The Institution of Christian Religion

They bring also for their defence the continual manner of speaking,§14 that is used both in the Scriptures & in the talk of men. For good works are called ours, and it is no less said that we do the thing that is holy and pleasing to God, than that we commit sins. But if sins be justly imputed to us, as proceeding from us, truly in righteous doings also somewhat by the same reason ought to be assigned unto us. For it were against reason that it should be said that ⟨image 113⟩we do those things, to the doing whereof being unable of our own motion, we are moved by God like sto•es. Therefore though we give the chief part to the grace of God, yet these manners of speaking do show that our endeavour hath also yet a second part. If that thing only were still enforced, that good works are called ours, I would object again,¹ that the bread is called ours, which we pray to have given us of God. What will they get by the title of possession, but that by the bountifulness •nd free gift of God, the same thing becometh ours, which otherwise is not due unto us? Therefore either let them laugh at the same absurdity in the Lords prayer, or let them not reckon this to be laughed at, that good works are called ours, in which we have no property, but by the liberality of God. But this is somewhat stronger, that the Scripture oftentimes affirmeth that we our selves do worship God, obey the law, & apply good works. Sith these are the duties properly belonging to the mind & will: how could it agree that these things are both referred to the holy ghost, and also attributed to us, unless there were a certain communicating of our endeavour with the power of God? Out of these snares we shall easily unwind our selves, if we well consider the manner how the spirit of the Lord worketh in the holy ones. The similitude wherewith they enviously press us is from the purpose, for who is so fond to think that the moving of man differeth nothing from the casting of a stone? Neither doth any such thing follow of our doctrine. We reckon among the natural powers of man, to allow & refuse, to will & not will, to endeavour and to resist, that is, to allow vanity and to refuse perfect goodness, to will evil and to be unwilling to good, to endeavour our selves to wickedness and to resist righteousness. What doth the Lord herein?