But as touching Charity, and an habitual gift of grace, about which Thomas reasoned so largely, we also detract nothing from it, as we have said before. But this grace hath ⟨p. 336⟩its own degrees and measures, and 1bounds wherein it is contained. For Charity is not given to justify any Man by Working, neither is so great a power of Divine grace, communicated to any Man in this life, as to fulfil all Christian Righteousness in every iota and Title. Though it be certain, that the bounty of God beautifies the Church with many and great Ornaments, yet he doth not cause her to arrive at so great perfection in this World, but she always hath need of the mercy of God, and the Remission of sins. Indeed he preserves his Saints, and enriches and ennobles them, that they never perish, but not so, that they never sin. This fullness of grace, the Father hestowed on his own Son, by a singular prerogative of his Will, that all might receive of his fullness, for God gives not the Spirit to him measure; but he hath not dealt so with others, but he hath given to every Man according to the measure of the Rule, whereby he distributes to us, lest we should glory without measure, or stretch our selves too far above that 2grace, which is given to every Man according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore let no Man arrogate unto himself, that which belongs not to him, but that which belongs to us is this: We know in part (as the Apostle speaks) and we prophesy in part, and now we see through a glass darkly. But when that which is perfect is come, ⟨p. 337⟩that which is in part, shall be done away. Therefore, perfection not being attainable, let us be content with that, whereof we are 3capable, and leave that fullness of perfection, which is void of all sin, to him, to whom only it is due. And let us not be seduced by a foolish persuasion, to conceive a desire of seeming to be that which neither we can be, nor any of our Fore-fathers ever were. Let us look back to the times and manners of Men, let us view the lives of the Patriarchs, Captains, Kings, Prophets, and the greatest Heroes. Of whom no Man can say, that they were strangers to the grace of God: And yet there is not one of them all, in whom Hierom finds not something blame-worthy, in writing to Ctesiphon, and doth not except so much as the Apostles themselves, and the Evangelists:
But as touching Charity, and an habitual gift of grace, about which Thomas reasoned so largely, we also detract nothing from it, as we have said before. But this grace hath ⟨p. 336⟩its own degrees and measures, and 1bounds wherein it is contained. For Charity is not given to justifie any Man by Working, neither is so great a power of Divine grace, communicated to any Man in this life, as to fulfill all Christian Righteousness in every iota and Title. Though it be certain, that the bounty of God beautifies the Church with many and great Ornaments, yet he doth not cause her to arrive at so great perfection in this World, but she always hath need of the mercy of God, and the Remission of sins. Indeed he preserves his Saints, and enriches and ennobles them, that they never perish, but not so, that they never sin. This fulness of grace, the Father hestowed on his own Son, by a singular prerogative of his Will, that all might receive of his fulness, for God gives not the Spirit to him measure; but he hath not dealt so with others, but he hath given to every Man according to the measure of the Rule, whereby he distributes to us, lest we should glory without measure, or stretch our selves too far above that 2grace, which is given to every Man according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore let no Man arrogate unto himself, that which belongs not to him, but that which belongs to us is this: We know in part (as the Apostle speaks) and we prophesie in part, and now we see through a glass darkly. But when that which is perfect is come, ⟨p. 337⟩that which is in part, shall be done away. Therefore, perfection not being attainable, let us be content with that, whereof we are 3capable, and leave that fullness of perfection, which is void of all sin, to him, to whom only it is due. And let us not be seduced by a foolish perswasion, to conceive a desire of seeming to be that which neither we can be, nor any of our Fore-fathers ever were. Let us look back to the times and manners of Men, let us view the lives of the Patriarchs, Captains, Kings, Prophets, and the greatest Heroes. Of whom no Man can say, that they were strangers to the grace of God: And yet there is not one of them all, in whom Hierom finds not something blame-worthy, in writing to Ctesiphon, and doth not except so much as the Apostles themselves, and the Evangelists:
- 1Charity was given to renew us, not to justify us.Charity was given to renew us, not to justifie us.
- 22 Cor. 10. Ephes. 4. 1. Cor. 13.
- 3The Church of God in this life, is never so perfect, but that she hath need of the Mercy of God.
