Of free will.
COncerning free will, as it may peraduenture in some case be admitted that men without the grace may doe some outward functions of the law, and keepe some out∣ward obseruaunces or traditions: so as touching thinges spirituall & apperteining to saluation, the strength of man being not regenerate by grace, is so infirme and impotent that he can performe nothing,* 1.1 neither in dooing well nor willing well. Who after he be regenerated by grace may worke and doe wel, but yet in such sort, that still remaineth notwithstanding a great imperfection of flesh, & a perpe∣tuall repugnaunce betwene the flesh and spirit. And thus was the originall Church of the auncient Romanes first instructed. From whome see now howe farre this latter Church of Rome hath degenerated, which holdeth and af∣firmeth, that men without grace may performe the obedi∣ence of the law,* 1.2 & prepare themselues to receaue grace by working, so that those works may be meritorious, and of congruitie obteine grace. Which grace once obteined, then men may (say they) perfectly performe the full obedience of the law, and accomplish those spirituall actions, and workes which God requireth,* 1.3 and so those workes, of cō∣dignitie, deserue euerlasting life. As for the infirmity which still remaineth in nature, that they nothing regarde nor once speake of.