Yet for the better explaining of Bernards meaning in the words before recited, & the assoiling of some scruple that thence might arise, as also for the reconciling of some hspeeches of our Saviour, that may seem the one to cross the other: we must understand, that ithere is never any seeking on our part, before some proffer on Gods part: for kman can by no means ⟨p. 9⟩prevent Gods work. Now to pass by those lcommon lights and helps of nature by God generally afforded unto all, of which the Apostle Paul to mthe Athenians, and nthe Lycaonians in the Acts; because othey never prove effectual in this kind to any purpose ordinarily in any: and to confine our selves to those aides that he offereth and affordeth usually in his Church; which alone in ordinary course are effectual to this end: There is as a twofold vocation; so a twofold diquisition: As pa twofold vocation on Gods part; an external vocation, in the offer of the means, which doth not always take effect; of which our Saviour, qMany are called, but few chosen: and ran internal vocation, in the blessing accompanying those means, which cannot be without effect; of which the Apostle, sThose that he calleth, he justifieth; and those that he justifieth, he glorifieth. So there is ta twofold diquisition or seeking on our part; an outward seeking (if I may so term it) in the use of the means, the study of them, and pains taking about them, which yet is not always effectual: For, uThey shall go to seek the Lord with their sacrifices; but they shall not find him, saith the Prophet: And *Many shall seek to enter, but shall not be able, saith our Saviour. The other inward, xwhen those means by the gracious assistance of Gods Spirit, have wrought thoroughly upon the heart: of which the Psalmist, yBlessed are they, that seek him with their whole heart: ⟨p. 10⟩and God by the Prophet, zThey shall seek me, and find me; because they shall seek me with all their heart. And this is that seeking that Bernard speaketh of, which is ever effectual; and of which our Saviour therefore, aWhosoever seeketh findeth. For none so seek but such as by effectual vocation are found of God before: none so seek, but such as by effectual conversion (the inseparable effect and fruit of such vocation) have breturned unto God, and so found him in part already.
Yet for the better explaining of Bernards meaning in the words before recited, & the assoiling of some scruple that thēce might arise, as also for the reconciling of some hspeeches of our Saviour, that may seem the one to crosse the other: we must understand, that ithere is never any seeking on our part, before some proffer on Gods part: for kman can by no means ⟨p. 9⟩prevent Gods worke. Now to passe by those lcommon lights and helpes of nature by God generally afforded unto all, of which the Apostle Paul to mthe Athenians, and nthe Lycaonians in the Acts; because othey never prove effectuall in this kinde to any purpose ordinarily in any: and to confine our selves to those aides that hee offereth and affordeth usually in his Church; which alone in ordinary course are effectuall to this end: There is as a twofold vocation; so a twofold diquisition: As pa twofold vocation on Gods part; an externall vocation, in the offer of the meanes, which doth not alwaies take effect; of which our Saviour, qMany are called, but few chosen: and ran internall vocation, in the blessing accompanying those meanes, which cannot bee without effect; of which the Apostle, sThose that hee calleth, he justifieth; and those that hee justifieth, he glorifieth. So there is ta twofold diquisition or seeking on our part; an outward seeking (if I may so tearme it) in the use of the meanes, the studie of them, and paines taking about them, which yet is not alwaies effectuall: For,
- hLuke 11.10. & 13.24.
- iIsaiah. 65.1.Esai. 65.1.
- kPotes query & inveniri: praeveniri non potes. Bern. de dilig. Deo, c. 3. Ad bonum assurgere perfectè non possumus, nisi nos spiritus & praeveniendo excitet, & subsequendo confortet. Greg. in Ezech. 10. Nolentem praevenit ut velit: volentem subsequitur, ne frustra velit, Aug. Enchir. cap. 32.Potes quaeri & inveniri: praeveniri non potes. Bern. de dilig. Deo, c. 3. Ad bonum assurgere perfectè non possumus, nisi nos spiritus & praeveniendo excitet, & subsequendo confortet. Greg. in Ezech. 10. Nolentem praevenit ut velit: volentem subsequitur, ne frustra velit, Aug. Enchir. cap. 32.
- lRom. 1.20. & 2.15.
- mAct. 17.27.
- nAct. 14.17.
- o1 Cor. 1.21. & 2.7, 8, 9.
- pVocatio duplex; externa, interna: s• ve generalis & specialis: vel communis & peculiaris▪ Vide Aug. de Corrept. & Grat. c. 7. Drus Miscell. lib. 2. cap. 2. & Calv. Institut. l. 3. c. 24. §. 7.
- q
