Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 11:6

6. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work .

This Verse depends upon the former; and though it doth not seem to appertain to the Argument the Apostle had in hand, yet, by the Direction of the Spirit, he takes the little Occasion that is offered, to shew, That election and vocation is only by grace, and not by works; this he had spoken to before, chap. 4.4, 5. and 9.11. But he toucheth upon it again; and here he delivers a Truth, which the Iews of Old, either could not, or would not understand, i. e. That there is no mixing of the Merit of good works, and the free-grace of God; but one of these doth exclude and destroy the Nature of the other: For if election and calling were both of grace and works (as some that call themselves Christians, as well as the Iews affirm) then grace is no grace, and works are no works: For whatsoever proceedeth of grace, that cometh Freely, and not of Debt; but what cometh by Merit of works, that cometh by Debt; but now Debt and no Debt, or that which is Free, and by Desert, are quite contrary things. Therefore to say, That Men [illegible: 1 letter]re elected and called, partly of grace, and partly of the Merit of fore-seen works, that were to put things together, that cannot Agree, to make Debt no Debt, Merit no Merit, works no works, grace no grace; and so to Affirm and Deny one and the same thing.

Marginal references: See Deu. 9.4.