The Institution of Christian Religion

And because we are now in hand with the chief point whereupon the §8matter hangeth, let us go forward & prove the sum thereof to the readers only, with a few & the most plain testimonies of the scripture. And then, lest any man should accuse us of wrongful wresting the Scripture, let us show that the trueth which we affirm being taken out of the Scripture, wanteth not the testimony of this holy man, I mean Augustine. For I think it not expedient, that all the things be rehearsed that may be brought out of the Scriptures, for confirmation of our meaning, so that by the most chosen that shall be brought forth, the way may be prepared to understand all the rest that are here and there commonly red. And again, I think it shall not be unfitly done, if I openly show that I agree well with that man whom worthily the consent of godly men doth much esteem. Surely it is evident by plain & certain proof, that the beginning of goodness is from no where else but only from God, for there can not be found a will bent to good, but in the elect. But the cause of election is to be sought out of man. Whereupon followeth, that man hath not right Will of him self, but it proceedeth from the same good pleasure, whereby we are elect before the creation of the world. There is also an other reason not unlike unto it. For whereas the beginning of willing & doing well is of faith, it is to be seen whence saith it self cometh. Forasmuch as the whole Scripture crieth out that it is a free gift of God, it followeth, that it is of the mere grace of God, when we, which are with all our mind naturally bent to evil, begin to will that which is good. Therefore the lord, when he nameth these two things in the conversion of his people, to take away from them a stony heart, and to give them a heart of flesh, plainly testifieth that, that which is of our selves must be done away, that we may be converted to righteousness: and that what so ever cometh in place thereof,¹ is from himself. And he uttereth not this in one place only. For he saith in Jeremiah: I will give them one heart & one way, that they may fear me all their days. And a little after. I will give the fear of my name into their heart, that they depart not from me. Again in Ezekiel:² I will give them one heart, and I will give a new spirit in their bowels.