Secondly, As it denoteth that our power to good is lost by this original sin; ⟨p. 98⟩So also our will and desire: For why should it be said to beset us so easily? But because we have neither power or will against it; so that till the principle of Regeneration be infused into us; sin hath defiled our will, as well as our power; as we cannot, so neither we will not gain say the lusts thereof. We must not then conceive of man, as indeed miserably polluted, and such as cannot help himself, but is very willing, and heartily desireth to be freed from this bondage, but his will is as grossly polluted, as any thing, He willeth not the things of God, he loveth not, yea he hateth every thing that is spiritual and holy; Insomuch that we may truly say, That the actual wickedness in mens lives, doth not only arise from weakness and impotency to what is holy, but from an unwillingness, and an averseness to it. Though they be allured with the glorious promises of Gods favour, and eternal glory; Though the terrors of God, and the everlasting flames of hell be set before them, yet they will not; Though their consciences be convicted, though the word of God be plain against their lusts, so that they cannot tell what to say, yet they will not: So that herein lieth the sad and dreadful efficacy of original sin, that it hath corrupted the will all over, so that whereas we will the lusts of the flesh, the pleasures of sin, the comforts of the world, we have no will to what is good: If then the will, which is the appetitus universalis, and like the primum mobile, that doth carry all the inferior orbs with it, be thus infected with sin, no wonder if we be easily beset by it: This is to bribe the Commander in Chief, that ruleth all, and so it is no wonder, if all be at last betrayed into the hands of sin and Satan.
Secondly, As it densteth that our power to good is lost by this original sinne; ⟨p. 98⟩So also our will and desire: For why should it be said to beset us so easily? But because we have neither power or will against it; so that till the principle of Regeneration be infused into us; sinne hath defiled our will, as well as our power; as we cannot, so neither we will not gain say the lusts thereof. We must not then conceive of man, as indeed miserably polluted, and such as cannot help himself, but is very willing, and heartily desireth to be freed from this bondage, but his will is as grosly polluted, as any thing, He willeth not the things of God, he loveth not, yea he hateth every thing that is spiritual and holy; Insomuch that we may truly say, That the actual wickednesse in mens lives, doth not onely arise from weaknesse and impotency to what is holy, but from an unwillingnesse, and an aversnesse to it. Though they be allured with the glorious promises of Gods favour, and eternal glory; Though the terrors of God, and the everlasting flames of hell be set before them, yet they will not; Though their consciences be convicted, though the word of God be plain against their lusts, so that they cannot tell what to say, yet they will not: So that herein lieth the sad and dreadfull efficacy of original sinne, that it hath corrupted the will all over, so that whereas we will the lusts of the flesh, the pleasures of sinne, the comforts of the world, we have no will to what is good: If then the will, which is the appetitus universalis, and like the primum mobile, that doth carry all the inferiour orbs with it, be thus infected with sinne, no wonder if we be easily beset by it: This is to bribe the Commander in Chief, that ruleth all, and so it is no wonder, if all be at last betrayed into the hands of sinne and Satan.
