Question 8

But are we so corrupt, that we are not at all fit to do well, and are wee prone to all vice?

Yea: except we be regenerated by the holie Ghost.^a

The vse

The vse and end of this knowledg and doctrin is this, not to increase in vs slouthfulnes, but that we vnderstanding, how by originall sinnes wee are bereaued of al power to vnderstand, to wil and to worke aright, and also, hemmed in on every side, with most miserable necessitie, may learn notwithstanding, to long after that good, whereof wee are voyde, and after that libertie which we haue lost, and therefore to heare the word of God, whereby our iudgment may be reformed, to craue the guift of the holy Ghost, that wee may learne the commandements of God, and that he would make of our stonie hart a fleshie hart, and giue vnto vs strength, as Augustine very wel aduiseth about this matter: O Man (saith he) by the commandement, know what thou oughtest to haue, by correction learne, that by thine own fault thou hast it not, by prayer vnderstand from whence thou must receaue that which thou desirest to haue. So wil it come to passe, that thy mind being enlightened, shal iudg aright, thy hart being reformed by the hand of God, shalbe made willing, & man according to the measure of grace which he hath receiued, shall indeuour and applie all his powers, and all his strength vnto obedience.^b