Morus: four defects in the works of the graceless
Thesis XIX. Alexander Morus likewise observes that a sinner who lacks God's grace falls short in many ways in all his works, however excellent they may otherwise seem. So before God, who judges by the truth of the matter, they are really counted not good but bad, since good comes from a cause that is whole, and evil from the lack of even one circumstance.
He notes four defects in works of this kind, in their principle, their subject, their manner and their end. Their principle is not the Spirit but the flesh, that is, carnal affection, and the fruits of the flesh cannot please God. Their subject is a man without the grace by which 'we serve God acceptably', that is, offer God a worship that pleases him. Their manner is drawn from some generosity of spirit, not from faith, and without faith no one pleases God. Finally their end, the salvation of one's neighbour and the glory of God, is wholly missing (On the Victory of Grace, disputation 2, thesis 43).
Latin
XIX. Similiter Alexander Morus observat peccatorem gratia Dei carentem variis modis deficere in quibuslibet operibus, quantumvis alioquin eximia videantur, quo fit ut apud Deum, qui secundum rei veritatem judicat, revera non bona sed mala censeantur, quoniam bonum est ex integra causa, malum ex defectu vel unius circumstantiae. Quippe quatuor defectus in operibus ejusmodi notat, respectu principii, subjecti, modi, & finis. Eorum enim principium non est Spiritus, sed caro, id est, affectus carnalis, fructus autem carnis placere Deo nequeunt. Subjectum est homo destitutus gratia illa per quam εὐαρέστως λατρεύομεν τῷ Θεῷ, id est, cultum Deo placentem exhibemus. Modus ex aliqua generositate, non ex fide petitur, sine qua nemo Deo placet. Ac demum finis plane desideratur, salus proximi, gloria Dei. In victoria Gratiae Disput. 2. thesi 43.