The Institution of Christian Religion

With what apt handling they have done the same, we shall after see. Surely that the sayings which we have rehearsed are most false, shall by and by appear. Now although the Grecians more than other, and among them principally Chrysostom have passed measure in advancing the power of mans will yet all the old writers, except Augustine, do in this point so either vary, or waver, or speak doubtfully, that in manner no certainty can be gathered of their writings. Therefore we will not tarry upon exact reckoning of every one of their sayings, but hear and there we will touch out of every one of them ⟨image 87⟩so much as the plain declaration of the matter shall seem to require. As for them that followed after, while every one for himself sought praise of wit, in defending of mans nature, they fell continually by little and little one after an other into worse and worse, till it came so far that man was commonly thought to be corrupted only in his sensual part, and to have reason altogether, and will for the more part uncorrupted. In the mean time this flew about in all mens mouths, that the natural gifts were corrupted in man, and the supernatural were taken away. But to what meaning that tended, scarcely the hundredth man did even slightly understand. As for my part, if I would plainly show of what sort is the corruption of nature, I could be easily contented with these words. But it is much material that it be heedfully weighed what a man, being in all parts of his nature corrupted and spoiled of his supernatural gifts, is able to do. They therefore which boasted them selves to be the Disciples of Christ, spake of this matter to much like Philosophers. For the name of Freewill still remained among the Larines, as if man had still abidden in uncorrupted state. And the Grecians were not ashamed to use the word much more arrogantly: For they called it Autexousion, that is to say, of her own power, as if man had the power of him self. Because therefore all, even to the commune people, had received this principle, that man was endued with Free will, and many of them that would seem excellent, can not tell how far it extendeth:

With what apt handeling thei haue done the same, wee shall after see. Surely that the sayinges whyche wee haue rehersed are mooste false, shall by and by appeare. Nowe althoughe the Grecians more than other, and amonge them principally Chrysostome haue passed measure in aduancinge ye power of mans will yet all ye olde writers, except Augustine, do in this point so eyther varie, or wauer, or speake doubtefully, that in manner no certaintie canne bee gathered of theyr writynges. Therefore we will not tarrye vpon exacte reckenynge of euerye one of theyr sayinges, but heare and there wee wyll touche oute of euerye one of them