ZIO Ephe/-ians, Chap.z. V 8 R. 8, it to ur itt Chrifi, cannot fland with the merit of our works. Objefl. But why then doth God promife life everlafling to works e ifye mortifie the deeds of theflejh, ye /balllive Rom. 8. 13. ifyefop;to the ¡ pirit, youJhall reapof the (ßirit lifeeverlafiing, Gal. 6.8. An n' There are forreconditions fimplyconditional!, that do well nand Conditions of k two forts. ith grace. Such are thofe conditions,whereon they onely interceding,we pro- mife , and undertake to do a matter , or bellowa kindneffe on any ; as, Gowith me to fuch a place, and I will give thee hidden treafure : Come to me tomorrow, and I will give thee anhundred pound. z. There are other conditions which have the reafonof a caufemeri- torious ; fuchdo not onely intercede , but deferve upon contraéts as much aswe promife : as, Do my work well, and I will pay you truly. Of this kinde are thofe conditions which are contained in the Law, Do this andlive : As for the other of the Gofpel, they areonely bare and fimple conditions, which deferve nothing, but mull intercede and precede the bellowing of eternall life. And here it were worth our labour to confider thegrounds of Merit, which the Papins lay down InfuRficiene in the chiefof their Arguments. They are thefe inbrief : grounds whet- r. Chrins Merit. on they e4a- NAMerit. 2. Our Adoption. 3. Our Works. 4. Gods covenanting with us. But noneofthefe are fufficient toeftablifh Merit. r. For firn, we cannot merit as children eternall life, btcaufeit is our right bybirth.No childe can be laid to merit the inheritance towhich he is born : and how doth anymerit that which ishis right already 2. Nor do our Works of themfelves merit; when all obedience is but a witneffe of our thankfuineffe : nor is there any proportion between the duty and the inheritance. 3: Neither yet as they are dyed with the blood of Chrin , or do come from his fpirit; for, as they are of Chrin, dwelling in us by his fpirit : fo are they alto from our felves, having aLaw of fin dwel- ling in us, and lulling againn the fpirit,which maketh them to be done imperfeßtly, and by halves. Objeff: It is further objeéted, that lifeeverlafting is a reward, and that re- wards are deferved. Aufn.. I anfwer, all rewards are not due upon, nor given for defert; MMerci`groux, there is a reward given by favour. When Paul faith, that to him that worketh, the rewardis counted, not by favour, but by debt; doth he not infinuate fo much, that fome often receive even liberali re- wards , onely upon the favour of the Donour ! And our Saviour faith, Luke 6.3 2. Andifyou love them that love you, what thanks(hall ye have? The word xáers, which fignifieth a gratuity, (as it were) and a reward of free favour, importing thus much, that whatreward men haveof God, even upon their belt fervice,it is but xaews, a gratui- tie, no opciÀfust, no debtupon deferr. Lanly, \
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