Question 62

THE ARGVMENT.

That woorkes are not righteousnesse, or any part of righteousnesse in the sight of God, & therfore, that the righteousnes of workes is gathered amisse from the reward: and yet, that men are not by this doctrine made carelesse, and prophane.

Why cannot our good woorks be righteousnes or any part of righteousnesse in the sight of God?

Because that righteousnesse, which is able to abide the iudgment of God must be most perfect, and in all points agreeing with the law of God: but our best works that we do in this life, are imperfect, and euen^a defiled with sinnes.^b

The vse.

Which being so, we are here put in minde, to giue whollie to God, the glorie of our saluation, and to learne to humble our selues vnder his mightie hand, of whome, Peter sayth most trulie, God resisteth the proud and giueth grace vnto the humble: wherevnto Augustine speaketh agreably, the more weake thou art in thy selfe, the more doth God care for thee, &c. For as our humilitie is exalted before him, so the confession of our humilitie, hath his mercy readie to succour vs.^c