John Fisher: the Fathers against the Schoolmen
John Fisher, bishop of Rochester in England, teaches the same. 'I have preferred,' he says, 'to follow the Fathers rather than the Schoolmen, since on this matter they contradict each other. The Fathers assert that no one can will anything good without God's special help, and that the general influence is not enough.
Some Schoolmen, on the other hand, contend that it is enough: that without that help a man can act morally well and do good, not only good in kind but also good furnished on every side with the proper circumstances.' Against Luther, article 36, at the paragraph 'Neutrum sane potest'.
Latin
XX. Quibus consentanea docet Joannes Roffensis in Anglia Episcopus. Patrum, inquit, sententiam sequi malui quam Scholasticorum, cum in hac re mutuo sibi pugnent. Patres enim asserunt neminem quicquam posse boni velle sine Dei speciali auxilio, nec sufficere generalem illum influxum. Nonnulli contra Scholastici sic contendunt, hunc sufficere, ut quis absque illo auxilio bene moraliter agere, & bonum facere possit, non solum ex genere, verum etiam quod debitis undique circumstantiis ornatum sit. Articulo 36. adversus Lutherum. paragr. Neutrum sane potest.