Welchman on Article XIV: Of Works of Supererogation

Neither deserve Grace] dee Tit. iii. 5. Net by Works of —— s, which Me have done, but accerding to his Mercy He saved us, by the Wajhing of Regeneration, and Renewing of the Holy Ghost. And Rom. iv. 2, 6. If Abra- ham were justified by Works, he hath wheresf to glory, but not before God. Even as David also d:scribeth the Blessedncjs of the Man unto whom God imputeth Righteousness without

Vorks.

Grace of Congruity] Some of the School-men have de- vised a twofold Merit; a Merit of Congrutty, and a Merit 7 Condignity. The latter they ascribe to Works, which a

an does by the Assistance of Grace, and to which a Re- ward is in justice due. The former they ascribe to such Works, as a Man does by the mere Strength of Free-will, and which are fo be rewarded only out of Liberality. But what Foundation is there for this Sort of Merit, since all of us are by Nature evil? I know that in Me, that is, in My Flesh, dibelleth no good Thing, Kom. vii. 18. They that are in the Flesh, cannot please God, Rom. viii. 8. A corrupt Tree bringeth forth cuil Fruit, Matth. vii. 17. And therefore this dort of Merit is rejected by others, and even by those of the Church of Rome, as favouring of Pelagianism.

Of Works of Supererogation.

Oluntary Works besides, over and above

God’s Commandments, which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught without Arrogancy and Impiety. For by them Men do declare, that they do not only render unto

of the Church of ENGLAND.

unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his Sake, than of bounden Duty is required: Whereas Christ saith plain- ly, When ye have done all that are command- ed you, say, We are unprofitable Servants,

Works of Supererogation] Since the Law of God is per- fect in every Part, and requires us to do every good Work; since we are commanded to love Ged with all our Souls, and with all our Strength, (Luke x. 27.) and since_that Love is the impulsive Cause of our performing every good Work; what Room is there for Supererogation ? And how should Man be more perfect than the Law of God, which is the exact Rule of all Perfection, and which proposes Gad himself as a Pattern to Man in doing well? Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven, is perfect, Matth. v. 48. do far is any Man from being more good than he ought to be, that veither is he able, to fulfil what he ought to do. And therefore even the best of Men, laying aside all Notions of Supererogation, are daily to pray, that their Debts (or Trespasses) may be forgiven them. But that any one should at the same time be both a Debtor and a Super- erogator, is manifestly absurd, |

See Luke xviii. 10—14. Two Men went up into the Tem-

le to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisze staod and prayed thus with himself: God, 1 thank thee that I am not as other Men are, Extortioners, Unjust, Adulterers, or even as this Publican. i twice in the Week, I give Tithes of all that I possess. And the Pub- lican landing afar off, would not lift up so much as his Eyes unto Heaven; but smote upon his Breast, saying, God be mer- 2. to me a Sinner. I tell you, this Man went down to his aufe justified rather than the other : For every one that ex- alteth himself, shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself,

shall be exalted.

See also St. Cyprian, ** We ought not to glory in any 2. . 3. ce thing, since nothing is our own. For, as we have it inc. 4. St. John’s Gospel, A Man can receive nothing, except it

&« be given him from Heaven.“ John iii. 27.

And again. No one ouęnt to be lifted up upon the ac- IB. c. 51.

« count of what he does. For thus we read in St. Luke’s « Gospel : Which of you having à Servant Libere or feed- 64 ing Catile, will say unto him by-and-by, when he is come

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NorEs on the XXXIX Articles

• from the Field, Go and fit down to Meat! and will not * rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, aid &« gird thyself, and serve Me, till I have eaten and drunken ;

• and afterwards Thou shalt eat and drink. Doth he thank

that Servant, because he did the Things that were command- « ed him? I trow not. So likewise Ye, when ye sbail have &* done all those Things which were commanded you, say, We are unprofitable Servants ; we have done that which was

& our Duty to do,” Luke xvii. 7—10. See also Patrick’s Answer to the Touchstone, Se. 18.

Field of the Church, p. 331.

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