Paragraph 16.6

This section teaches us that the good works of believers, although not meritorious, are yet accepted of God, through Christ. Here it is only necessary to offer two remarks—1st, That our persons must be accepted, before our works of obedience can be accepted with God. “The Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering.”—Gen. iv. 4. In accepting of his offering, God testified that he had respect unto his person; i. e., that he esteemed and accounted him righteous.—Heb. xi. 4. 2d, That the best of our works are not accepted as they are ours, but only upon account of the merit and mediation of Christ. As our persons are “accepted in the Beloved,” so our works are only “acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”—1 Pet. ii. 5.