Calling And Choosing

Multi vocati; pauci vero electi. Quatuor sunt vocationes, duae electiones. Prima vocatio est naturae de utero ad lucem; de qua propheta: Dominus vocavit me ab utero. Secunda gratiae, de qua Apostolus: Videte, fratres, vocationem vestram, quia non multi nobiles. Et quos praedestinavit, hos et vocavit. Tertia solutionis, de qua idem Apostolus: Sequor ad bravium supernae vocationis in Christo Jesu. Inde et dies mortis dictus est vocationis. Quarta retributionis, de qua Propheta: Advocavit coelum desursum, et terram discernere populum suum. Multi ergo vocati sunt, pauci vero electi. Multi voacti ad fidem, pauci electi ad justificationem. Multi vocati ad laborem, pauci electi ad requiem. Multi vocati ad judicium, pauci electi ad regnum. Hugo De Sancte Victore, Miscellanea, Liber V, Tit XXXIII, De quatuor vocationibus et duabus electionibus Source: Migne PL 177.764a-b

'Many are called, few are chosen.' 1 There are four callings, and two choosings. The first calling is of nature, from the womb to the light, concerning which the Prophet says, 'The Lord called me from the womb.' 2 The second calling is of grace, concerning which the Apostle says, 'See, brothers, your calling, because none of you are noble.' And 'Those he predestined, those he called.' 3 The third calling is that of dissolution, about which the Apostle says, 'I follow for the prize, the heavenly calling in Jesus Christ.' 4 Hence even the day of death is called a calling. Of the fourth calling the prophet says. 'He called heaven above and earth to look on His people.' 5 Therefore many are called and few are chosen, because many are called to the faith but few are chosen for justification, and many are called to labour but few are chosen for rest, and many are called to judgement but few are chosen for the kingdom. Hugh Of Saint Victor, Miscellanea, Book 5, Chapter 33, On The Four Callings and the Two Choosings 1 Mt 22.14 2 Isaiah 49.1 3 1 Cor 1.26, Rom 8.30 4 Philip 3.14 5 Ps 49.4