The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin

This in their worst condition, distinguisheth them from Unbelievers in their best. The Will in unbelievers is under the power of the Law of sin. The opposition they make to sin, either in the root, or ⟨p. 7⟩branches of it, is from their light, and their consciences; the will of sinning in them is never taken away▪ Take away all other considerations & hinderances, whereof we shall treat afterwards, and they would sin willingly always. Their faint endeavours to answer their convictions, are far from a will of doing that which is good. They will plead indeed, that they would leave their sins, if they could, and they would fain do better than they do. But it is the working of their Light and Convictions, not any spiritual inclination of their wills, which they intend by that expression. For where there is a will of doing good, there is a choice of that which is good for its own excellency sake, because it is desirable and suitable to the soul, and therefore to be preferred before that which is contrary. Now this is not in any unbelievers; they do not, they cannot so choose that which is spiritually good, nor is it so excellent or suitable unto any principle that is in them: only they have some desires to attain that end, whereunto that which is good doth lead, and to avoid that evil which the neglect of it tends unto. And these also are for the most part so weak and languid in many of them, that they put them not upon any considerable endeavours; witness that luxury, sloth, worldliness and security, that the generality of men are even drowned in. But in believers there is a will of doing good, an habitual disposition and inclination in their wills unto that which is spiritually good. And where this is, it is accompanied with answerable effects. The will is the principle of our moral actions, and therefore unto the prevailing ⟨p. 8⟩disposition thereof, will the general course of our actings be suited. Good things will proceed from the good treasures of the heart. Nor can this disposition be evidenced to be in any but by its fruits. A will of doing good, without doing good, is but pretended.

This in their worst condition, distinguisheth them from Unbelievers in their best. The Will in unbelievers is under the power of the Law of sin. The opposition they make to sin, either in the root, or ⟨p. 7⟩