Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

ƲƲhat then, are the good vvorkes of men merito∣rious in the sight of God?

If you speake of euill workes, wee affirme that they are meritorious, taking the name of merite properly, and punish∣ment is due vnto them, taking the name of debt properly, for the vvages of sinne is death. Rom. 6, 23. But if wee speake of good workes, wee denie out of the promises, that any good worke, no not of the most most excellent creature, doth merite at the handes of GOD, because the scripture expresly teacheth it, Rom. 4.4. To him that vvorketh, &c. And Chap. 11.6. If it be of vvorkes, then not of gracea 1.1.

2 Because Christ hath sufficiently by his owne merit deser∣ued eternall life for vsb 1.2.

3 Because all our boasting must be taken awayc 1.3,

4 Because the nature and condition of a merite, doth re∣quire these three things.

1 That that worke whereby wee merite be free, not due from vs to him, to whom we doe performe that worke of ours. But whatsoeuer good we doe, it is onely some part of our dutie to∣wards God, which wee owe vnto hima 1.4, and who hath gi∣uen to the Lord first, and it shall be restored to him againe. Rom. 11.35.

2 That the selfe same worke of ours, and gift which is of∣fered be profitable and commodious for him, of whom wee merite, but no action of ours brings any profit to God. Psal. 16.2. My good dooing reacheth not vnto thee. Iob. 22.2. For the Lord hath no neede of any thing of ours, Psal. 50, 11.12.

3 It is required that the thing wee offer bee proportio∣nable; and in price and worthinesse equall to that thing which wee doe receiue of another, and wherewith another doth recompence vse 1.5. But no good workes of ours are wor∣thie, that is proportionable to saluation and life eternall, which wee receiue of GOD, because there is no pro∣portion betweene our good workes and life eternall.

f 1.6Therefore to conclude; our good workes merite nothing at the handes of God, and for this cause eternall life is called the free or gratious gift of God. Rom, 6.23.

Further wee deny that simplie God oweth any thing to a good worke, if the name of debt or wages be taken properly: for neither is there any such excellencie of any good worke whatso∣euer, that god should be indebted to it by the order of iustice.g 1.7 doth the Lord thanke that seruant because he did those thinges that were commaunded him? I trow not. Although it cannot be denyed that rewarde is due to good workes by couenant & free pro∣mise, to wit if they be perfect. Rom. 4.4. to him which vvorketh namely to him that perfectly fulfilleth the law, rewarde is coun∣ted to him of debt: and in the law, shewing mercie to thousands of them that keepe his commaundements &c. Exod. 20.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Eph. 2.8.9
• b 1.2

  Mat, 20.28 Ioh, 16, 2 1 Ti. 1.10 Heb 9, 12
• c 1.3

  Eph. 2, 9 1 Cor, 4.4
• a 1.4

  Luk, 17.9 10. &c Ro. 8.12
• e 1.5

  Ro. 1, 27
• f 1.6

  Rom, 8, 18
• g 1.7

  Luk. 17.9