Assumptions in the Covenant of Works

The covenant of works today showed itself to me to be the type of Biblical explanation that does not lead back into the Bible for more depth and insight, but into specious speculation. Wild, crazy, speculations. Like this notion of the probationary period.
I quote:

"The excommunication from the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:22-24) confirms the probationary nature of the covenant of works." - R. Scott Clark

And this gem:

"In the third place, as a responsible being, as a moral agent, as one who was endowed with free will, Adam had necessarily to be placed on probation, submitted to a real test of his fealty unto God, before he was confirmed, or given an abiding standing in his creature perfec­tions." -A. W. Pink

Not long ago I thought this was an interesting explanation for the Eden set up. Now I think it's best described in two words: rank speculation. It's nowhere mentioned in the text, it cannot be deduced from any verse, and it doesn't really hold up under any rational scrutiny.
Why does Adams fall indicate a probationary period? Why did Adam have to necessarily be placed on probation? How does it make any sense to say that Adam had to be confirmed before he was given a relationship with God? In fact the opposite is true, pre-fall Adam walked with God, and talked with Him, and enjoyed His company in the cool of the evening.

This unfounded idea of 'probationary period' sounds remarkably like the Gap Theory to me, which scoffield, rotten theologian that he was, popularized. Look what A. W. Pink has to say that idea, (commenting on Genesis 1:2

"And the earth became without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep." Some fearful catastrophe must have occurred. Sin had dared to raise its horrid head against God, and with sin came death and all its attendant evils. The fair handiwork of the Creator was blasted. That which at first was so fair was now marred, and what was very good became very evil. The light was quenched, and the earth was submerged beneath the waters of judgment. That which was perfect in the beginning became a ruin, and darkness abode upon the face of the deep. Profoundly mysterious is this, and unspeakably tragic. A greater contrast than what is presented in the first two verses of Genesis 1 can hardly be conceived. Yet there it is: the primitive earth, created by God "in the beginning," had become a ruin."

The Gap Theory states that because the Hebrew word for was is better translated as became. God created the world one time, Satan fell and made the earth void and without form, then God did it over again. 100% pure grade speculation. Fortunately for us this fad has mostly gone away, being that it's completely made up it has not endured the test of time.
I'm hoping "probationary period" which is built on just as much speculation, does the same.