of f Predeflsnation andReprohation. 525 The fourth ufe of this doctrine is this, 4 That it is a fpeciall means to beat down the pride ofman,and to beget in him true humi- lity. For whereas it is the- nature ofman to defire ever to have fomething in himfelf, though never fo fmall , whereby he may feem to have deferved Gods favour before others, or at leaft by merit of congruity to have obteined it ; this doctrine telleth us roundly, that whatfoever good anyofus ei- ther bath or can, it all proceedeth from the fpeciall and freebountyofGod. What man therefore canboaft ofhis own ftrength who is forced to acknowledge that all the good that is in him hath God for its authour, con- ferver and finifher, and that out ofhis fpeci- all good purpofeand love What man can choofe but think meanly of himfelf, and humblehimfelfbeforeGod,who is perfwa- ded that no man, though induedwith ange- licall perfection, can ever attein life ever- laf}ing but by virtueof Gods Predellinati- on Whence S. Auguftine upon that ofthe Pfalmifl, r Sheiv as thy mercy, o Lord, faith r Pfalm.ss thus, Happy is the man to whom God fbeiveth 7 his mercy : He can in no wife be liftedup with pride to whom God fbeweth his mercy. For by 'hewing his mercy unto him, heperfivadeth him that whatfoevergood he bath, he hath itfrom none but himwho is our univerfal' good. And whenbe confidereth that he bath all that he en- joyctb
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