Before we conclude, we will consider some objec- tions that may be urged against the foregoing statement. It may be said that,
1. It contradicts many positive assertions of Holy Scripture —
[Our Lord does, in answer to the young man's inquiry, " What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" say, " If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments r." But our Lord did not mean to say, that he, a fallen creature, could keep the commandments, so as to obtain eternal life by them: his answer was intended to shew him, that he must not seek for life in such a way : and, to convince him that he had not kept the commandments so perfectly as he supposed, our Lord put him to the test ; and gave him thereby a very convincing proof, that he must seek salvation in another way, namely, by be- coming his disciple, and embracing his salvation.
There are many other passages that speak of our works being rewarded : and it is true, that works done in faith, will receive a reward of grace. But is there no difference between a sinners being justified by the merit of his works, and a justified persons receiving a reward of grace on account of his works? In the one case a man may boast, that he has, in part at least, purchased heaven : in the other case, he must acknow- ledge his justification to be altogether of grace; and his in- creased weight of glory to be from the superabounding riches of divine grace, proportioned to his services, but not founded on his merits.
But this matter is beyond a doubt : for we are told, that there could not be a law given that should give life to fallen man : and that that was the very reason why a different way of salvation was prescribed to him8. So that whatever is said in the Scriptures respecting the reward which God will give to our works, we may be sure they never can be rewarded on the ground of merit, nor can we ever obtain life by the performance of them.]
2. It encourages people to disregard good works —
[If this objection were founded in truth, we should think it sufficient to invalidate all that the Apostle himself could say in confirmation of the text : for we may be well assured, that God can reveal nothing, that in its consequences is destructive of morality. But why should it be thought injurious to good works, to affirm, that they cannot justify us before God? Is there no other end for which they should be performed, than to purchase heaven by them? Are they not necessary to prove
1 Mutt. xix. 16, 17. s Gal. iii. 21,22.