The Institution of Christian Religion

Hereby truly the readers do perceive that I bring no new shynge, which long ago Augustine brought forth out of the consent of all godly men, and almost a thousand years after was kept still in monks Cloisters. But Lombard when he could not distinguish necessity from compulsion, gave matter to a pernicious error.

Herby truely the readers do perceiue that I brynge no new shynge, whyche longe agoe Augustine broughte fourthe oute of the consent of all godlye men, and almoste a thousande yeares after was kepte styll in monkes Cloysters. But Lombarde when he coulde not distynguyshe necessitie from compulsion, gaue matter to a pernitious erroure.

On the other side it is good to consider what manner remedy is §6that of the grace of God, whereby the corruption of nature is amended and healed. For whereas the Lord in helping us, giveth us that which we want, when we shall know what his work is in us, it will straightway appear on the other side what is our neediness. When the Apostle sayeth to the Philippians,¹ that he trusteth that he which began a good work in them, will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ: is no doubt, that by the beginning of a good work, he meaneth the very beginning of conversion, which is in will. Therefore God beginneth a good work in us by stirring up in our hearts the love, desire & endeavour of righteousness, or (to speak more properly) in bowing, framing and directing our hearts to righteousness: he endeth it in confirming us to perseverance. And that no man should cavil that good is begun by the Lord, when will being of it self weak is holpen: the holy ghost in an other place declareth what will is able to do being left unto it self.² I will give you (sayeth he) a new heart. I will put a new spirit in the midst of you. And I will take away the stony heart from your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in the midst of you, and I will make you to walk in my commandments. Who shall say that the weakness of mans will is strengthened with help, whereby it may effectually aspire to the choice of that that is good, when it must be whole transformed & renewed? If there be any softness in a stone which by some help being made tenderer will abide to be bowed every way, then will I grant that the heart of man is pliable to obey that which is right, so that that which in it is unperfect, be supplied by the grace of God. But if he meant to show by this similitude, that no goodness could ever be wrong out of our heart unless it be made throughly new: let us not part between him and us, that which he challengeth to him self alone. If therefore a stone be transformed into flesh, when God turneth us to the desire of that which is right: then is all that which was of our own will taken away, and that which cometh in place thereof is all of God. I say that will is taken away, not in that it is will, because in the conversion of man, that which was of the first nature abideth whole: