{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050468.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050468.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050468.htm","text":"Chapter 13 [XII.]\u2014Grace Causes Us to Do.\nTo him, therefore, who is reluctant to endure the troublesome process, whereby this vaunting disposition is restrained, before he attains to the ultimate and highest perfection of charity, it is most properly said, \u201cMy grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness,\u201d 1811 \u2014in weakness, that is, not of the flesh only, as this man supposes, but both of the flesh and of the mind; because the mind, too, was, in comparison of that last stage of complete perfection, weak, and to it also was assigned, in order to check its elation, that messenger of Satan, the thorn in the flesh; although it was very strong, in contrast with the carnal or animal faculties, which as yet understand not the things of the Spirit of God. 1812 Inasmuch, then, as strength is made perfect in weakness, whoever does not own himself to be weak, is not in the way to be perfected. This grace, however, by which strength is perfected in weakness, conducts all who are predestinated and called according to the divine purpose 1813 to the state of the highest perfection and glory. By such grace it is effected, not only that we discover what ought to be done, but also that we do what we have discovered,\u2014not only that we believe what ought to be loved, but also that we love what we have believed.","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise on the...","type":"page"}