by the way of agreeableness of such grace, and of our Justification, &c. Whence it is evident, that either Christ is not the only Meritorious cause of such grace, or that all the other helps of Merits are of no value. Though in the mean while, I do not deny that the death of Christ is truly Meritorious; but let the adversaries consider diligently what it hath merited: That the spiritual help, say they, of Divine Grace and Charity to perform the Law. might be diffused into us. What then? Dyed Christ for no other cause. but that he might obtain the gift of Charity for Mortal 3Men to perform the Law? Did he not rather dye upon this account, that he might blot out the Hand writing which was against us in the Law, having nailed it to his […], that he might take away the Enmity, and might destroy Death for ever; might dispossess ⟨p. 291⟩the Devil of his Kingdom, that there might be food and sustenance for our hunger; that he might make Principalities and Powers subject to his Triumpham Dominion, that he might take possession of all Power in Heaven and in Earth. What, if the power of Charity to perform the Law is so great, as they preach, could not this Charity otherways get entrance, unless the Son of God dyed? Yea, were not the Patriarchs, Prophets, and many others of the Saints adorned with the same supernatural gifts?
BUT in the mean while, because these things have been already largely discoursed of, there follows after this, that which is next in this Series of causes, that we should 1now examine with the like briefness the Meritorious cause of Iustification, which those Men by the Authority of Trent comprehend only, and wholly in Christ. And now what then will those Scribes and Disputers of this World answer ⟨p. 290⟩here? What do the Works of the Iust Merit nothing in the sight of God? Do they help nothing towards the obtaining of Righteousness? And where then is that Merit 2de Gongruo and condigno? Where are the Works of Supererogation that are above due? Where is that grace, which the Sacraments confer upon us, ex opere oper ato? By what Argument now will Andrew Vega defend this. Axiom of his? Faith, says he, and other good Works, whereby we are disposed unto grace that makes us acceptable, and whereby we are formally justified, and made acceptable to God, are Meritorious by the way of agreeableness of such grace, and of our Iustification, &c. Whence it is evident, that either Christ is not the only Meritorious cause of such grace, or that all the other helps of Merits are of no value. Though in the mean while, I do not deny that the death of Christ is truly Meritorious; but let the adversaries consider diligently what it hath merited: That the spiritual help, say they, of Divine Grace and Charity to perform the Law. might be diffused into us. What then? Dyed Christ for no other cause. but that he might obtain the gift of Charity for Mortal 3Men to perform the Law? Did he not rather dye upon this account, that he might blot out the Hand writing which was against us in the Law, having nailed it to his 〈…〉, that he might take away the Enmity, and might destroy Death for ever; might dispossess ⟨p. 291⟩the Devil of his Kingdom, that there might be food and sustenance for our hunger; that he might make Principalities and Powers subject to his Triumpham Dominion, that he might take possession of all Power in Heaven and in Earth. What, if the power of Charity to perform the Law is so great, as they preach, could not this Charity otherways get entrance, unless the Son of God dyed? Yea, were not the Patriarchs, Prophets, and many others of the Saints adorned with the same supernatural gifts?
- 1In what respect the Meritorious cause of Justification should be placed in Christ.In what respect the Meritorious cause of Iustification should be placed in Christ.
- 2Merits of congruo and condigno Merits of Supererogation that are undue ex opere oper ato.Merits of congruo and condigno Merits of Superrogation that are undue ex opere oper ato.
- 3Ephes. 2. Colos. 2.
