There is a subtle difference between "man's" will and "free" will. Here is an excellent passage by Calvin's on the two. It is rather long but these people sure like to write.
You shall also find that I have taught that which this troublecoast setteth down here to put out the whole light: to wit, that our will is the cause or means to come to salvation. Wherefore it needeth not to allege that Abraham believed God, and that it was imputed unto him for righteousness. For in very truth it must needs be that a man must accept the grace of God. But the question is of knowing what is the first cause. And this is the power of the holy ghost, through which we are drawn to the obedience of God, according as he hath chosen and adopted us for his children before the foundation of the world. Now in this behalf this vile dog showeth sufficiently enough, that he makes no accompt [account] of the holy scripture, the which as much as lies in him, he would abolish or tread under his feet. For in going about to declare how Abraham was saved by his will, he saith that this was of that will which God had put in man creating him after his own image. Whereby he utterly abolisheth the whole grace of the holy ghost: and goeth beyond not only the Papists, but also some of the Painims [pagan, heathen], in the impiety. For the Papists keep such a measure in magnifying their Free will, that they confess, being corrupted and depraved, we can do nothing, if God through his spirit and supernatural grace, do not help, drive and direct us. But concerning the holy scripture, it showeth us, that we shall always be rebels against God, until that he shall have changed and renewed us. And lo why Moyses said to the people <052904>Deuteronomy 29:4, that God had not yet given them an understanding heart, and seeing eyes. And therefore to the end he might be obeyed, he saith, that he would give them a new heart, taking away that stony heart, <243101>Jeremiah 31: <261103>Ezekiel 11:37: and Saint Paul in the second to the Philippians (<503813>Philippians 2:13) say that God giveth both to will and to perform. And in the first of Saint John (<430113>John 1:13) it is said, that they which believe, are not of the will of flesh nor blood: but renewed of god. And Saint Luke speaking of the woman, showeth well, how all are drawn unto faith: to wit, that God openeth the heart, to the end his word may be understood. Now it is certain that these things are not spoken of the common order of nature. And yet this villain dareth allege that which Saint Paul saith in the third Chapter to Titus, that God hath saved us not according to our works, but according to his mercy: to infer upon that, that we have Free will, but not so constant. Now when Saint Paul speaketh in the third to the Romans (<450310>Romans 3:10-18) of the will of man, such as it is by nature, he deciphereth plainly enough, that there is nothing but perversity and malice: as also in the eighth chapter (<450807>Romans 8:7) he saith, that all our thoughts are enmities to God. Mark then how this agreeth with that which this troublecoast chatteth, saying that God renewed us, after that we have consented to his calling. And he is not ashamed to allege to the same purpose the fifth to the Ephesians, where he speaketh thereof as of the fables of Marlin: but contrariwise he saith in the same epistle: (<490201>Ephesians 2:1, 2) When you were dead in your sins, and the captives of Satan, and that ye were the children of wrath as others, God hath quickened you, etc. And in Ephesians 1, he showeth well, that faith and regeneration proceeded from no other thing, than Free election. And indeed, it must needs be that God accomplish in us that which he hath spoken by his prophet Esaie, in the sixty-fifth chapter, (<236501>Isaiah 65:1) I appeared unto them, which sought me not. And lo why John Baptist, reproving the rudeness and hardness of his disciples, saith in the third chapter of Saint John, (<430327>John 3:27) No man can receive anything, unless it be given him from heaven. And which is worst, this troubler is not ashamed also to bring this place, that God giveth both to will and to perform, to make us believe, that the grace of God followeth our good will: howsoever it be that Saint Paul in that place without leaving anything to men, would attribute the whole praise of our salvation to God: as he saith in the first chapter (<500106>Philippians 1:6) that he which hath begun the good work of salvation, will finish it. Wherein it must be, that he make the grace of god to come after the tail of Free will.
Now afterwards this troublecoast taketh great pain to prove, that there is a will in man, as though any man had ever denied it. But he should show, that that will is Free to choose good and evil. Now how proveth he it? By the seventh chapter to the Romans, saying that this place cannot be wrested. But herein men may easily judge, how his mind is forward and perverse, seeing that Saint Paul (<450701>Romans 7) declareth there, although his will labored and strived to good, inasmuch as it was regenerated by the spirit of God, yet oftentimes he went but hopping upon one foot. He allegeth a little after the seventh of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, where he speaketh of a man’s will, that hath a daughter to marry. Here is good stuff to found Free will. Concerning the thirtieth of Deuteronomy, where it is said: I set before you this day life and death, choose you: Saint Paul in the tenth to the Romans (<451019>Romans 10:19) giveth a sufficient solution: that is, that Moyses presupposeth that God putteth his word in the heart. And lo why it is said, that this ought to be laid to the gospel. Concerning that of Ecclesiasticus which notwithstanding is Apocrypha, there he speaketh but of the outward doctrine, but the inward grace is a thing apart and by itself, That which is so ill favoredly jumbled together by this troublecoast, that under the shadow that Jesus Christ calleth all those that are heavy laden, he concludeth that grace is given equally to all. But he maketh no reckoning that Jesus Christ after he had preached more excellently than all creatures, saith by and by, that his father must draw them to believe in him. - An Answer to Certain Slander by John Calvin
Harley responded: There is a subtle difference between "man's" will and "free" will. Here is an excellent passage by Calvin's on the two. It is rather long but these people sure like to write.
Sorry to say this, Harley, but I was not commenting on free will, but on infused righteousness. In other words, that man is actually changed inside, not just an external righteousness that is not really ours. We have been talking about Harley being righteous because of God's Spirit. I had thought that Calvin approached the Catholic point of view on that subject. Do you have any comment on that?
On free will, I do disagree with Mr. Calvin. I prefer Augustine and Aquinas.
Regards
Great passage by Calvin, Harley! Thank you so much for posting.