Morus: the works of unbelievers are only less bad
Thesis XXI. Alexander Morus notes this in the disputation already cited so often, thesis 44. 'The works of unbelievers,' he says, 'are not good; some are only less bad than others. The works of the faithful, though stained with spots, maimed in various ways and imperfectly good, are still good, truly good.
They go forward feebly, but on the way of salvation; they throw with weak motion, but at the mark. The others race along at speed, but off the road; they draw the bow hard, but do not aim at the true mark.'
Latin
XXI. Istud observat Alexander Morus Disputatione saepius jam citata thesi quadragesima quarta. Opera infidelium, inquit, bona non sunt, sed alia sunt aliis minus mala. Opera vero fidelium tametsi respersa maculis & varie mutila & imperfecte bona, bona tamen, vere bona sunt — languide ingrediuntur, sed in via salutis; ac debili motu, sed in scopum jaculantur: alii citato cursu feruntur, sed extra viam, & arcum strenue tendunt, sed non in verum scopum destinant.