I do not think that Horne has understood Ursinus when he speaks about good works being done to escape temporal and eternal punishment. The blessings in mind for doing good works are NOT salvation. They are the rewards over and above salvation which God gives to us. This is evident in the plural “rewards.” The escape from judgment is qualified in the context by the statement that our faith is exercised, nourished, strengthened and increased by good works (p. 484 of Ursinus’ commentary). In other words, we do good works to make sure that our faith is a live faith.
The quotation is from p. 484 of Ursinus’ commentary. The chapter begins on p.482 under the heading, “V. WHY GOOD WORKS ARE TO BE DONE, OR WHY ARE THEY NECESSARY?” The full quote from Ursinus on the point is this:
6. That we may escape temproal and eternal punishment. “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.” “If ye live after the flesh ye shall die.” “Thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity.” (Matt. 7:19. Rom. 8:13. Ps. 39.11.)
To say the least, I don’t find Lane’s claims to be plausible. His last sentence (“…we do good works to make sure that our faith is a live faith.”) describes what Ursinus says in his third point, “That we may be assured of our election and salvation,” where he explains that we should be “assured by the fruits of faith, which are good works, new obedience, and true repentance.” Now I agree with both these points and think that are both ways of making the same claim. So, as far as I’m concerned, I agree with Lane’s last sentence and believe it is exactly what I am arguing. It is also, by the way, what both Westminster Catechisms teach:
Q. 85. What doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin? A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. (See also LC #153)
The “outward means” include all commands, especially worship (Words, Sacraments, and Prayer). If Ursinsus disagreed that we do good works to escape eternal and temporal punishments, then he would be teaching error according to Presbyterian doctrine. Naturally, having provided us with such acute and intelligent analysis of myself and Ursinsus’ writings, Lane freely puts his blog-prosecution under the label “heresy.” The fact that he can do this publicly in the PCA against a fellow minister (and get political appointments at the natonal/politburo level as a reward for this kind of behavior) speaks volumes about the spiritual state of the denomination.