Unto these things so very evident and clear, what do the Adversaries object? with what subtleties and distinctions do they defend their Popish Error of Inherent Righteousness? 1Be pleased to hearken; though what they say is fitter for laughter and derision than instruction. And first as touching the distinction, that Paul makes between him that worketh, and him that worketh not; between Mercenary works, and Justification imputed without Works; between Debt and Grace; between the Righteousness of the Law, and the Righteousness of Faith, let us observe how those Sophisters cloud and darken it with their vain janglings. For whereas the Apostle argues on this manner from the Rule of contraries. If it is of grace, then it is not of works; but if it be of works, then it is not of grace, &c. If the Inheritance is by the Law, then it is not of the Promise, &c. And again, 2distinguishing between the Righteousness of the Law, and the Righteousness ⟨p. 479⟩of the Gospel, he so divides the one from the other, that difference appears evident. Of the Righteousness, that comes by the Law, saith the Apostle, the Law it self speaks on this manner; He that 3doth these things shall live in them. But what saith he of the Righteousness that is of Faith? If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus. and believe with thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. What is more evident than this distinction? what words are more perspicuous? But what is there that can be so 4well conceived in the mind, or expressed in words, but it may be wrested by the wrong Interpretations of such men as take delight to set themselves in opposition against the Truth? for thus they 5speak. Are not pious works the gifts of God? Doth not Charity shed abroad in the hearts of the Saints by the Holy Ghost, inflame the minds of Believers, and provoke them to all things that are honest and agreeable to the Will of God? Which Works of Charity, when God crowns and rewards them in us, they are not so much our works, as his gifts; for they are not our works, or performed by any strength of our own, but they are the works of 6God, which we perform by his help, and they should be wholly attributed to his Grace. Whence also they oft-times are called in the Scriptures by the name of Divine Grace. ⟨p. 480⟩As Paul also, bearing witness of himself, says, By the grace of God I am what I am;
Unto these things so very evident and clear, what do the Adversaries object? with what subtilties and distinctions do they defend their Popish Errour of Inherent Righteousness? 1Be pleased to hearken; though what they say is fitter for laughter and derision than instruction. And first as touching the distinction, that Paul makes between him that worketh, and him that worketh not; between Mercenary works, and Iustification imputed without Works; between Debt and Grace; between the Righteousness of the Law, and the Righteousness of Faith, let us observe how those Sophisters cloud and darken it with their vain janglings. For whereas the Apostle argues on this manner from the Rule of contraries. If it is of grace, then it is not of works; but if it be of works, then it is not of grace, &c. If the Inheritance is by the Law, then it is not of the Promise, &c. And again, 2distinguishing between the Righteousness of the Law, and the Righteousness ⟨p. 479⟩of the Gospel, he so divides the one from the other, that difference appears evident. Of the Righteousness, that comes by the Law, saith the Apostle, the Law it self speaks on this manner; He that 3doth these things shall live in them. But what saith he of the Righteousness that is of Faith? If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Iesus. and believe with thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. What is more evident than this distinction? what words are more perspicuous? But what is there that can be so 4well conceived in the mind, or expressed in words, but it may be wrested by the wrong Interpretations of such men as take delight to set themselves in opposition against the Truth? for thus they 5speak. Are not pious works the gifts of God? Doth not Charity shed abroad in the hearts of the Saints by the Holy Ghost, inflame the minds of Believers, and provoke them to all things that are honest and agreeable to the Will of God? Which Works of Charity, when God crowns and rewards them in us, they are not so much our works, as his gifts; for they are not our works, or performed by any strength of our own, but they are the works of 6God, which we perform by his help, and they should be wholly attributed to his Grace. Whence also they oft-times are called in the Scriptures by the name of Divine Grace.
- 1Inherent Righteousness.
- 2Rom. 10. Gal. 3.
- 3Rom. 10.
- 4A Sophistical Pretence.
- 5A Sophistical Objection.
- 6How Grace justifies according to the Opinion of the Papists.
