A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of…

Sincerity and Reality, in that indirect Willingness which has been spoken of, don't make it the better. That which is real and hearty is often called sincere; whether it be in Virtue or Vice. Some Persons are sincerely bad; others are sincerely good; and others may be sincere and hearty in Things which are in their own Nature indifferent; as a Man may be sincerely desirous of eating when he is hungry. But a being sincere, hearty and in good Earnest, is no Virtue, unless it be in a Thing that is virtuous. A Man may be sincere and hearty in joining a Crew of Pirates, or a Gang of Robbers. When the Devils cried out, and besought Christ not to torment them, it was no mere Pretence; they were very hearty in their Desires not to be tormented: but this did not make their Will or Desires virtuous. And if Men have sincere Desires, which are in their Kind and Nature no better, it can be no Excuse for the want of any required Virtue.

Sincerity and Reality, in that indirect Willingness which has been spoken of, don't make it the better. That which is real and hearty is often called sincere; whether it be in Vertue or Vice. Some Persons are sincerely bad; others are sincerely good; and others may be sincere and hearty in Things which are in their own Nature indifferent; as a Man may be sincerely desirous of eating when he is hungry. But a being sincere, hearty and in good Earnest, is no Vertue, unless it be in a Thing that is vertuous. A Man may be sincere and hearty in joining a Crew of Pirates, or a Gang of Robbers. When the Devils cried out, and besought Christ not to torment them, it was no mere Pretence; they were very hearty in their Desires not to be tormented: but this did not make their Will or Desires vertuous. And if Men have sincere Desires, which are in their Kind and Nature no better, it can be no Excuse for the want of any required Vertue.

And as a Man's being sincere in such an indirect Desire or Willingness to do his Duty, as has been mentioned, can't excuse for the want of Performance; so it is with Endeavours arising from such a Willingness. The Endeavours can have no more Goodness in 'em, than the Will which they are the Effect and Expression of. And therefore, however sincere and real, and however great a Person's Endeavours are; yea, tho' they should be to the utmost of his Ability; unless the Will which they proceed from be truly good and virtuous, they can be of no Avail, Influence or Weight to any Purpose whatsoever, in a moral Sense or Respect. That which is not truly virtuous in God's Sight, is looked upon by Him as good for Nothing: and so can be of no Value, Weight or Influence