Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 1.

THis opinion is also opposite to the Scriptures, as the words of the Apostle sheweth, Ephes. 2. 8, who speaking concerning the meanes of our salvation, saith absolutely, That it is by grace that we are saved, and not of our selves, and that it is the gift of God. He also sheweth that grace and workes cannot stand together, Rom. 11. 6. If it be of grace, it is no more of works; and if of works, then no more of grace; and the Patriarke Jacob confesseth himself to be lesse then the least of Gods mercies, or unworthy of the least of them; by which it plainly appeareth that be attributed no merit,

or worthinesse to himself, but doth acknowledge all to proceed from Gods mercy; which reasons are surely of power to convince any rationall man, that we deserve nothing at Gods hands, in re∣gard that our best workes are imperfect, and have need of grace to pardon the imperfections thereof; as also that we are the Lords bounden servants, and doe no more then our duty when we doe our best, and even then we are unprofitable servants, Luke 17. 10. God therefore crowneth our good workes, but rather of his goodnesse and mercy then our deserving, whose mercy is seene in his graci∣ous promising, and righteousnesse in his faithfull performing; it is his mercy in calling us, before we can any waies be prepared thereunto: there is no fitnesse, aptnesse, or congruity in our na∣ture, but all is of grace; and therefore Moses telleth the Israe∣lites, Deut. 4. 27. that because the Lord loved their fathers, there∣fore he chose their seed after them.