If you understand it of the perfect help of of Grace, which is hindered by no difficulties, but that the infirmity of Nature may be taken away; so the Major is true, but the Minor false. For though I confess that the Riches of Divine Grace are infinite, and that the Gifts are ⟨p. 180⟩excellent, which God bestows upon his own, yet this grace of God doth not so perfect any man in this Life, but that oft in small things we offend all, and pray daily, that our debts 1may be forgiven us. Yea, what is all the discourse of the Saints to God but a continual praying and deprecating, as Hierom witnesses, whereby it extorts the Clemency of the Creator, that we who cannot be saved by our own strength, may be saved by his Mercy. Concerning which there is also heard 2a Mystical Song of the Psalm. For this, saith he, shall every Saint pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found. Whence Hierom infers not without reason. If he is a Saint, saith he, how doth he pray for the pardon of sin? If he hath iniquity, upon what account is he called holy? to wit, after that manner whereby it is elsewhere 3said, A just man falleth seven times a day, and riseth up again. And again, A just man is an accuser of himself in the beginning of his speech, &c. Therefore the Grace of God helps our infirmities, that they may be diminished: But we deny that he so helps them, that they are wholly taken away. It helps indeed infirmities, as hath been said, but yet it leaves us infirm, that it may always help us. No man is ignorant how great power of Christ appeared in the holy Apostles, which yet did not fully complete their strength, but it was rather perfected by their infirmity. We ⟨p. 181⟩know, saith he, in part, and we prophesy in part: But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. We now see darkly through a Glass, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know as I am known.
If you understand it of the perfect help of of Grace, which is hindered by no difficulties, but that the infirmity of Nature may be taken away; so the Major is true, but the Minor false. For though I confess that the Riches of Divine Grace are infinite, and that the Gifts are ⟨p. 180⟩excellent, which God bestows upon his own, yet this grace of God doth not so perfect any man in this Life, but that oft in small things we offend all, and pray daily, that our debts 1may be forgiven us. Yea, what is all the discourse of the Saints to God but a continual praying and deprecating, as Hierom witnesses, whereby it extorts the Clemency of the Creatour, that we who cannot be saved by our own strength, may be saved by his Mercy. Concerning which there is also heard 2a Mystical Song of the Psalm. For this, saith he, shall every Saint pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found. Whence Hierom infers not without reason. If he is a Saint, saith he, how doth he pray for the pardon of sin? If he hath iniquity, upon what account is he called holy? to wit, after that manner whereby it is elsewhere 3said, A just man falleth seven times a day, and riseth up again. And again, A just man is an accuser of himself in the beginning of his speech, &c. Therefore the Grace of God helps our infirmities, that they may be diminished: But we deny that he so helps them, that they are wholly taken away. It helps indeed infirmities, as hath been said, but yet it leaves us infirm, that it may always help us. No man is ignorant how great power of Christ appeared in the holy Apostles, which yet did not fully compleat their strength, but it was rather perfected by their infirmity. We ⟨p. 181⟩know, saith he, in part, and we prophesie in part: But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. We now see darkly through a Glass, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know as I am known.
- 1James 2. Hieron. contraI Pelag. Dial. 3.Iames 2. Hieron. contraI Pelag. Dial. 3.
- 2Psalm 32.
- 3Proverbs 24. Proverbs 28. My strength is perfected in weakness. 2 Cor. 12. 1 Cor. 12.
