Reason 11: nature's analogy; Orange II; Ambrose/Prosper; Luther; vineyard; ask, seek, knock
So the Second Council of Orange, chapter 6: "If anyone," it says, "says that mercy is conferred on those who believe, will, desire, and strive without God's grace, and does not confess that it is brought about in us from heaven that we believe and will, by the infusion and inspiration of the Holy Spirit — let him be anathema." So either Ambrose or Prosper of Aquitaine, On the calling of the Gentiles book 2 chapter 9: "Let one come to God with God as guide," he says: "it is necessary that we are not even fit to think what is spiritual except through God's grace." So also Luther on John chapter 16: "The matter," he says, "is not handled that way, nor are there so many who have the Holy Spirit and understanding as many invent for themselves — as is clear from this, that although Scripture is had and heard, still the Holy Spirit's revelation is required, which applies light to such reading and hearing, which the intellect follows: though it is true that the Holy Spirit does not effect this without preaching and instruction." See the same in German volume 4 p. 140 and volume 8 folio 134.
XI. From nature's testimony, which by a certain analogy is offered for our opinion. For (1) if wheat is to spring up in a field, first of all a field is required as patient subject, then a farmer who sows, third God's blessing, which puts vigor into the seed and sends it into the field, removes husks, purifies the seed's little body, and raises the seminal power so that it sprouts in another species and multiple fruit. The same is the ratio of the spiritual field. (2) The same is shown by vineyard culture, where first a suitable place is required, second a vinedresser who plants and tends the vines, third God's blessing, by whose power, as of the eternal Word, the vine once created is still preserved and made fruitful. So, that Sacred Scripture may be known inwardly and effectually and practically, first a human soul endowed with intellect and will is required; second the proposing of Sacred Scripture or the outward word as seed; third, that this living seed may be received effectually and vividly by the human soul unto its salutary change as to the intellect's ignorance and the will's perversion — which properly is to understand Scripture rightly — the Holy Spirit's illumination is needed, which as principal cause precedes, accompanies, and follows Scripture itself in the order of nature.
Hence Gregory the Great: "Unless," he says, "the Spirit is present to the hearer's heart, the teacher's speech is idle: unless there is one within who teaches, the teacher's tongue labors outwardly in vain." For this reason those about to read the Scriptures for their salvation should not neglect the Lord's precept (Matthew 7:7): "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
Latin
Sic concilium Arausicanum II. c. 6. Si quis, inquit, sine gratia Dei credentibus, volentibus, desiderantibus, conantibus misericordiam dicit conferri, non autem divinitus ut credamus & velimus, per infusionem & inspirationem Spiritus sancti in nobis fieri confitetur, anathema sit. Sic sive Ambrosius sive Prosper Aquitanicus lib. 2. de vocatione gentium c. 9. Duce, inquit, Deo ad Deum veniatur: necesse est, ne ad cogitandum quidem quod spirituale est idonei simus, nisi per Dei gratiam. Ita etiam Lutherus in c. 16. Johannis: Non, inquit, res ita agitur, nec ita multi sunt, qui Spiritum Sanctum & intellectum habent, ac multi sibi fingunt, ut ex hoc liquet, quod etsi Scriptura habeatur & audiatur, tamen Spiritus S. revelatio requiritur, qui lumen adhibeat tali lectioni & auditioni, quam intellectus sequitur: quamvis verum sit, Spiritum S. hoc non sine praedicatione & institutione efficere. Videatur idem tomo 4. Germ. p. 140. & tomo 8. fol. 134. XI. A testimonio naturae, quod per analogiam quandam sententiae nostrae perhibetur. Nam 1. si triticum in agro provenire debet, ante omnia requiritur ager, tanquam subjectum patiens, deinde agricola, qui sementem facit, tertio Dei benedictio, quae semini vigorem immittat & in agrum emittat, cortices removeat, corpusculum seminis purificet, vim seminalem suscitet, ut in alia specie & multiplici fructu progerminet. Eadem est ratio agri spiritualis. 2. Idem ostendit cultura vineae, ubi primo requiritur locus commodus, secundo vinitor, qui vites plantet & curet, tertio Dei benedictio, cujus virtute, tanquam aeterni verbi, vitis olim creata adhuc conservatur & fecundatur: Sic, ut sacra Scriptura interius & efficaciter practiceque cognoscatur, primo requiritur anima hominis intellectu & voluntate praedita, secundo sacrae Scripturae sive externi verbi, tanquam seminis, propositio, tertio, ut vivum hoc semen efficaciter & vivide ab anima hominis recipiatur ad salutarem ejus immutationem, quantum ad intellectus ignorationem & voluntatis perversionem, quod proprie est Scripturam recte intelligere, opus est Spiritus sancti illuminatione, quae tanquam causa princeps ipsam Scripturam ordine naturae praecedat, comitetur & subsequatur. Hinc Gregorius M.: Nisi, inquit, Spiritus adsit cordi audientis, otiosus est sermo doctoris: nisi intus sit qui doceat, doctoris lingua exterius in vanum laborat. Hacpropter Scripturas ad salutem suam lecturi ne negligant praeceptum Domini, Matth. 7.v.7. Petite, & dabitur vobis: quaerite, & invenietis: pulsate, & aperietur vobis.