The Institution of Christian Religion

And he moveth the will, not in such sort as hath in many ages §10ben taught and believed: that it is afterward in our choice, either to obey or withstand the motion, but with mightily strengthening it. Therefore that must be rejected which Chrysostom so oft repeateth: whom he draweth, he draweth being willing. Whereby he secretly teacheth that God doeth only reach out his hand, to see if we will be holpen by his aid. We grant that such was the state of man while he yet stood, that he might bow to either part. But sith he hath taught by his example how miserable is freewill, unless God both will and can in us: what shall become of us, if he give us his grace according to that small proportion? But rather we do obscure and extenuate it with our unthankfulness. ⟨image 102⟩For the Apostle doeth not teach, that the grace of a good will is offered us if we do accept it, but that he will perform it in us: which is nothing else, but that the Lord by his spirit doth direct, how and govern our heart, and reigneth in it as in his own possession.¹ Neither doeth he promise by Ezekiel, that he will give to the elect a new spirit only for this end, that they may be able to walk in his commandments, but to make them walk in deed. Neither can Christs saying,² (every one that hath heard of my Father cometh to me) be otherwise taken, than to teach that the grace of God is effectual of it self:³ as Augustine also affirmeth. Which grace, God vouchsafeth not to give to all men generally without regard, as that saying (as I think) of Occam, is commonly spoken among the people, that it denieth nothing to him that doeth what lieth in him. Men are in deed to be taught that Gods goodness is laid open for all men, without exception that seek for it. But forasmuch as they only begin to seek for it, whom the heavenly grace hath breathed upon, not so much as this little piece ought to be plucked away from his praise. Truly this is the prerogative of the elect, that being regenerate by the spirit of God, they are moved and governed by his guiding. Therefore Augustine doeth worthily as well mock them, that claim any part of willing them to them selves, as he doeth reprehend other which think that, that is generally given to all men, which is the special testimony of free election.