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For Holy Scripture supports the freedom of the will where it says:
"Keep thy heart with all diligence," but the Apostle indicates its
weakness by saying "The Lord keep your hearts and minds in Christ
Jesus." David asserts the power of free will, where he says "I have
inclined my heart to do Thy righteous acts," but the same man in like
manner teaches us its weakness, by praying and saying, "Incline my heart
unto Thy testimonies and not to covetousness:" Solomon also: "The Lord
incline our hearts unto Himself that we may walk in all His ways and keep
His commandments, and ordinances and judgments." The Psalmist denotes
the power of our will, where he says: "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy
lips that they speak no guile," our prayer testifies to its weakness,
when we say: "O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, and keep the door of my
lips." The importance of our will is maintained by the Lord, when we
find "Break the chains of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion:" of its
weakness the prophet sings, when he says: "The Lord looseth them that are
bound:" and "Thou hast broken my chains: To Thee will I offer the sacrifice
of praise." We hear in the gospel the Lord summoning us to come
speedily to Him by our free will: "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will refresh you," but the same Lord testifies to
its weakness, by saying: "No man can come unto Me except the Father which
sent Me draw him." The Apostle indicates our free will by saying: "So
run that ye may obtain:" but to its weakness John Baptist bears witness
where he says: "No man can receive anything of himself, except it be given
him from above." We are commanded to keep our souls with all care, when
the Prophet says: "Keep your souls," but by the same spirit another
Prophet proclaims: "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but
in vain." The Apostle writing to the Philippians, to show that their
will is free, says "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,"
but to point out its weakness, he adds: "For it is God that worketh in you
both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
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