The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

6. Some contend that the Apostle excludes only Works wrought before believing, in the strength of our own Wills and Natural Abilities, without the aid of Grace. Works they suppose required by the Law are such as we perform by the Direction and Command of the Law, alone. But the Law of Faith requireth Works in the strength of the supplies of Grace, which are not excluded. This is that which the most learned and judicious of the Church of Rome do now generally betake themselves unto. Those who amongst us plead for Works in our Justification, as they use many distinctions to ⟨p. 408⟩explain their Minds, and free their Opinion from a co-incidence with that of the Papists; so as yet, they deny the name of Merit, and the thing it self in the sense of the Church of Rome, as it is renounced likewise by all the Socinians. Wherefore they make use of the preceding Evasion, that Merit is excluded by the Apostle, and Works only as they are meritorious, although the Apostles plain Argument be that they are excluded because such a Merit as is inconsistent with Grace, is inseparable from their Admission.

But the Roman Church cannot so part with Merit. Wherefore they are to find out a sort of Works to be excluded only, which they are content to part withal as not meritorious. Such are those before described, wrought as they say before believing, and without the aids of Grace; and such they say, are all the Works of the Law. And this they do with some more Modesty and Sobriety, than those amongst us, who would have only external Works and Observances to be intended. For they grant that sundry internal Works, as those of Attrition, sorrow for Sin, and the like, are of this Nature. But the Works of the Law it is they say that are excluded. But this whole Plea, and all the Sophisms wherewith it is countenanced, hath been so discussed and defeated by Protestant Writers of all sorts against Bellarmine and others, as that it is needless to repeat the same things, or to add any thing unto them. And it will be sufficiently evinced of falsehood, in what we shall immediately prove concerning the Law and Works intended by the Apostle. However the Heads of the Demonstration of the Truth to the contrary may be touched on. And (1.) The Apostle excludeth all Works without distinction or exception. And we are not to distinguish where the Law doth not distinguish before us. (2.) All the Works of the Law are excluded, therefore all Works wrought after believing by the aids of Grace, are excluded.