OF REGE do, is so-suitable unto the rational principles of a well- disposed mind, that to do otherwise, is the greatest folly and madness in the world. Especially will this work of conversion be unquestionably wrought, if the application of these meansof it, be so disposed in the providence of God, as that they may be seasonable, with respect unto the frame and condition of the mind whereinto they are applied. And as sundry things are necessary to render the means of grace thus seasonable and congruous unto the present frame,, temper, and disposition of the mind, no in such a congruity much of its efficacy doth consist. And this, as it is said, is the work of the Holy Ghost, and an effect of the grace of God: for if the Spirit of God did not, by the word, prevent, excite, stir up, and provoke the minds of men; did he not help and assist them, when endeavouring to turn to God, in the re- moval of prejudices, and all sorts of moral impediments, men would continue and abide, as it were, dead in tres- passes and sins, at least their endeavours after deliver- ance would be weak and fruitless. Sect. 22. ° This is all the grace, all the work of the Spirit of God in -our regeneration and conversion, which some will acknowledge, so far as I can learn from their writings and discourses. But that there is more requir- ed thereunto, I have before declared. As also, it bath been manifested what is the true and proper use and ef- ficacy ofthese means in this work. But to place the whole of it herein, is that which Pelagius contended for of old; yea, he granted a greater use and efficacy of grace, than I can find to be allowed in the present con- fused discourses of some on this subject.-f Wherefore it * Hocpiarum °wedeln est, ut nihil sib; tribuant, sed totem Gratia Dei; onde quan:.umconque atiquis dot Gratis Dei, etiamsi subtrahat po- testati nat,rm aut liberi arbitrii apietase non recedit; cum taro °liquid ; Gratis Dei snbtrahitur et Natura tribuitur quod Gratis es ibi potent periculum intervenire Cassander. lib. Consult. Art. 68. } Pelagi na her is quo dognate Catholicam fidem destruere adonta sit, et quibus impietatue venenis viscera Ecclesia otque ipsa vitali° cor- poris Christi voluerit occupare, notiere sont guava ut opere Naratiosis iotigeant Ex his tomes una est blesphemiá, nequissimnm et subtitisi- mu nt cn °liar n, qua dicu Gratiam Dei secundum maim borri. m duri. Cam coins primo tontom natura hmnana volloet astrnere senitatem ut per solum libernm arbitrium posent'assegni Dei regnon; co quad tam plum; ipso conditionis sum prssidío juväretur; nt habeas nun- rinite rationaleot intellectual facile bonum eligeret melumque vitaret. Et ubi in umagoe parte libera assent opera roluntatis, non facnttetem his qui mali sent decsse, sed stadium. Cum erge ut di.xi totem jnstitiam boutmis, re naturali vcllent rcctitudine srpossibilitate subsistere, atque NERATION. 181 is somewhat preposterous to endeavour an imposition of.. such rotten errors upon the minds of men, and that by: crudeassertions, without any pretence of proof, as is the way of many. And that the sole foundation of all their harangues, namely, the suitableness of gospel -prin- ciples and promises unto our wisdom and reason, antece- dently untoany saving work of the Spirit on our minds, is directly contradictory to the doctrine of our apostle, shall afterwards be declared. But it may be it will be said, that it is not so much what is Pelagian, and what is not, as what is truth, and what is not, that is to be inquired after. And it is granted, that this is and ought to be our first and principal inquiry. But it is notunusea ful to know in whose steps they tread, wbo at this day oppose the doctrine of the effectual grace of Christ; and what judgment the ancient church made of their princi- ples and opinions. Sect. 23. It is pretended yet further, that grace in the dispensation of the word doth work really and efñ, cieatly, especially by illumination, internal excitations of the mind and affections; and if thereon the will do put forth its act, and thereby determine itself in the choice of that which is good, in believing and repenting; then the grace thus administered concurs with it, helps and aids it in the perfectingof its act; so that the whole work is of grace. So pleaded the Semi-pelagians,.and so do others continue to do. But all this while, the way whereby grace, or the Spirit of God, worketh this illumination, excites the affections, and aids the will; is by moral persuasion only, no real strength being com- municated or infused, but what the will is at perfect li- berty to make use of or to refuse at pleasure. Now, this in effect is unless than to overthrow the whole grace of Jesus Christ, and to render it useless. For it ascribes unto man the honour of his conversion, his will being the principal cause of it. It makes a manto beget him- heno definitioaem doctrina sana respeten; damnatum a Cathoticis sen- sual et muftis poste° haretics fraudis v rietatibns coloratura, hoc aped se ingenio servaverunt, ut ad incipiendum .et ad proficiendum, et ad pew andum aboro nt m hom ni Dei Gratiam prefitereer. Sed in professionegnomodo case.Ira molirentururepere, ipsa Dei Gra- ta vosis misericordia, revetavit. t,,tellectum est enitn, saluberrimeque petspectum hoc Mecum cos de Gratia confiteri, quod muedem libero Ar- bitrio fit Magistre, seque per cohortotionos, per Legém,per Dogtrinam, per Crcatumm, per Contemplotionem,per Miracdlaa, porque terrores ex- ainsecns judicio ejes ostendat; quo unusquisque secundum Volantatis sum medulla, siqurefierii i ties; si peticri; recapát; si pelsaverit in- troeat.Prosp. ad Ruffin. de lib.Arbit
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