My answer is, First, that merit cannot be founded upon Scripture;1 and secondly, it cannot be founded upon this Scripture. For the first, we cannot merit for many reasons in Scripture: first, we are not our own men, we are so tied unto God that gave us being in Nature and Grace, that when we have done all we can do, our own mouths must say we are but unprofitable Servantsc. Secondly, all our sufficiency to do any good is of God, not from our selvesd. Thirdly, God gains nothing by us. If thou be righteous, what givest thou to him? or, what receiveth he at thy handse? Fourthly, men talk of their well-doing, but what shall become of their sins? If the Papists will first go to hell for their sins, and stay all that eternity there, then afterwards if God create another eternity, they may have hearing to relate what good they have done: the curse of the Law will be first served; the punishment of Adams one sin barred the plea for any reward for former righteousness. Fifthly, what comparison can there be between the glory of Heaven, and our works on earthf? Sixthly, it is worthy to be observed, that it is mercy in God to set his love upon them that keep his Commandments, Exod. 20. Command. 2. Seventhly, we are so far from meriting, that we are taught to pray God to give us our daily bread, we have not a bit of bread of our own earning. Eighthly, the Sanctification of the most righteous is but begun in this life. Lastly, unto all these Reasons add the further Testimony of these Scriptures, Dan. 9.9. Rom. 4.5. and 11.9. 1. Cor. 4.4. Phil. 3.8.9.
My answere is, First, that merit cannot be founded vpon Scripture;1 and secondly, it cannot bee founded vpon this Scripture. For the first, we cannot merit for many reasons in Scripture: first, wee are not our owne men, wee are so tyed vnto God that gaue vs beeing in Nature and Grace, that when wee haue done all wee can doe, our owne mouthes must say wee are but vnprofitable Seruantsc. Secondly, all our sufficiencie to doe any good is of God, not from our seluesd. Thirdly, God gaines nothing by vs. If thou be righteous, what giuest thou to him? or, what receiueth hee at thy handse? Fourthly, men talke of their well-doing, but what shall become of their sinnes? If the Papists will first goe to hell for their sinnes, and stay all that eternity there, then afterwards if God create another eternity, they may haue hearing to relate what good they haue done: the curse of the Law will be first serued; the punishment of Adams one sinne barred the plea for any reward for former righteousnesse. Fiftly, what comparison can there be betweene the glory of Heauen, and our workes on earthf? Sixtly, it is worthy to bee obserued, that it is mercy in God to set his loue vpon them that keepe his Commandements, Exod. 20. Command. 2. Seauenthly, wee are so farre from meriting, that we are taught to pray God to giue vs our daily bread, wee haue not a bit of bread of our owne earning. Eightly, the Sanctification of the most righteous is but begunne in this life. Lastly, vnto all these Reasons adde the further Testimony of these Scriptures, Dan. 9.9. Rom. 4.5. and 11.9. 1. Cor. 4.4. Phil. 3.8.9.
- 1Against merit of works.Against merit of workes.
- cLuke 17.
- d2 Cor. 3.5. Phil. 2.13.
- eJob 35.7.Iob 35.7.
- fRom. 8.18.
