A44431:78
The almost Christian discovered, in some sermons on Acts 26, 28 with a blow…
The almost Christian discovered, in some sermons on Acts 26, 28 with a blow at profaneness / by the R.R. Ezekiel Hopkins, late Lord Bishop of London-Derry ; to which is added the upright Christian discovered, gathered out of the judicious treatises of William Bates, D.D.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1693
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.
SERMON III.
4. Every change that is wrought upon the Will, is no certain evidence of the truth of Grace; a Man may fall short of true saving Grace, when there is yet a great change wrought upon the Will; it is true, it is the through change of the Will, wherein Grace doth principally consist; this is the first principal Act from the Spirit of Life, without which, whatsoever other change is wrought upon us, it is no more than to set the hand of the Watch to the right hour when the Spring is broken. The Philosophers call the Will, the commanding, swaying faculty of the Soul, that controls all the Inferior faculties, and makes them obey its inclinations; so that such as the Will is, such is the whole Man: And therefore the Scripture in setting ⟨p. 39⟩forth the two-fold State of Men, doth it by showing the temper of their Wills; unregenerate Men are described by their wilfulness, Ye will not come to me that ye might have Life, 2 John 4. The People of God are described by their willingness, Psal. 116.3. They shall be a willing People in the Day of thy Power. And here I shall endeavour two things,
4. EVery change that is wrought upon the Will, is no certain evidence of the truth of Grace; a Man may fall short of true saving Grace, when there is yet a great change wrought upon the Will; it is true, it is the through change of the Will, wherein Grace doth principally consist; this is the first principal Act from the Spirit of Life, without which, whatsoever other change is wrought upon us, it is no more than to set the hand of the Watch to the right hour when the Spring is broken. The Philosophers call the Will, the commanding, swaying faculty of the Soul, that controuls all the Inferior faculties, and makes them obey its inclinations; so that such as the Will is, such is the whole Man: And therefore the Scripture in setting ⟨p. 39⟩