Vol. 2

CHAPTER XIII. 199that which God would otherwise perform in us.Howgood is it to resign ourselves up entirely to his Spirit,avoiding equally presumption and negligence ! TheHoly Ghost does in us whatever he enables us to do ;and is,at that time, the principle and author of ourwords, desir&«;, and good works. So that every goodaction, every good inclination of the will,and everygood use of the tongue, ought to be attributed toihe Holy Spirit.Not that each of these is not alsoa free act of the will of man, but because it is gracealone which is the principal cause, which goes before,excites, heals, applies, and puts the will in motion." 12. Now the brother shall betray the brotherto death, and the father the son; and children shallriseup against their parents, and shall cause them tobe put todeath."Faith gives us as many fathers, children, brethren,and sisters, as there are Christians : infidelity changeseven those whom nature has given us into enemies,betrayers, and executioners. But all this does notaffect him to whom God is all things. The temptationthe most dangerous, and most sensible to nature,is that which arises from our kindred and rela»tions : but it is in this very thing that the triumphof grace appears more illustrious, in breaking thestrongest and dearest ties, in order to unite us entirelyto God alone." 13. And ye shall be hated of all men for myname's sake:the same shall be saved."but he that shall endure unto the end,Faith and charity join us in the closest union withstrangersand the most barbarous people: infidelity andhatred break even the strictest ties of nature.Happy