Father Cotton a Iesuite, the Kings confessour, his two and thirtie demands, to the ministers of France with the answeres added at the end of euerie demand. Also threescore and foure demands proposed to Father Cotton, by way of counter-change. By Peter Moulin, minister of the word of God in the church of Paris. Printed according to the French copie, printed in Paris. Also a new late chalenge, by a learned diuine, to all Papists, in 24. other Popish articles.

XXV. DEMAND. That with the grace of God we can merit nothing.

ANSVVERE.

THis Demand answereth it selfe: For whatsoeuer is of Grace, is not of merit, saith S. Paul, Rom. 11. vers. 6. If it be of grace, it is no more of workes, or else were grace no more grace. To merit by grace, agreeth as well as to be frozen with heat: or to be wet with drougth. 1. For how may we merit by grace, considering that it is grace that keepeth our good workes from being me∣ritorious? that is to say, that they proceede from the grace of God. 2. Againe: Saluation is a gift, Rom. 6. vers. 23. Ephes. 2. vers. 8. and 9. Then is it not obtained by merits. 3. And Saluation is an Inheritance belong∣ing to the faithfull, for as much as they be the children of God, as saith Saint Paul, Rom. 8. The spirit of God beareth witnesse with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if we be children, saith he, then are we heyres: But no man by merits purchaseth that inheritance which belongeth vnto him as a Sonne. Moreouer, Iesus Christ saith, Luke 17.10. When we haue done all that wee are commanded, yet are we vnprofitable seruants: but what can be the merit of an vnprofitable seruant? Admit also that our good workes were as perfect, as they be mixed with infirmitie, and that wee were more righteous then the Angels: vvhat goodnesse vvere there in all this, vvhich also were not the gift of God? and what merit can there be in offering to God that which is alreadie his, and from him? Wee confesse that GOD rewar∣deth good workes: but there be rewards that are not deserued. The Father will giue his Sonne a new coat, because he made an A. or a B. yet not in regard

of his Sonnes merit, but of his owne promise, or for that he is his Sonne. But by the way we are to note, that this inquirer doth disguise our opinion, and altereth the Controuersie: for our difference is not, whether it be possible to merit with the grace of God; but whether the holy Scripture doth teach vs that we must merit, or purchase saluation by our merits.

Notes

• Here vpon let vs heare Bellar∣mines Confessi∣on, lib. 2 de Gratia, cap. 14. Deus constituit in predestinatione regnum dare cer∣tis hominibus quos abs{que} vlla operum praeuisio∣ne dilexit: ta∣men simul consti∣tuit vt quo ad executionem via perueniendi ad Regnum essent bona opera.