{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050481.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050481.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050481.htm","text":"Chapter 26 [XXV.]\u2014The Pelagian Grace of \u201cCapacity\u201d Exploded. The Scripture Teaches the Need of God\u2019s Help in Doing, Speaking, and Thinking, Alike.\nLet Pelagius, therefore, cease at last to deceive both himself and others by his disputations against the grace of God. It is not on account of only one of these three 1849 \u2014that is to say, of the \u201ccapacity\u201d of a good will and work\u2014that the grace of God towards us ought to be proclaimed; but also on account of the good \u201cwill\u201d and \u201cwork\u201d themselves. This \u201ccapacity,\u201d indeed, according to his definition, avails for both directions; and yet our sins must not also be attributed to God in consequence, as our good actions, according to his view, are attributed to Him owing to the same capacity. It is not only, therefore, on this account that the help of God\u2019s grace is maintained, because it assists our natural capacity. He must cease to say, \u201cThat we are able to do, say, think any good, is from Him who has given us this ability, and who also assists this ability; whereas that we really do a good thing, or speak a good word, or think a good thought, proceeds from our own selves.\u201d He must, I repeat, cease to say this. For God has not only given us the ability and aids it, but He further works in us \u201cto will and to do.\u201d 1850 It is not because we do not will, or do not do, that we will and do nothing good, but because we are without His help. How can he say, \u201cThat we are able to do good is of God, but that we actually do it is of ourselves,\u201d when the apostle tells us that he \u201cprays to God\u201d in behalf of those to whom he was writing, \u201cthat they should do no evil, but that they should do that which is good?\u201d 1851 His words are not, \u201cWe pray that ye be able to do nothing evil;\u201d but, \u201cthat ye do no evil.\u201d Neither does he say, \u201cthat ye be able to do good;\u201d but, \u201cthat ye do good.\u201d Forasmuch as it is written, \u201cAs many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God,\u201d 1852 it follows that, in order that they may do that which is good, they must be led by Him who is good. How can Pelagius say, \u201cThat we are able to make a good use of speech comes from God; but that we do actually make this good use of speech proceeds from ourselves,\u201d when the Lord declares, \u201cIt is the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you\u201d? 1853 He does not say, \u201cIt is not you who have given to yourselves the power of speaking well;\u201d but His words are, \u201cIt is not ye that speak.\u201d 1854 Nor does He say, \u201cIt is the Spirit of your Father which giveth, or hath given, you the power to speak well;\u201d but He says, \u201cwhich speaketh in you.\u201d He does not allude to the motion 1855 of \u201cthe capacity,\u201d but He asserts the effect of the co-operation. How can this arrogant asserter of free will say, \u201cThat we are able to think a good thought comes from God, but that we actually think a good thought proceeds from ourselves\u201d? He has his answer from the humble preacher of grace, who says, \u201cNot that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.\u201d 1856 Observe he does not say, \u201cto be able to think anything;\u201d but, \u201cto think anything.\u201d\nSee 2 Cor. xiii. 7.\n226:1852 226:1853 226:1854 226:1855 226:1856","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise on the...","type":"page"}