The Institution of Christian Religion

but that he neither hath done so at any time, nor will do, because he hath otherwise affirmed in the Scriptures. And that do I also not deny. But I add further, that it is inconvenient to dispute of his power against his truth, and that therefore this sentence is not subject to cavillations if a man should say, that that thing is impossible to be, whereof the Scriptures do pronounce that it shall not be. But if they dispute of the word: when the Disciples asked the lord,¹ who may be saved, he answered: with men in deed it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Also Augustine with a most strong reason stiffly defendeth, that in this flesh we never yield to God the due love that we owe him. Love (saith he) so followeth knowledge, that no man can perfectly love God, but he that hath first fully known his goodness. We, while we wander in this world, see by a glass and in a dark speech: it followeth therefore, that our love is unperfect. Let this therefore remain out of controversy, that in this flesh it is impossible to fulfil the law,² if we behold the weakness of our own nature, as it shall yet also in an other place be proved by Paul.

but that he neither hath done so at any time, nor wil do, bicause he hath otherwise affirmed in the Scriptures. And yt do I also not denie. But I adde further, that it is incōueniēt to dispute of his power against his truthe, and that therfore this sentence is not subiect to cauillations if a man should saye, that that thing is impossible to be, wherof the Scriptures do pronounce that it shal not be. But if thei dispute of the word: when the Disciples asked ye lord,¹ who may be saued, he answered: with men in deede it is impossible, but with God al things are possible. Also Augustine with a most strōg reason stiffly defendeth, that in this flesh we neuer yelde to God the due loue that we owe him. Loue (saith he) so foloweth knowledge, that no man can perfectly loue God, but he that hath first fully knowē his goodnesse. We, while we wāder in this world, see by a glasse and in a darke speach: it foloweth therfore, that our loue is vnperfect. Let this therefore remaine out of controuersie, that in this flesh it is impossible to fulfil the law,