The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

I know Philosophers conclude that all acts of the inferior Faculties are but acts commanded by the Will: It should be so I confess: It is the office of the Will to command, and the understanding to direct, and the rest to obey. But in our state of sinful imperfection the soul is so distempered and corrupted, that the Will cannot fully rule those Faculties that it should rule; so that it may be said, I would forbear sin but cannot. For 1. The understanding is become a dark, imperfect Directer. 2. The Will is become an imperfect Receiver of the Understandings Directions; yea an opposer, as being ⟨p. 258⟩tainted with the neighbourhood of a distempered sense. 3. When the Will is rectified by Grace, it is but in part; and therefore when Paul or any holy man saith, I would do good, and I would not do evil, they mean it not of a perfect willingness, but of a sincere; to wit, that this is the main bent of their Will, and the resolved prevalent act of it, is for good. 4. When the Will doth command, yet the commanded Faculties do refuse to obey, through an unfitness, of impotency and corruption. 1. The Will hath but an imperfect command of the Understanding (I mean as to the exercise of the act, in which respect it commandeth it, and not as to the specification of the act.) A man may truly and strongly desire to Know more, and apprehend things more clearly, and yet cannot. 2. The Will hath but an imperfect command of the Fantasy or Thoughts; so that a man may truly say, I would think more frequently, more intentively, and more orderly of good, and less of vanity; and yet I cannot. For objects and passions may force the Fantasy and Cogitations in some degree. 3. The Will hath but an imperfect command of the passions: so that a man may truly say, I would not be troubled, ⟨p. 259⟩or afraid, or grieved, or disquieted, or angry; but I cannot choose, and I would mourn more for sin, and be more afraid of sinning and of Gods displeasure, and more zealous for God, and more delighted in him, and joy more in holy things, but I cannot.

I know Philosophers conclude that all acts of the inferiour Faculties are but acts commanded by the Will: It should be so I confess: It is the office of the Will to command, and the understanding to direct, and the rest to obey. But in our state of sinfull imperfection the soul is so distempered and corrupted, that the Will cannot fully rule those Faculties that it should rule; so that it may be said, I would forbear sin but cannot. For 1. The understanding is become a dark, imperfect Directer. 2. The Will is become an imperfect Receiver of the Understandings Directions; yea an opposer, as being