Evidence 1. How often does the light so shine before men's eyes: that they cannot but see the good they should choose, and the evil they should refuse; and yet their hearts have no more power to comply with that light than if they were arrested by some invisible hand? They see what is right; yet they follow, and cannot […] ⟨p. 59⟩follow, what is wrong. Their consciences tells them the right way, and approves of it too; yet cannot their will be brought up to it: their corruption so chains them, that they cannot embrace it; so they sigh, and go backward, over the belly of their light. And if it be not thus, how is it that the word, and way of holiness meets with such entertainment in the world? How is it that clear arguments and reason on the side of piety and a holy life, which bear in themselves even on the carnal mind, do not bring men over to that side? Although' the being of a heaven and a hell, were but a may be, it were sufficient to determine the will to the choice of holiness, were it capable to be determined thereto by mere reason: but men, knowing the judgment of God, (that they which commit such things are worthy of death) not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them, Rom. i 32. And how is it that these who magnify the power of free-will do not confirm their opinion before the world, by an ocular demonstration, in a practice as far above others in holiness, as the opinion of their natural ability is above others? Or is it maintained only for the protection of lusts, which men may hold fast as long as they please; and when they have no more use for them, can throw them off in a moment, and leap out of Delilah's lap into Abraham's bosom? Whatever use some make of that principle: it does of itself, and in its own nature, cast a broad shadow for a shelter to wickedness of heart and life. And it may be observed, that the generality of the hearers of the gospel, of all denominations are plagued with it: for it is a root of bitterness, natural to all men; from whence do spring so much fearlessness about the soul's eternal state; so many delays and off-puts in that weighty matter, whereby much work is laid up for a death-bed by some; while others are ruined by a legal walk, and unacquainted with the life of faith, and the making use of Christ for sanctification; all flowing from the persuasion of sufficient natural abilities.
Evidence 1. How often does the light so shine before men's eyes: that they cannot but see the good they should chuse, and the evil they should refuse; and yet their hearts have no more power to comply with that light than if they were arrested by some invisible hand? They see what is right; yet they follow, and cannot 〈…〉 ⟨p. 59⟩follow, what is wrong. Their consciences tells them the right way, and approves of it too; yet cannot their will be brought up to it: their corruption so chains them, that they cannot embrace it; so they sigh, and go backward, over the belly of their light. And if it be not thus, how is it that the word, and way of holiness meets with such entertainment in the world? How is it that clear arguments and reason on the side of piety and a holy life, which bear in themselves even on the carnal mind, do not bring men over to that side? Altho' the being of a heaven and a hell, were but a may be, it were sufficient to determine the will to the choice of holiness, were it capable to be determined thereto by mere reason: but men, knowing the judgment of God, (that they which commit such things are worthy of death) not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them, Rom. i 32. And how is it that these who magnify the power of free-will do not confirm their opinion before the world, by an ocular demonstration, in a practice as far above others in holiness, as the opinion of their natural ability is above others? Or is it maintained only for the protection of lusts, which men may hold fast as long as they please; and when they have no more use for them, can throw them off in a moment, and leap out of Delilah's lap into Abraham's bosom? Whatever use some make of that principle: it does of itself, and in its own nature, cast a broad shadow for a shelter to wickedness of heart and life. And it may be observed, that the generality of the hearers of the gospel, of all denominations are plagued with it: for it is a root of bitterness, natural to all men; from whence do spring so much fearlessness about the soul's eternal state; so many delays and off-puts in that weighty matter, whereby much work is laid up for a death-bed by some; while others are ruined by a legal walk, and unacquainted with the life of faith, and the making use of Christ for sanctification; all flowing from the persuasion of sufficient natural abilities.
