Yet for the better explaining of Bernards meaning in the words before recited, and the assoiling of some scruple that thence might arise, as also for the reconciling of someh speeches of our Saviour, that may seem the one to cross the other: we must understand, thati there is never any seeking on our part, before some proffer on Gods part: ⟨p. 31⟩fork man can by no means prevent Gods work. Now to pass by thosel common lights and helps of nature by God generally afforded unto all, of which the Apostle Paul tom the Athenians, andn the Lycaonians in the Acts; becauseo they never prove effectual in this kind to any purpose ordinarily in any: and to confine our selves to those aids that he offereth and affordeth usually in his Church; which alone in ordinary course are effectual to this end: There is as a twofold vocation; so a twofold disquisition: Asp a twofold vocation on Gods part: an external vocation, in the offer of the means, which doth not always take effect; of which our Saviour,q Many are called, but few chosen: and ran internal vocation, in the blessing accompanying those means, which cannot be without effect; of which the Apostle,s Those that he calleth, he justifieth; and those that he justifieth, he glorifieth. So there ist a twofold disquisition or seeking on our part; an outward seeking (if I may so term it) in the use of the means, the study of them, and pains taking about them, which yet is not always effectual: For,u They shall go to seek the Lord with their sacrifices; but they shall not find him, saith the Prophet: And* Many shall seek to enter, but shall not be able, saith our Saviour. The other inward, xwhen those means by the gracious assistance of Gods Spirit, have wrought thoroughly upon the heart: of which the Psalmist,y Blessed are they, that seek him with their whole heart: and God by the Prophet,z They shall seek me, and find me, because they shall seek me with all their heart. And this is that seeking that Bernard speaketh of; which is ever effectual; and of which our Saviour therefore,a Whosoever seeketh findeth. For none so seek but such as by effectual vocation are found of God before: none so seek, but such as by effectual conversion (the inseparable effect and fruit of such vocation) haveb returned unto God, and so found him in part already.
Yet for the better explaining of Bernards meaning in the words before recited, and the assoiling of some scruple that thence might arise, as also for the reconciling of someh speeches of our Saviour, that may seeme the one to crosse the other: wee must understand, thati there is never any seeking on our part, before some proffer on Gods part: ⟨p. 31⟩fork man can by no meanes prevent Gods worke. Now to passe by thosel common lights and helpes of nature by God generally afforded unto all, of which the Apostle Paul tom the Athenians, andn the Lycaonians in the Acts; becauseo they never prove effectuall in this kinde to any purpose ordinarily in any: and to confine our selves to those aids that hee offereth and affordeth usually in his Church; which alone in ordinary course are effectuall to this end: There is as a twofold vocation; so a twofold disquisition: Asp a twofold vocation on Gods part: an externall vocation, in the offer of the meanes, which doth not alwayes take effect; of which our Saviour,q Many are called, but few chosen: and ran internall vocation, in the blessing accompanying those meanes, which cannot be without effect; of which the Apostle,s Those that hee calleth, he justifieth; and those that hee justifieth, hee glorifieth. So there ist a twofold disquisition or seeking on our part; an outward seeking (if I may so terme it) in the use of the meanes, the studie of them, and paines taking about them, which yet is not alwayes effectuall: For,
- hLuke 11.10. & 13.24.
- iIsaiah. 65.1.Esai. 65.1.
- kPotes query & inveniri: praeven•ri non potes. Bern de dilig. Deo, c. 3. Ad bonum assurgere perfecté non possumus, nisi nos spiritus & praeveniendo exo• tet, & subsequendo confortet. Greg. in Ezech. 10. Nolentem praevenitut velit: volentem subsequitur, ne frustra velit. Aug. Enchir. cap 32.Potes quaeri & inveniri: praeven•ri non potes. Bern de dilig. Deo, c. 3. Ad bonum assurgere perfecté non possumus, nisi nos spiritus & praeveniendo exo• tet, & subsequendo confortet. Greg. in Ezech. 10. Nolentem praevenitut velit: volentem subsequitur, ne frustra velit. Aug. Enchir. cap 32.
- lRom. 1.20. & 2.15.
- mAct. 17.27.
- nAct. 14.17.
- o1 Cor. 1.21. & 2.7, 8, 9.
- pVocatio duplex; externa, interna: sive generalis & specialis: vel communis & peculiaris: Vide Aug. de Corrept. & Grat. c. 7. Drus. Miscell. lib. 2. cap. 2. & Calv. Institut. l. 3. c. 24. §. 7.
