{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050357.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050357.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050357.htm","text":"Chapter X.\u2014(21.) To Whom God\u2019s Commandments are Grievous; And to Whom, Not. Why Scripture Says that God\u2019s Commandments are Not Grievous; A Commandment is a Proof of the Freedom Of Man\u2019s Will; Prayer is a Proof of Grace.\nHe next quotes passages to show that God\u2019s commandments are not grievous. But who can be ignorant of the fact that, since the generic commandment is love (for \u201cthe end of the commandment is love,\u201d 1446 and \u201clove is the fulfilling of the law\u201d 1447 ), whatever is accomplished by the operation of love, and not of fear, is not grievous? They, however, are oppressed by the commandments of God, who try to fulfil them by fearing. \u201cBut perfect love casteth out fear;\u201d 1448 and, in respect of the burden of the commandment, it not only takes off the pressure of its heavy weight, but it actually lifts it up as if on wings. In order, however, that this love may be possessed, even as far as it can possibly be possessed in the body of this death, the determination of will avails but little, unless it be helped by God\u2019s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. For as it must again and again be stated, it is \u201cshed abroad in our hearts,\u201d not by our own selves, but \u201cby the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.\u201d 1449 And for no other reason does Holy Scripture insist on the truth that God\u2019s commandments are not grievous, than this, that the soul which finds them grievous may understand that it has not yet received those resources which make the Lord\u2019s commandments to be such as they are commended to us as being, even gentle and pleasant; and that it may pray with groaning of the will to obtain the gift of facility. For the man who says, \u201cLet my heart be blameless;\u201d 1450 and, \u201cOrder Thou my steps according to Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me;\u201d 1451 and, \u201cThy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven;\u201d 1452 and, \u201cLead us not into temptation;\u201d 1453 and other prayers of a like purport, which it would be too long to particularize, does in effect offer up a prayer for ability to keep God\u2019s commandments. Neither, indeed, on the one hand, would any injunctions be laid upon us to keep them, if our own will had nothing to do in the matter; nor, on the other hand, would there be any room for prayer, if our will were alone sufficient. God\u2019s commandments, therefore, are commended to us as being not grievous, in order that he to whom they are grievous may understand that he has not as yet received the gift which removes their grievousness; and that he may not think that he is really performing them, when he so keeps them that they are grievous to him. For it is a cheerful giver whom God loves. 1454 Nevertheless, when a man finds God\u2019s commandments grievous, let him not be broken down by despair; let him rather oblige himself to seek, to ask, and to knock.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise Concer...","type":"page"}