Chapter 93

That a man being humbled and abased by the contents of the last Chapter, may enjoy that greatness which our Lord vouchsafeth to impart, to the works of such as are just, with confidence, and gratitude.

THY soul being thus secured, from the aforesaid dangers, by this consideration, which our Lord doth teach us, thou mayst securely enjoy the greatness, and dignity, which he giveth to such, as are his, and thou art to bless him, in regard that, even to such as naturally are but slaves, he infuseth his grace, whereby they are made the adopted sons of God; and if sons, they are heirs together with Christ, as S. Paul¹ saith. Now because it is reason, that such as are received for the sons of God, should live, and work, according to the condition of the Father; our Lord gives them the Holy Ghost, and many gifts, and virtues, whereby they may serve him, and perform his law, and give him gust. And they, who for any services which they could do, how great soever they were (being considered in themselves) did not pass above the roof of their own houses, have now drunk deeply of the water of grace. And² this is so powerful, that it maketh a fountain, even in the bowels of them, which sprouts up, as high as eternal life; by the value whereof, their good works (how little soever they be) do also rise up, & reach to eternal life; because they deserve it, for the reasons which are already touched. And now, reflect upon the difference, that runs between thee, being considered in thyself, and thee, when thou art considered in God, and in his grace. Of thyself, thou art but a huge bill of debt; and how much soever thou dost, thou art not only unable to deserve eternal life; but not so much as to pay what thou owest; whereas, in God, & in his grace, the self same service which thou art bound to do, is received into account for merit of eternal life. And our Lord, without being obliged, so much as to thank thee, and much less to pay thee, for that which thou dost for him; doth yet ordain things in such sort, as that, the good works of his servants, may be rewarded by their possessing him in heaven. And though God own nothing to any man, for that which man is able to do for him; yet he oweth it³ to himself, whose ordination is, in all justice, and reason, yea and that, most entirely to be accomplished.

Give therefore glory unto God, for these favours; and know, that if he had not been a Father of mercy to S. Paul, in giving him a life, which was full of merits; S. Paul would not have presumed to say, when he was near his death, That the just judge, was to give him a crown of justice. God⁴ crowned him by justice; but first he gave him the merits of grace; and so doth all redound to the glory of God; either under the title of a just Rewarder, of that which we have done well; or as a merciful, and primitive Imparter, of the good which we have done; and no man can deny this, but he that will deprive God of his honour. Put thyself therefore into thine own true place; and esteem thyself worthy of hell, and of all miseries, and unworthy of the least good. And⁵ yet be not dismayed by this consideration of thine own baseness; but discharging all kind of pusillanimity, hope thou in the mercy of God; that since he hath placed thee, in his way, he will strengthen thee so fare, as to proceed therein; till thou mayst gather the fruit of eternal life, from those good works, which here by his grace thou didst perform.