undertaken to expound this epistle, but only, mainly on its authority, to demonstrate, so far as we are able, that we are assisted by divine aid toward the achievement of righteousness.…”14 The key to understanding this central work of Bernard’s is to be found in its place in the history of the theological problem of grace and free will. What were the issues involved? What solutions had already been offered and which were influential upon the Abbot? What was the nature