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2. TIm. 1.9. Who hath saved vs, & called vs, with an ho∣lie calling: not accor∣ding to our vvorks, but according to his owne purpose and grace, vvhich vvas gi∣ven vs in Christ Iesus, before the World began.
Note then, That preparatorie works
in vs is altogether excluded, and all at∣tributed onlie to meere grace, in our effectuall calling.
Ephes. 2.3.4.5. Amongst whom also wee all had our conver∣sation in tymes past, in the lusts of our flesh; fulfilling the desires of the fl••sh, and of the minde, and were by nature the children of vvrath, even as others: But God, vvho is rich in mercie, for his great loue vvhere-vvith hee hath loved vs, Even when wee were dead in sinnes, hath quickened vs, together with Christ; for by grace yee are saved.
Consider then, Before our effectuall cal∣ling, what wicked workes the Apostle showeth doeth preceede in all men; me∣riting wrath, and not anie gracious cal∣ling: and seeing wee are all dead in sinne before our calling, what preparations can bee in a dead man of himselfe, to his quickening and reviving againe?
Tit. 3.3. For we our selues also were some-tymes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lustes and pleasures, living in malice and envy,
hatefull, and hating one another: But after that the kindnesse and loue of God, our Saviour, toward man appeared, not by works of righteous∣nesse, which wee had done, but ac∣cording to his mercie, hee hath saved vs, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghost.
Note then, What sort of workes the Apostle reckoneth vp, which preceedeth our calling, from which hee exeemeth not himselfe, being a bloodie persecuter, immediatelie before his calling, and had no other works of fore-going prepara∣tion, but persecution of Christs mem∣bers, even as Manasseh.
Rom. 8.7. For the carnall mynde is enimitie against God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can bee.
I aske then, How can it prepare it selfe vnto Gods calling, vnto whom it is eni∣mitie? or fit it selfe to bee subject to Gods Law, which the Apostle sayeth, is impossible to it?
THe Elect hee preventeth with grace, being altogether vnworthie of mer∣cie
(sayth Fulgentius, lib. 1. ad Monimum, f. 5.) with whom homologateth Augu∣stine enchiridio ad Laurentium, c. 30.
WHerefore I see most learned and godlie men incline (sayeth Vega) vnto this, that the Church should reject that merit, which they call de congruo. Vega Iesuit. lib. 8. de justif. c. 8. §. quia.