Hence I often make many good purposes; but because I want grace to help my weakness, through a slight resistance, I recoil and fall off.
Hence it comes to pass, that I know the way to perfection, and see clearly enough what it is I ought to do;
But being pressed down with the weight of my own corruption, I rise not to those things which are more perfect.
4. O how exceedingly necessary is thy grace for me, O Lord, to begin that which is good, to go forward with it, and to accomplish it? For without it I can do nothing: but I can do all things in thee, when thy grace strengthens me.
O truly heavenly grace, without which we have no merits of our own, neither are any of the gifts of nature to be valued!
No arts, no riches, no beauty or strength, no wit or eloquence, are of any worth with thee, O Lord, without grace;
For the gifts of nature are common to the good and bad: but grace or divine love is the proper gift of the elect, which they that are adorned with are esteemed worthy of eternal life.
This grace is so excellent, that neither the gift of prophecy, nor the working of miracles, nor any speculation, how sublime soever, is of any value without it.
Nor even faith, nor hope, nor any other virtues, are acceptable to thee, without charity and grace.