A Body of Practical Divinity

Use II. 1st. Br. Confutation. It confutes the Arminians, who cry up the Power of the Will: They hold they have a Will to save themselves. But, by Nature we not only want Strength, Rom. 5.6. but we want Will to that which is Good. The Will is not only full of Impotency, but Obstinacy. Psal. 81.11. Israel would none of me. The Will hangs forth a Flag of Defiance against God. Such as speak of the Sovereign Power of the Will, forget Phil. 2.13. It is God that worketh in you [Greek or Hebrew], both to will and to do. If the Power be in the Will of Man, then what needs God to work in us to Will? If the Air can enlighten it self, what needs the Sun to shine? Such as talk of the Power of Nature, and the Ability they have to save themselves, they disparage Christ's Merits. I may say as Gal. 5.4. Christ is become of no effect to them. This I affirm, Such as advance the Power of their Will in matters of Salvation, without the Medicinal Grace of Christ, do absolutely put themselves under the Covenant of Works. And now I would ask them, Can they perfectly keep the Moral Law? Malum oritur ex quolibet defectu. If there be but the least Defect in their Obedience, they are gone. For one sinful Thought the Law of God curseth them, and the Justice of God arraigns them. Confounded be their Pride, who cry up the Power of Nature, as if by their own inherent Abilities they could rear up a Building, the top whereof should reach to Heaven.

Vse II. 1st. Br. Confutation. It confutes the Arminians, who cry up the Power of the Will: They hold they have a Will to save themselves. But, by Nature we not only want Strength, Rom. 5.6. but we want Will to that which is Good. The Will is not only full of Impotency, but Obstinacy. Psal. 81.11. Israel would none of me. The Will hangs forth a Flag of Defiance against God. Such as speak of the Sovereign Power of the Will, forget Phil. 2.13. It is God that worketh in you , both to will and to do. If the Power be in the Will of Man, then what needs God to work in us to Will? If the Air can enlighten it self, what needs the Sun to shine? Such as talk of the Power of Nature, and the Ability they have to save themselves, they disparage Christ's Merits. I may say as