Louis Le Blanc on the Relationship between Good Works and Eternal Life Theses 13-17
Theses Theologicae [...] (London, 1683), pgs. 590-91
13. For as pertains to the first point [i.e., the need for equal proportion], life and eternal glory is so large and so great a reward that it far exceeds the price and the moral value of our good works, if they are judged on their own merits. For that good is in every respect perfect. But our good works are produced with many defects: they are not exact with regard to the strictness and precision of the divine law. If those works which are most excellent among the good works of the faithful are looked at and seem to be most outstanding, none will be able to surpass the sufferings endured by Christ out of love for God. And yet the Apostle speaking about these says, in Ch. 8 of Rom., “I think that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to future glory, which will be revealed in us.” Similar to these is what we recently cited from the same Apostle, For our light affliction which is for the present moment works in us an exceeding eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 4).
14. And certainly, Christ sufficiently notes in Luke 6 that God attributes to our good works, which arise from love for him, a much larger and plentiful value than they are able to have on their own. Christ says that he returns to his own not only a good measure, but a superabundant one. “Give,” he says, “and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken, and superabundant will be placed into your laps.” By which words, Jesus exaggerates the extent of the divine remuneration above that which we are able to offer.
15. So although there is not an equivalent proportion or equality of price and value between the good works of the faithful and heavenly life and immortality, which God rewards to them, nevertheless as is clear from what already has been said, there is a multitudinous relationship, and a certain harmonious proportion, so to speak, among the two; in which way we can say the same about a seed and a crop; between seed and the fruit which arises from it; between a contest and a crown, which is awarded to the victor—these similitudes Scripture uses for this purpose. Similarly, between a means and an end; between a road and a destination to which that road leads; between a moral good, that is, virtue and holiness, and a physical good, that is, felicity and blessedness, answering to it from the opposite side; between the beginning of a thing and its consummation; or between a thing begun and that same thing finished. Finally, between things of the same rank, and which spring from the same principle, and have a certain natural connection among themselves. For good works pertain to grace which is glory begun, given that, on the other hand, glory itself is consummated grace. Hence good works have the logic of a moral good but eternal life has the logic of a physical good (as I might say). And indeed, both are part of the supernatural order and have the same author, the Holy Spirit.
16. Hence it is that Scripture says that God will render to each person, whether good or bad, according to his works, that is, just as it harmonizes or is consistent with their works. And indeed, it is fitting and altogether suitable to divine wisdom as it is well with those who do well and bad with those who do bad. And those who live well and laudably in this age—and above that which the mode of nature brings—will live well and blessedly in the coming age, also above the mode of nature.
17. Therefore, even those who live piously and justly in this world and suffer for Christ are proclaimed worthy of life and heavenly glory in holy Scripture. As in Revelation 3:4: “They will walk with me in white [clothing] because they are worthy.” And 2 Thess. 1 where the Apostle teaches that the faith and patience of the pious is proved through many persecutions and tribulations, as they have lived worthy of the kingdom of God for which they have also suffered. For although the sufferings of this time are not wholly deserving of the future glory which will be revealed in us as we cited from the same apostle above, because, of course, a momentary and light affliction does not have an equal proportion to the eternal weight of glory, still those who consistently endure adversities for the name of Christ, and against one’s own enticing concupiscence obeys the motions of the divine Spirit, [these] are worthy of the kingdom of God and a crown of glory, because it is appropriate for God to give those who genuinely [legitime] fight to keep his commands those rewards which harmonize with his goodness and bountifulness. And to those who pursue virtue out of love for him and for his glory, those rewards will be lavishly granted which are valued not with respect to the smallness of the work offered on their own, but [those rewards] will answer to the majesty and magnitude of the rewarder.