Some Pious Treatises, Part 5
The Reasons are.
Reas. 1. Because he hath a will to means that lead to good, therefore he hath a will to good it self; as a wicked man shews he hath a will to evil, because he hath a will to that which leads thereto; he hath a will to drunkenness, because he hath a will to excessive drinknig, & to bad company; so regenerate men have a will to goo…, because they h…e a will to means leading to good: as carnal men say, for earth…y t…ings, Psal. 4. Who will shew us any good? meaning temporal good; so the Saints for spiritual good, Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance on us.
2. Because there's nothing is a suitable object to the prevailing principle of grace which is in him, but some spiritual good; as every life i… carried to such food a maintains it, so is the life of grace i… whom it is, Psal. 4.6, 7. God and those things that partake of his nature, are the object of a holy mans will, Psal. 119.30.
3. Because a regenerate man knows, that a holy frame of will is accepted of God in stead of deeds, 2 Cor. 8.11, 12. that is, when a man can do no more then will, God accepts it for deeds; as in the widows mite, Mar. 12.43. Many delude themselves, that they have as good a will as the best, though they do not bring forth things into act; truely it's not voluntas, but velleitas, if it come not forth. Goats-hair was accepted towards the building of a Sanctuary, if a man could bring no better; but if he could bring Gold, Goats-hair was nothing. Though David could not build God an house, yet God saith, 1 Kings 8.18. Whereas it was in thy heart to build an house to my name, thou didst well, that it was in thy heart.
4. Because of the sighes and groans that flow from him, that his actions cannot answer his will, those do prove the reality of his will, Psal. 119.131. Oh si possem! as Luther: his bed, his closer, his garden can witness these sighs and groans; the soul can say, Psal. 38.9. All my desire is with thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee. Look as a poor captive that lies in Argier, cryes, Oh that some would free me from this slavery; so doth the soul groan that it might have more power to do good, Rom. 7.23.
5. It appears from Gods acceptation of actions wherein there hath been much frailty and weakness, 2 Chron. 6.8. having no command from God, it may be supposed that he err'd herein; so in Gods taking notice of Jobs patience, and passing by his impatience.
6. Because his understanding is inlightned to see good, therefore his will chuseth it; the object the will pitcheth upon, is something the understanding sees to be good, at least in appearance; as the choice of inordinate pleasures, of revenge, &c. the understanding sees some good, though such an understanding is like a false looking-glass that presents not things as they are: hence, because a childe of God cleerly sees things that are good, his will is bent for the same.
Use inform. Of an essential difference 'twixt regenerate men and carnal men: carnal men have a will for sin still, Joh. 8.44. no will for good. Jer. 44.16, 17. We will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth out of our own mouth; If at any time they do Gods will, it is not because it was Gods will, but because Gods will by accident fell pat upon their will, Jer. 42. Jer. 6.17. Hearken to the sound of the trumpet: but they said, We will not hearken.
Cant. The will of Gods servants is for God, Isai. 26.8. Nehem. 1.11. yea, even though they through weakness be overtaken, yet their will is for God, 2 Cor. 8.12. See it further in Paul, Act. 9.6. in Cornelius, Act. 10.33.
2. Exhort. 1. Content not your selves with velleities, or imperfect willing of good; but get a right will. Christians must go beyond all the wishings of hypocrites.