An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

Your ancient father Pelagius, conjured enemy to the free grace of God, did brag and boast, as you do, that in man there was a will, and a running. But the probation of both is one, that is to say, your affirmation must suffice for authority. You boldly write, that of those words of the Apostle, neither it is of him that willeth, neither yet of him that runneth, but of God having mercy, it is plain that we both will and run. But how is this proved? your long discourse (in which it seemeth that ye have forgotten your self) proveth no part of your purpose. for the question is not, what either the Jew, or the gentle doeth (Imeā) after they have received the grace of God. For them we confess that they have (yet not of them selves) a will and study to walk in godliness: but the question is whether this will and study which now by grace, they have received ⟨p. 149⟩was any cause of their election: the contrary whereof we have before proved.¹ We do not imagine the faithful men bres of Christs body to be stocks or stones insensible without will or study of godliness▪ but we affirm that it is God that worketh in us the good will, and the good thought. for of our selves we are not sufficient to think one good thought. We further affirm,² that except with all humility, the free grace offered with thanks giving be received, that they serve nothing to the salvation of the contemners. But therewith we add, that it is God only, who taketh away the stony and stubborn heart,³