A30345:699
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel…A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel…
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errors of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightness, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errours of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightnesse, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.
London: printed by G. Miller for Edward Brewster, 1645
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
for then it should be in act and not in act, at one and the same time: The will cannot bend into the direct contrary: for then it might most willingly desire that condition which it certainly knew to be most miserable, and refuse that condition which it most certainly and distinctly knew to be most blessed: Nor suspend of it self, without the intervention of the understanding, because the will is not the mistress of it self, but of the act, which depends upon the inferior faculties. They that know the gift of God, they desire and ask it. They that know God, they will trust in him, and keep his Commandments. They that are taught of God, they will come unto Christ: and faith is lively and operative to draw men to the love of God, and obedience to his precepts.
for then it should be in act and not in act, at one and the same time: The will cannot bend into the direct contrary: for then it might most willingly desire that condition which it certainly knew to be most miserable, and refuse that condition which it most certainly and distinctly knew to be most blessed: Nor suspend of it selfe, without the intervention of the understanding, because the will is not the mistresse of it selfe, but of the act, which depends upon the inferiour faculties. They that know the gift of God, they desire and aske it. They that know God, they will trust in him, and keep his Commandements. They that are taught of God, they will come unto Christ: and faith is lively and operative to draw men to the love of God, and obedience to his precepts.
The act of judgement is two-fold: 1. Natural, which ariseth from the sharpness or dullness of the wit. 2. Moral, according to which we are said to be good or evil. There be two degrees of light. 1. Directing and warning what is to be done. 2. Persuading and effectually moving forward the will. This persuasion is, when with such force the holy Spirit doth accompany the Gospel, that it doth not only move the will, but move it effectually or throughly, and beget faith lively and well rooted. What the mind judgeth best, the will followeth as best; what less good the mind judgeth, the will less followeth. What the1