A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.

III. Difference.

The third difference about iustification is concerning this point, namely,

how farreforth good workes are required thereto.

The doctrine of the Church of Rome is, that there be two kinds of iustifi∣cation: the first and the second, as I haue said. The first is, when one of an e∣uill man is made a good man: and in this, workes are wholly excluded, it bee∣ing wholly of grace. The second is, when a man of a iust man is made more iust. And this they will haue to proceede from workes of grace: for (say they) as a man when he is once borne can by eating and drinking make himselfe a bigger man, though he could not at the first make himselfe a man: euen so, a sinner hauing his first iustification, may afterward by grace make himselfe more iust. Therefore they hold these two things: I. that good works are me∣ritorious causes of the second iustification, which they tearme Actual: II. that good works are means to increase the first iustificatiō, which they cal habitual.

Now let vs see how farforth we must ioyne with them in this point. Our consent therefore stands in three conclusions.

• I. That good workes done by them that are iustified doe please God, and are approoued of him, and therefore haue a reward.
• II. Good workes are necessarie to saluation two waies: first, not as causes thereof, either conuersant, adiuvant, or procreant: but onely as consequents of faith: in that they are inseparable companions and fruits of that faith, which is indeede necessarie to saluation. Secondly they are as necessarie as markes in a way, and as the way it selfe directing vs vnto eternall life.
• III. We hold and beleeue, that the righteous man, is in some sort iustified by works: for so the holy Ghost speaketh plainely and truly, Iam. 2.21. That Abraham was iustified by workes.

Thus farre we ioyne with them: and the very difference is this. They say, we are iustified by workes, as by causes thereof: we say, that we are iustified by workes as by signes and fruits of our iustification before God, and no o∣therwise: and in this sense must the place of S. Iames be vnderstood, that A∣braham was iustified, that is, declared and made manifest to be iust indeed by his obedience, and that euen before God. Now that our doctrine is the truth, it will appeare by reasons on both parts.