Labour And Grace

Aiunt itaque non posse ad purum quempiam carnalibus vitiis emundari, nisi universum laborem suum atque conatum ac tantae perfectionis finem intellexerit non posse sufficere; nec eam, nisi miseratione Dei et adjutorio comprehendi, non tam tradentis institutione, quam affectu atque virtute et experimentis propriis eruditus agnoscat. Ad capessenda namque tam magnifica tamque praecelsa puritatis et integritatis praemia, quantuslibet jejuniorum, vigiliarum, lectionis et solitudinis acremotionis labor fuerit impensus, condignus esse non poterit, qui haec industriae suae merito, vel laboris, obtineat. Numquam enim divinum munus labor propriis humanave compensabit industria, nisi desiderant divina fuerit miseratione concessum. Nec hoc dico, ut humanos conatus evacuans, ab industria et laboris intentione quempiam revocare contendam. Sed plane constantissime non mea, sed seniorum sententia definio perfectionem quidem sine his omnino capi non posse; his autem solis sine gratia Dei posse eam a nemine consummari. Ut enim dicimus conatus humanos apprehendere eam per seipsos sine adjutorio Dei non posse, ita pronuntiamus laborantibus tantum ac desudantibus misericordiam Dei gratiamque conferri, et, ut verbis Apostoli loquar, volentibus et currentibus impartiri, secundum illud quod etiam in Psalmo octogesimo octavo ex persona Dei cantatur: Posui adjutorium in potente, et exaltavi electum de plebe mea. Dicimus enim secundum Salvatoris sententiam dari quidem petentibus, et aperiri pulsantibus, et a quaerentibus inveniri; sed petitionem, et inquisitionem, et pulsationem nostram non esse condignam, nisi misericordia Dei id quod petimus dederit, vel aperuerit quod pulsamus, vel illud quod quaerimus fecerit inveniri. Praesto est namque occasione sibi tantummodo a nobis bonae voluntatis oblata, ad haec omnia conferenda. Amplius enim ille quam nos, perfectionem salutemque nostram desiderat et exspectat. Et in tantum beatus David proventum sui operis ac laboris propria tantum industria non posse noverat obtineri: ut a Domino promereri directionem suorum operum iterata prece deposceret, dicens: Et opera manuum nostrarum dirige super nos, et opus manuum nostrarum dirige. Et rursum: Confirma hoc Deus quod operatus es in nobis. Sanctus Ioannes Cassianus, De Coenobiorum Institutis, Liber XII Caput XIII-XIV, De Spiritu Superbiae Source: Migne PL 49.442a-448a

Thus they say that it is not possible that anyone can be purified from carnal vices unless he has understood that all his labours and efforts are insufficient for such a perfect end, and unless he recognises it can only be gained by the mercy and help of God, and not by any system handed down, but by his feelings and virtues and his own experience. For in order to acquire such magnificent and lofty prizes of purity and perfection, however great may be the exertions of fasts and vigils and readings and solitude and withdrawal, they will not be worth enough to obtain the merits of the efforts and toil. For human labour and efforts will never make up for the lack of the Divine gift, unless they desire what is granted by Divine compassion. I do not say this to make human efforts vain, or to attempt to turn any one away from his intention of exerting himself and working, but with the opinion of the elders and not my own, I clearly and most earnestly declare that perfection cannot possibly be gained without these things, yet with them alone and not the grace of God nobody can attain it. For when we say that human efforts cannot by themselves obtain it without the aid of God, we thus announce that God's mercy and grace are bestowed only upon those who labour and toil, and granted, to use the Apostle's expression, only to those who are eager to run, 1 according to which it is sung in the person of God in the eighty-eighth Psalm, 'I have laid help upon one that is mighty, and have exalted one chosen from my people.' 2 For we say, in accordance with the words of the Saviour, that it is given to those who ask, and opened to those who knock and found by those who seek, 3 but that our asking and seeking and the knocking are not enough unless the mercy of God gives what is asked, and opens what we knock at, and makes discoverable what we seek. For He is ready to give all these things to us, if only the occasion is given by our good will. Indeed He desires and hopes for our perfection and salvation far more than we do. The blessed David knew very well that he could not obtain such an increase of his work and labour by his own efforts, and so asked with renewed prayers that he might obtain the direction of his work from the Lord, saying, 'Direct the work of our hands over us, the work of our hands direct.' And again, 'Confirm, O God, what you have wrought in us.' 4 Saint John Cassian, The Institutes of the Coenobia, Book 12, Chapters 13-14, On Pride 1 Cor 9.24 2 Ps 88.20 3 Mt 7.7 4. Ps 89.17, Ps 67.29