Page:Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent Buckley.djvu/70

38 good work: or, which is still more insupportable, that he merits eternal punishments; as also those who state, that the just sin in all their works, if in those [works] they, in order to stimulate their own sloth, and to encourage themselves to run in the course, besides this chief aim, that God be glorified, regard also the eternal reward; whereas it is written, I have inclined my heart to do all thy justifications for the reward: and, concerning Moses, the Apostle saith, that he had respect unto the reward.

No one, moreover, so long as he exists in this mortal state, ought so far to presume concerning the secret mystery of divine predestination, as to determine for certain that he is assuredly in the number of the predestinated; as if it were true, that he who is justified, either cannot sin any more, or if he do sin, that he ought to promise himself a certain repentance; for except by a special revelation, it cannot be known whom God hath chosen unto Himself.

In like manner touching the gift of perseverance, of which it is written, He that shall endure to the end, he shall be saved, —which [gift] cannot indeed be obtained from any other save Him, who is able to establish him who standeth, that he stand perseveringly, and to restore him who falleth:—let no one promise himself anything as certain with absolute certainty; though all ought to place and repose the most firm hope in God's help. For God, unless men themselves be wanting to His grace, as he has begun the good work, so will he perfect it, working [in them] to will and to do. Nevertheless, let those who think they stand, take heed lest they fall, and, with fear and trembling work out their