angels? We think that, however prejudiced any may be against the doctrine of justification by faith alone, it is impos- sible for them not to see, that man has no right to invade the prerogative of the Most High, and that " God cannot, con- sistently with his own honour, give his glory to another'."]
But, if man's salvation be in any measure by works, God will not have all the glory of it —
[" Therefore is salvation by faith, that it may be by grace." Were it in any measure by works, it would become " a debt, and not a reward of grace V Let but the smallest part of our reward be claimed as a debt, and there is an end of God's honour as the sole Author of our salvation. Man will have a right to boast : indeed he cannot but boast : he cannot but say, I paid a price for this benefit : whether the price be equal in value to the benefit conferred, is nothing to the purpose : it was the price demanded ; and the man who pays this price may claim the benefit, as having performed the terms on which that benefit was suspended. To suppose that salvation can be of faith and of works at the same time, is absurd ; the two are incompatible with each other: "if it be of works it cannot be of grace ;" and " therefore it is of faith, that it may be by grace1."]
But justification by faith alone is yet further neces- sary,
II. For the happiness of man —
If justification were by works, " the promise would be sure" to none —
[Consider what must be done to secure the promised be- nefit : First, such a number of good works must be performed as shall be sufficient to purchase the remission of all our past sins. But who shall ascertain what measure of them shall suffice ? or who, if it were ascertained, shall perform them ? Next, such a number of good works must be performed as shall suffice to purchase eternal happiness and glory. And who shall tell us the amount of these that is required ? or who will undertake to pay the price ? Whatever is paid to purchase mercy for other acts, must need no mercy for itself: and how many of such acts can you produce? Nay further; it must be not only a perfect work, but a work of supererogation : for if it be a work that has been enjoined, you are still only " an unprofitable servant; you have done no more than was your duty to do." What store of such works have you wherewith to purchase heaven ? But you will say, that God has mitigated the demands of his law, and is now satisfied with imperfect
1 Isai. xlii. 8. k ver. 4. ' Rom. xi. 6.