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Quest. CAn we Merit Salvation by our Works?
A. No, For we are justifyed freely by the Grace of God, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ: Rom. 3.24. And we are saveed not of works least any man should boast, Eph. 2.9. The gift of God is eternal life, Rom. 6.23. Now Grace and Works, Gift and Merits are incompatible, and the Scripture calls us Children, to teach us that we obtain
not Salvation as Buyers and Mercenaries: but as Children and Heirs, Rom. 8.17. Col. 3.24.
Q. Why canaot Works done by the Grace of God Merit?
A. First, Because they are imperfect. Secondly, Because they do proceed from the Grace of God, for that which is given cannot merit from him who gave it. Third∣ly, Because they are due, and the payment of Debts is no Merit, Luke 17.10. When you shall have done all these things which are commanded, say you, we are unprofita∣ble servants, we have done that which was our duty to do: Fourthly, Because they sig∣nifie nothing to God: My goodness extendeth not to thee, Psal. 16.2. Job 22.2, 3. and 35.7. and Fifthly, Because they are not to be compared with the glory which shall be re∣vealed in us, Rom. 8.18.
Q. Why then doth the Word of God speak so often of salvation as of a reward?
A. It is not a reward merited, or given to a Mercenary as a thing due, of which St. Paul speaks, Rom. 4.4. To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of Grace, but of debt: but Salvation is a free reward which is given as to a child, of which David speaks, 103.4. The Lord crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercy.
Q. What say you to that which is said of be∣lievers, Revel. 3.4. That they are clothed in White Robes, for they are worthy: and to this that St. Paul calls Life Eternal a Crown of Righteous∣ness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give him? 2 Tim. 1.8.
A. I answer Belivers are worthy of Life Eternal, not because they have merited it, but because God by his Grace hath made them worthy, that is to say according to the stile of the Word of God, capable of re∣ceiving it: as John Baptist, Matth. 3. says, Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, he doth not understand that they merited Repen∣tance, but that they should be agreeable to Repentance: And St. Paul exhorts the Philip∣pians, that their conversation be worthy of the Gospel, that is to say becoming the Gospel: also God is just in giving Life Eternal to those that believe, not because they have merited it, but because it is just with God to accomplish his free promise, Nehem. 9.8.