42. Wherefore let this be the
first thought for the putting on of humility, that God’s virgin
think not that it is of herself that she is such, and not rather
that this best “gift cometh down from above from the Father of
Lights, with Whom is no change nor shadow of motion.”2172
For thus
she will not think that little hath been
forgiven her, so as for
her to
love little, and, being ignorant of the
righteousness of
God, and wishing to establish her own, not to be made subject to
the
righteousness of
God. In which fault was that
Simon who was
surpassed by the
woman, unto whom many
sins were
forgiven, because
she
loved much. But she will have more cautious and true thoughts,
that we are so to account all
sins as though
forgiven, from which
God keeps us that we
commit them not. Witnesses are those
expressions of pious prayers in holy Scriptures, whereby it is
shown, that those very things, which are commanded by
God, are not
done
save by His
Gift and help, Who commands. For there is a
falsehood in the asking for them, if we could do them without the
help of His
grace. What is there so generally and chiefly charged,
as obedience whereby the
Commandments of
God are kept? And yet we
find this wished for. “Thou,” saith he, “hast charged, that
Thy
commandments be greatly kept.” Then it follows, “O that my
ways were directed to keep Thy righteousnesses: then shall I not be
confounded, whilst I look unto all Thy
commandments.”
2173
That which
he had set down above that
God had commanded, that he wished might
of himself be fulfilled. This is done assuredly, that there be not
sin; but, if there hath been
sin, the command is that one
repent;
lest by
defense and excuse of
sin he
perish through
pride, who hath
done it, whilst he is
unwilling that what he hath done
perish
through repentance. This also is asked of
God, so that it may be
understood that it is not done,
save by His grant from Whom it is
asked. “Set,” saith he, “O
Lord, a watch to my mouth, and a
door of continence around my
lips: let not my
heart turn away unto
evil words, to make excuses in
sins, with men that
work
unrighteousness.”
2174
If, therefore, both obedience,
whereby we keep His
commandments, and repentance whereby we excuse
not our
sins, are wished for and asked, it is plain that, when it
is done, it is by His
gift that it is
possessed, by His help that
it is fulfilled, yet more openly is it said by reason of obedience,
“By the Lord the steps of a man are directed, and He shall will
His way:”
2175
and of
repentance the Apostle says, “if haply God may grant unto them
repentance.”
2176
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