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Johannes Maccovius, Theological Distinctions XV.

James Dodson

Chapter XV

Of Good Works

[p. 135]

I. Good works in this life are imperfect.

For as the fountain is, so are the streams.

II. Unregenerate men sometimes do good works as to the substance, but not as to the circumstances of the work.

The substance of the work is said to be when they do what the law commands. Three circumstances of the work are named by theologians: first, that it be done by the command of God; second, that it be done from faith; third, that it be done and tend to the glory of God.

III. Good works are necessary as an antecedent to a consequent, not as a cause to an effect.

The Holy Spirit teaches this everywhere, when He denies that eternal life comes because of our works. Yet meanwhile He also teaches that without holiness no one can see God. Hebrews 12:14.

IV. Eternal life is given to those who do good works, but not because of good works.

This is clear from Matthew 25, where it is said, “I was hungry,” etc.

[p. 136]

V. Good works are moral and spiritual.

This distinction must be observed, because an unregenerate man, assisted by God’s grace—namely the grace of restraint and direction—can do moral good works as to the substance, but in no way can he perform spiritual good works.

VI. Good works are internal or external, just as sin is internal or external.

VII. To good works a reward is given, improperly so called.

For it is given from grace, not from debt. Romans 4. For there to be merit, it must have four requisites: first, that it be not owed; second, that it proceed from the strength of him who merits; third, that it tend to the advantage of him from whom one thinks he merits; fourth, that the reward not be greater than the merit.

VIII. The good works which the Gentiles perform please God so far that, on account of them, there is a justification in part and in a certain respect, but not wholly, in the external judgment; secondly, because those works are rewarded with temporal goods.

[p. 137]

Therefore they will suffer lighter punishments in hell, and they are rewarded with temporal goods, as is clear in the midwives, Exodus 1.

IX. The good works of the Gentiles are called sins accidentally, not in themselves.

X. It is not nouns, but adverbs, that make good works.

That is, the thing must not only be good, but it must also be done well. Now that is done well which is done from faith, to the glory of God, and by the command of God.

XI. The person does not please God because of the works; rather, the works please God because of the person.

This is proved from Genesis 4: God had respect unto Abel and to his sacrifice.

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