Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series I/Volume V/On the Predestination of the Saints/Book I/Chapter 21

by Philip Schaff et al.

Chapter 21.—It is to Be Wondered at that Men Should Rather Trust to Their Own Weakness Than to God’s Strength.

Certainly, when the apostle says, “Therefore it is of faith that the promise may be sure according to grace,”^[1] I marvel that men would rather entrust themselves to their own weakness, than to the strength of God’s promise. But sayest thou, God’s will concerning myself is to me uncertain? What then? Is thine own will concerning thyself certain to thee? and dost thou not fear,—“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”?^[2] Since, then, both are uncertain, why does not man commit his faith, hope, and love to the stronger will rather than to the weaker?

Footnotes

1. Rom. iv. 16.
2. 1 Cor. x. 12.