The Bondage of the Will

Sect. CVII. BUT let us I pray you suppose that God ought to be such an one who should have respect unto merit in those who are to be damned. Must we not in like manner also require and grant that He ought to have respect unto merit in those who are to be saved For if we are to follow Reason it is equally unjust that the undeserving should be crowned as that the undeserving should be damned. We will conclude therefore that God ought to justify from merit preceding or we will declare Him to be unjust as being one who delights in evil and wicked men and who invites and crowns their impiety by rewards. And then, woe unto you sensibly miserable sinners under that God For who among you can be saved Behold therefore the iniquity of the human heart When God saves the undeserving without merit nay justifies the impious with all their demerit it does not accuse Him of iniquity it does not expostulate