Canon
CXI.
That
the grace of God not only gives remission of sins, but also affords aid that we
sin no more.
Likewise it seemed good, that whoever
should say that the grace of God, by which a man is justified through Jesus
Christ our Lord, avails only for the remission of past sins, and not for
assistance against committing sins in the future, let him be anathema.
Ancient
Epitome of Canon CXI.
Whoever
is of opinion that the grace of God only gives remission of those sins we have
already committed, and does not afford aid against sin in the future, is to be
twice execrated.
Canon
CXII.
That
the grace of Christ gives not only the knowledge of our duty, but also inspires
us with a desire that we may be able to accomplish what we know.
Also, whoever shall say that the same grace of God
through Jesus Christ our Lord helps us only in not sinning by revealing to us
and opening to our understanding the commandments, so that we may know what to
seek, what we ought to avoid, and also that we should love to do so, but that
through it we are not helped so that we are able to do what we know we should
do, let him be anathema. For when the Apostle says: "Wisdom puffeth up,
but charity edifieth" it were truly infamous were we to believe that we
have the grace of Christ for that which puffeth us up, but have it not for that
which edifieth, since in each case it is the gift of God, both to know what we
ought to do, and to love to do it; so that wisdom cannot puff us up while
charity is edifying us. For as of God it is written, "Who teacheth man
knowledge," so also it is written, "Love is of God."
Notes.
Ancient
Epitome of Canon CXII.
Whoever
says that the grace of God is given to us only that we may know what we ought
to do and what to flee from, but not also that we may love the thing known, and
be able to accomplish it, let him be anathema.
Canon
cxi. is Canon iij. of Carthage, a.d.
418, and Canon cxii. is Canon iv. of the same synod.
Canon
CXIII.
That
without the grace of God we can do no good thing.
It seemed good that whosoever should say that the
grace of justification was given to us only that we might be able more readily
by grace to perform what we were ordered to do through our free will; as if
though grace was not given, although not easily, yet nevertheless we could even
without grace fulfil the divine commandments, let him be anathema. For the Lord
spake concerning the fruits of the commandments, when he said: "Without me
ye can do nothing," and not "Without me ye could do it but with
difficulty."
Notes.
Ancient
Epitome of Canon CXIII.
Whoso
preaches that without grace we could keep the commandments although with
difficulty, is to be thrice execrated. For the Lord says, "Without me ye
can do nothing."
This is Canon V. of Carthage, a.d. 418. (NPNF2 14:497-98)
