The Protestant religion truely stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter ; prepared for the press some time before his death ; whereunto is added, by way of preface, some account of the learned author, by Mr. Danel Williams and Mr. Matthew Sylvester.

The Two and Twentieth accused Point.

That no Good Works are Meritorious.

Ans. The word Merit is ambiguous, and so abused by Papists, that indeed the Protestants are shyer of it than the Fathers were, lest the use of it should cherish the abuse.

1. There is Merit of man, and of God. 2. And this in Commutative Justice (con∣ceited,) or only in Governing distributive Justice. 3. And this is either according to the Law of Innocency or Moses, or ac∣cording to the Law of Christ.

Now Protestants hold, 1. As to the Name, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, worthy and worthiness, are Scripture words, and may be used; and Merit is but of the same sig∣nification, and we condemn not the Anci∣ents that so used it: But the worst Sence must not be cherished.

2. Do they hold, 1. That no Creature can merit of God in Commutative Justice, that giveth quid pro quo to his Benefit: God receiveth not from Man or Angels; unless he will call Acceptance and Com∣placence Receiving.

3. None but Christ merited of strict Governing Justice, according to the Law

of Senceless Innocence, nor by any Works that will save man from the charge of Sin and desert of Death.

3. All at Age that will be saved, must have good Works according to their Capa∣city, for Christ is the Author of Salvation, to all those that obey him. Heb. 5.9▪ Tho' they obey not an unknown Priest at Rome.

But all these Works are our Obedience to Christs own healing Government, such as the Laws of a Physician to the Sick. And we all agree, that he will Judge (that is, Justifie or Condemn in Judgment) all men according to their Works, that is, ac∣cording to the Law and it's promulgation, by which in their several Ages and Nati∣ons he governed them.

4. Your own Doctors that know what they say, tell us, that by Merit, they mean nothing but the Rewardable quality of their acts, related to Gods promise through Christs Merits. And doth any Protestant Church deny this?