A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

¶. 2.

The Corruption of the Will in its general Act, which is called Volition.

First therefore, Let us begin with the general act, which is called Volition, the bare willing of a thing, which you heard, was either conditional and imperfect, or efficacious; for the former kind, How much corruption is there in the will, and that both about sin, and also about good? About sin, What secret wishes and wouldings are there in a man naturally, that sin were not sinne, Utina•n hoc non esset peccare, said he, that thy pleasures were not sins, that thy unlawful profits were not sins, there is this secret corruption in the will, whereby it would have the nature of things changed, vice to be virtue, and virtue to be vice. Some indeed dispute, Whether there be any such actings of the will as may be called velleities, and not volitions? But experience teacheth there are, so the Apostle, Rom 9. 3. I could wish my self accursed, there is an incomplete act of the will; When the Psalmist saith, The fool hath said in his heart there is no God, Psa. 14. 4. that is in his wish, in his incomplete will; for absolutely a man cannot will that which is impossible; If then we do but observe the motions of the will in this respect, we shall find the number of these sins, to be like the sand upon the sea shore: Oh the many secret ungodly wishes that do by swarms rise up in thy will, which though thou takest no notice of, yet God doth and will accordingly judge thee!

FIrst therefore, Let us begin with the general act, which is called Volition, the bare willing of a thing, which you heard, was either conditional and imperfect, or efficacious; for the former kind, How much corruption is there in the will, and that both about sin, and also about good? About sinne, What secret wishes and wouldings are there in a man naturally, that sinne were not sinne, Vtinan hoc non esset peccare, said he, that thy pleasures were not sinnes, that thy unlawfull profits were not sinnes, there is this secret corruption in the will, whereby it would have the nature of things changed, vice to be virtue, and virtue to be vice. Some indeed dispute, Whether there be any such actings of the will as may be called velleities, and not volitions? But experience teacheth there are, so the Apostle, Rom 9. 3. I could wish my self accursed, there is an incompleat act of the will; When the Psalmist saith, The fool hath said in his heart there is no God,