§. X.
Testimonies of the Fathers, concerning Perfection, or Freedom from Sin.But this may suffice: Concerning this Possibility Jerome speaks clearly enough, Lib. 3. adver. Pelagium, “This we also say, that a Man may not sin, if he will, for a Time and Place, according to his bodily Weakness, so long as his Mind is intent, so long as the Cords of the Cithara relax not by any Vice;” Jerome.and again in the same Book, “Which is that that I said, that it is put in our Power (to wit, being helped by the Grace of God) either to sin or not to sin.” For this was the Error of Pelagius, which we indeed reject and abhor, and which the Fathers deservedly withstood, “That Man by his natural Strength, without the Help of God’s Grace, could attain to that State so as not to sin.” Augustine.And Augustine himself, a great Opposer of the Pelagian Heresy, did not deny this Possibility as attainable by the Help of God’s Grace, as in his Book de Spiritu & Literâ, Cap. 2. and his Book de Naturâ & Gratiâ against Pelagius, Cap. 42, 50, 60, and 63. de Gestis Concilii Palæstini, Cap. 7. & 2. and de Peccato Originali, Lib. 2. Cap. 2. Gelasius.Gelasius also, in his Disputation against Pelagius, saith, “But if any affirm that this may be given to some Saints in this Life, not by the Power of Man’s Strength, but by the Grace of God, he doth well to think so confidently, and hope it faithfully; for by this Gift of God all Things are possible.” That by the Gift of God all Things are possible.That this was the common Opinion of the Fathers, appears from the Words of the Aszansic Council, Canon the last, “We believe also this according to the Catholick Faith, that all who are baptized through Grace by Baptism received, and Christ helping them, and co-working, may and ought to do whatsoever belongs to Salvation, if they will faithfully labour.”