An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

Hence Note.

First, A godly man hath a power to do that evil which he hath no will to do.

First, A godly man hath a power to doe that evill which he hath no will to doe.

A carnal man hath a will to many evils, for which he hath no power or opportunity: A godly man would not do any evil, how much power and opportunity soever he hath. And indeed though he hath a natural, or civill, yet he hath not a moral power to do any evil. In which sense the Apostle speaks of a regenerate person, (1 John 3.9.) He that is borne of God cannot sin: He hath a natural power to sin any sin, to lye, to be drunk, to be unclean, &c. He may have a civill power to oppress, to deceive, to wrong his Brother; yet he cannot turn either his hand or his heart to such works as these are: he hath learned better, and is better. He is borne of God, his blood and pedigree is so high, that he cannot meddle, nor trade in such low things. Wisdom is too high for a fool (saith Solomon, Prov. 24.7.) and folly is too low for a ⟨p. 232⟩wisdom. When Joseph was solicited by his Mistress to commit folly with her, he answers, How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God (Gen. 39.9.) Joseph wanted neither power, nor opportunity to do that wickedness; yet he saith, How can I do it?

A carnall man hath a will to many evills, for which hee hath no power or opportunity: A godly man would not doe any evill, how much power and opportunity soever he hath. And indeed though he hath a naturall, or civill, yet hee hath not a morall power to doe any evill. In which sense the Apostle speakes of a regenerate person, (