Peairtach
Puritan Board Doctor
Isn't that the point of the covenant, though? The only way God could ever have "owed" anyone anything, is by entering into an arrangement. Saying that in a counterfactual hypothetical situation Adam would have had a basis for recrimination seems to me far too speculative to be of any doctrinal value.
But God would have "owed" unfallen Adam e.g. at the very least not to inflict negative sanctions on him, because God is just.
This is what God "owes" to the unfallen angels also.
God isn't arbitrary in any of His dealings with His creatures but always does things in line with His own holy, good and righteous character.
This is ultimately the reason that Man can and always should have total confidence in God, because of who He is.
The Covenant of Works "wouldn't be worth the paper it was written on" if God wasn't the God He is.
I define grace as unmerited favor.
Part of the favour God gave to Adam was merited and part wasn't.
By giving life to innocent creatures made in His image, God owed them certain a duty of care in accordance with His own perfectly good character, but it was a duty which He voluntarily and knowingly entered into by creating them.
By voluntary condescension God gave to Adam and Eve far more than He needed to, and offered them through the Covenant of Works, far more than they deserved for their continued obedience.