The doctrine of this Article we find asserted in many of the antient fathers, and particularly in Ambrose, who, in speaking of the effects of the fall, uses these words: "Thence was derived mortality, and no less a multitude of miseries than of crimes. Faith being lost, hope being abandoned, the understanding blinded, and the will made captive, no one found in himself the means of repairing these things. Without the worship of the true God, even that which seems to be virtue is sin; nor can any one please God without God. But whom does he please who does not please God, except himself and Satan? The nature, therefore, which was good, is made bad by habit: man would not return, unless God turned him (n)."-And Cyprian says, "We pray day and night that the sanctification and enlivening, which springs from the grace of God, may be preserved by his protection.”— Dr. Nicholls, after quoting many authorities to shew that the doctrine of divine grace always prevailed in the catholic church, adds, "I have spent, perhaps, more time in these Testimonies than was absolutely necessary; but whatever I have done is to shew that the doctrine of divine grace is so essential a doctrine of Christianity, that not only the Holy Scriptures and the primitive fathers assert it, but likewise that the (n) Amb. de Voc. Gent. lib. 1. cap 3. the Christians could not in any age maintain their religion without it, it being necessary, not only for the discharge of Christian duties, but for the performance of our ordinary devotions." And this seems to have been the opinion of the compilers of our most excellent liturgy, in many parts (0) of which both a preventing and a cooperating grace is unequivocally acknowledged. This assistance of divine grace is not inconsistent with the free-agency of men; it does not place them under an irresistible restraint, or compel them to act contrary to their will. Though human nature is greatly depraved, yet every good disposition is not totally extinguished, nor is all power of right action entirely annihilated. Men may, therefore, make some spontaneous, though feeble, attempt to act conformably to their duty, which will be promoted and rendered effectual by the co-operation of God's grace; or the grace of God may so far prevent our actual endeavours, as to awaken and dispose us to our duty; but yet, not in such a degree that we cannot withstand its influence. In either case our own exertions are necessary (0) Particularly in the second collect for the Evening Service; in the fourth collect at the end of the Communion Service; in the collect for Easterday; in the collect for the fifth Sunday after Easter; in the collects for the third, ninth, seventeenth, nineteenth, and twenty-fifth, Sundays after Trinity. necessary to enable us to work out our own salvation, but our sufficiency for that purpose is from God. It is, however, impossible to ascertain the precise boundary between our natural efforts and the divine assistance, whether that assistance be considered as a co-operating or a preventing grace. Without destroying our character as free and accountable beings, God may be mercifully pleased to counteract the depravity of our hearts by the suggestions of his spirit, but still it remains with us to choose whether we will listen to those suggestions, or ob ey the lusts of the flesh. It becomes us to speak with humility and diffidence concerning the extent of divine grace: we only know, in general, that God will not subject us to greater temptations and trials than we are able to bear. If we cherish our good dispositions, and feel a sincere desire to be virtuous, we may rest assured that he will, by the communication of his grace, help our infirmities, invigorate our resolutions, and supply our defects. The promises that "if we draw nigh to God, God will draw nigh to us, and pour out his spirit upon us (p);" and that "he will give his Holy Spirit to every one that asketh him (q);" imply that God is ever ready to forward our progress and continuance in well-doing through (p) James, c. 4. v. 8. Acts, c. 2. v. 17. the the powerful, though invisible, operation of his spirit: "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit (r)." The joint agency of God and man, in the work of human salvation, is pointed out in the following passage: "Let us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure (s);" and therefore we may assure ourselves that free-will and grace are not incompatible, though the mode and degree of their co-operation be utterly inexplicable. The doctrine of this Article has been the subject of much dispute among Christians; some sects contend for the irresistible impulses of grace, and others reject the idea of any influence of the divine spirit upon the human mind. The former opinion seems irreconcileable with the freeagency of man, and the latter contradicts the authority of Scripture; "And therefore, let us neither ascribe nothing to free-will, nor too much; let us not with the defenders of irresistible grace, deny free-will, or make it of no effect, not only before, but even under, grace; nor let us suffer the efficacy of saving grace, on the other hand, to be swallowed up in the strength (r) John, c. 3. v.8. (s) Phil. c. 2. v. 12 & 13. and and freedom of our wills; but allowing the government or superiority to the grace of God, let the will of man be admitted to be its handmaid, but such an one as is free, and freely obeys; by which, when it is freely excited by the admonitions of preventing grace, when it is prepared as to its affections, strengthened and assisted as to its powers and faculties, a man freely and willingly co-operates with God, that the grace of God be not received in vain (t)."-" All men are also to be admonished, and chiefly preachers, that in this high matter, they, looking on both sides, so temper and moderate themselves, that they neither so preach the grace of God that they take away thereby free-will, nor on the other side so extol free will, that injury be done to the grace of God (u)."" Thus do the doctrine of divine grace, and the doctrine of free-will or human liberty, unite and conspire, in a friendly manner, to our everlasting good. The first is adapted to excite in us gratitude, faith, and humility; the second to awaken our caution and quicken our diligence (a)." (t) Veneer. (u) Necessary Doctrine; supposed to be written by Archbishop Cranmer. (x) Jortin. |