A discourse of the true nature of the Gospel demonstrating that it is no…

I will name one more, the Cardinal Bellarmine, who as he fiercely opposed the Doctrine of Grace, revived by the first Reformers, he earnestly sat himself to assert the Gospel to be a new Law. And as he knew very well, that he could not maintain the Merit of Works and Justification by them, without this Assertion of the Gospel's being a new Law, he begins his fourth Book ⟨p. 73⟩of Justification which is concerning the Righteousness of Works, with eager Endeavours to vindicate this Assertion against the Protestants. Among other things, too long here to relate, he tells us; That^r indeed if we speak of the Grace of the New Testament, the Law is not distinguished from the Gospel in this, that the Law requires Works, but the Gospel doth not require Works: But in that the Law teacheth what is to be done, the Gospel affords Strength to do it. So that according to him, the new Law tho requiring Works, is yet a Law of Grace, because accompanied with Grace.

I will name one more, the Cardinal Bellarmine, who as he fiercely oppos'd the Doctrine of Grace, reviv'd by the first Reformers, he earnestly sat himself to assert the Gospel to be a new Law. And as he knew very well, that he could not maintain the Merit of Works and Justification by them, without this Assertion of the Gospel's being a new Law, he begins his fourth Book ⟨p. 73⟩of Justification which is concerning the Righteousness of Works, with eager Endeavours to vindicate this Assertion against the Protestants. Among other things, too long here to relate, he tells us; That^r indeed if we speak of the Grace of the New Testament, the Law is not distinguish'd from the Gospel in this, that the Law requires Works, but the Gospel doth not require Works: But in that the Law teacheth what is to be done, the Gospel affords Strength to do it. So that according to him, the new Law tho requiring Works, is yet a Law of Grace, because accompanied with Grace.

1. rEt quidem si loquamur de Gratiâ Novi Testamenti, non distinguitur Lex ab Evangelio: Quod Lex requirat opera, Evangelium non requirat opera; sed quod Lex doceat quid sit faciendum, Evangelium praebeat vires ad faciendum. Bellarm. de Justif. lib. 4. cap. 2. pag. 1011. In Tom. 4. Controv. Colon. Agrip. 1619.