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VVee haue all, (as Esay saith) been as an vncleane thing: and all our righteousnesse, is as filthy and polluted clowtes.
Yea, such is the corruption of our vvic∣ked nature, (by reason of originall sinne re∣ceiued by discent from our first Father A∣dam) that * we are not able of our selues, to thinke any [good] thing, as of our selues: but our sufficiencie, is of God.
And, it is he that worketh in vs, both the * will & the deede; euen of his good plea∣sure.
For, vvee, of our selues, haue neyther li∣bertie nor abilitie to doe the will of God: but are subiect to sinne, and shutte vp vn∣der the burden thereof.
And, euer since that free will hath beene corrupt in our first father Adam, vvee are not able to wil any good thing; except we be holpen by the grace of God.
All manner of euill, we are indeede most prone to practise, and ready to runne into by nature: but it is God onely, that direct∣eth our minde to goodnesse; and giueth vs the grace to doe well.
Yea; all the knowledge that wee haue of Gods holy vvill, and our obedience there∣vnto, commeth onely by the grace and fa∣uour of God towards vs: vvho teacheth vs by his Word; giueth vnderstanding by his Spirit; and frameth our harts, through his gracious assistance, to obey him.
VVee ought therefore, to boast of no∣thing; because vvee haue nothing of our ovvne that is good.
For, the first man Adam, hauing a wic∣ked hart, transgressed, and was ouer-come:
and so are all they that are borne of him.
Vpon which consideration also, of mans infirmitie, through Adams fall, vvee finde that the holy man Esdras, in the 7. chapter of his second Booke, (euen as it were in the anguish of his hart) vehemently cryeth out, saying; O Adam, what hast thou doone? For, in that, that thou hast sinned, thou art not fallen alone; but the fall also redoun∣deth to vs that come of thee.
And; by reason that Adam hath sinned, through his owne free will, (saith S. Augu∣stine,) hee hath thereby cast both himselfe, and all that come of his stocke into neces∣sitie.
So that [now againe] if wee liue well, or that wee vnderstand aright, wee haue it of God: of our selues wee haue nothing but onely sinne; that is within vs.
And surely, deserued paine, [through A∣dams fault,] would bring al men into euer∣lasting death: vnlesse the vndeserued grace of God, [through fayth in Christ] deliue∣red some from it.
Esay, 64, 6,
2, Cor, 3, 5,
Philip, 2, 13,
Augustine.
Gregory.
Musculus.
Caluine.
Cyprian.
2, Esdr. 3, 21
2, Esdr. 7, 48.
Augustine.
Augustine.
Augustine.