A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

This may seem strange, but it is for just cause used by the holy Ghost; for in the conversion of a sinner, there be three workers; the holy Ghost; the word, and ⟨p. 216⟩mans will. The holy Ghost is the principal Agent enlightening the mind with true knowledge, softening the heart, and changing the will from evil to good. The word is the instrument of the holy Ghost; for now he worketh not by revelation or special instinct; but ordinarily in and by the word, when a man is reading, hearing or meditating, either publicly or privately: for the word preached is the power of God to mans salvation from faith to faith. Thirdly, mans will, though by nature it be evil and dead unto grace, yet being renewed by the holy Ghost, in the first act of conversion moveth and striveth to be turned; It is not like a piece of wax only passive, which without any action receiveth impression: But as fire, so soon as it fire doth borne; and so soon as it burneth it is fire: so the will though by nature it move not yet being renewed by grace it moveth, and so some as it moveth, it is renewed. And hereupon it is, that the holy Ghost ascribeth action unto a sinner that is to be converted: which argueth not, that by themselves men can have a will to be converted, but that being renewed, they may will their conversion. And for this cause is the Gospel preached in these terms, Repent and believe: not to show that man by nature can repent or believe; but that God in mans conversion, doth give him grace to will and desire the same.

This may seeme strange, but it is for iust cause vsed by the holy Ghost; for in the conuersion of a sinner, there be three workers; the holy Ghost; the word, and ⟨p. 216⟩mans will. The holy Ghost is the principall Agent inlightning the minde with true knowledge, softning the heart, and changing the will from euill to good. The worde is the instrument of the holy Ghost; for now he worketh not by reuelation or speciall instinct; but ordinarily in and by the word, when a man is reading, hearing or meditating, either publickely or priuately: for the word preached is the power of God to mans saluation from faith to faith. Thirdly, mans will, though by nature it be euill and dead vnto grace, yet being renewed by the holy Ghost, in the first act of conuersion moueth and striueth to bee turned; It is not like a peece of waxe onely passiue, which without any action receiueth impression: But as fire, so soone as it fire doth borne; and so soone as it burneth it is fire: so the will though by nature it mooue not yet being renewed by grace it mooueth, and so some as it mooueth, it is renewed. And hereupon it is, that the holy Ghost ascribeth action vnto a sinner that is to bee conuerted: which argueth not, that by themselues men can haue a will to bee conuerted, but that being renewed, they may will their conuersion. And for this cause is the Gospell preached in these tearmes, Repent and beleeue: not to shew that man by nature can repent or beleue; but that God in mans conuersion, doth giue him grace to will and desire the same.