The Institution of Christian Religion

And to this purpose is that saying of the▪ Apostle wrongfully §12wrested by ignorance: I have laboured more than they all: not I, but the grace of God with me.¹ For they take it so: that because it might seem somewhat arrogantly spoken that he preferred him self ⟨image 103⟩before them all, therefore he corrected it with referring the praise to the grace of God, but yet so that he calleth him self a worker together with grace. It is marvel that so many which otherwise were not evil men, have stumbled at this straw. For the Apostle doeth not write that the grace of the Lord laboured with him, to the intent to make him self partner of the labour, but rather by this correction he giveth away all the praise of the labour to grace only. It is not I (sayeth he) that have laboured, but the grace of God that was with me. But the doubtfulness of the speech deceived them: but specially the ill translation wherein the force of the Greek article was left out. For if it be translated word for word, he doth not say, that grace was a worker together with him, but that the grace that was with him was the worker of all. And the same thing doth Augustine teach, not darkly, though shortly, where he thus sayeth: The good will of man goeth before many gifts of God,² but not before all. But of them which it goeth before, it self is one, then followeth his reason:³ because it is written: His mercy hath prevented me: And his mercy shall follow me. It preventeth man not willing, to make him will: and it followeth him willing, that he will not in vain.⁴ With whom Bernard agreeth bringing in the church speaking thus: Draw me in a manner unwilling, that thou mayest make me willing: draw me lying slothful, that thou mayest make me run.

And to this purpose is that sayeng of the▪ Apostle wrongefully