Bnt, if it be of works, then it is no more grace : otherwise,
WORK is no more work*.
It is, I think, not easy to find a more clear enunciation
than the present. St Paul declares the moving cause of
Election, specifically to be not Works, and specifically to be
Grace alone. Nor does he merely convey this great truth
in the form of a naked declaration. He also reasons upon
it in such a manner, as one might well think would have
precluded the possibility of any misapprehension. Election
is by grace. But, if it be by grace : then it cannot be by
WORKS ; because, in the matter of causation, it is quite clear
that WORKS and grace stand inevitably opposed to each
other. If The Grace of God be the moving cause of Elec-
tion : then God^s Foreknowledge of maris Works cannot also
be its moving cAusEf.
* Bom. xi. 5, 6.
t EUcti per Electionem Qraii€B. Unde dicit idem doctor et de Israel :
Reliquiae per Electionem Gratia factis sunt. Et, ne forte ante constitu-
tionem mundi ex Operibus praecognitis putarentur electi, secutus est, et
adjunxit: Si autem Gratia, turn rum ex Operibus ; alioquin, Chratiajam
non est Chratia. August, cont. Julian. Pelagian, lib. v. c. 4. Oper. vol.
vii. p. 374.
278 THE PRIMITIVE DOCTRINE [bOOK II.
2. In a similar manner, and in perfect accordance with
the last-cited passage, St. Paul makes a parallel declaration
to Timothy respecting the whole Body of the Elect.
God hath called us with an holy calling, not according to
OUR WORKS, hut according to his own purpose and grace
which was given in Christ Jesus before the world began*.
