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knowledge_n godliness_n love_n temperance_n 1,608 5 11.3502 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A07826 A treatise of the threefolde state of man wherein is handled, 1 His created holinesse in his innocencie. 2 His sinfulnesse since the fall of Adam. 3 His renewed holinesse in his regeneration. Morton, Thomas, of Berwick. 1596 (1596) STC 18199; ESTC S107028 195,331 462

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of_o god_n for_o if_o man_n be_v account_v righteous_a for_o his_o holiness_n or_o love_n he_o may_v impute_v his_o salvation_n to_o his_o own_o desert_n for_o perfect_a love_n deserve_v love_n and_o holiness_n will_v challenge_v life_n as_o of_o due_a debt_n but_o affiance_n impli_v a_o humble_a loyal_a and_o dutiful_a subjection_n acknowledge_v the_o unworthines_n baseness_n insufficiency_n and_o weakness_n of_o man_n and_o together_o the_o mercy_n goodness_n love_n favour_n bounty_n truth_n and_o power_n of_o god_n this_o reason_n be_v use_v for_o this_o purpose_n 27._o ro._n 3._o 27._o what_o law_n or_o mean_n of_o salvation_n do_v take_v away_o all_o boast_n from_o man_n and_o so_o give_v all_o the_o glory_n of_o our_o salvation_n to_o god_n not_o the_o law_n of_o work_n or_o inherent_a holiness_n but_o the_o law_n of_o faith_n yea_o of_o all_o the_o grace_n which_o be_v in_o man_n faith_n only_o have_v in_o it_o this_o natural_a property_n to_o make_v a_o man_n partaker_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o righteousness_n and_o so_o of_o salvation_n for_o even_o as_o a_o tenant_n enjoy_v his_o house_n and_o land_n not_o for_o that_o he_o love_v or_o fear_v his_o lord_n or_o for_o any_o virtue_n wherewith_o he_o be_v endue_v but_o only_o because_o he_o do_v depend_v on_o his_o lord_n and_o so_o do_v purchase_v unto_o he_o worship_n and_o honour_n by_o rely_v himself_o whole_o upon_o his_o love_n favour_n liberality_n constancy_n ability_n &_o riches_n so_o stand_v the_o case_n with_o man_n in_o respect_n of_o his_o salvation_n for_o no_o grace_n save_v only_o this_o affiance_n on_o god_n and_o on_o his_o mercy_n in_o christ_n can_v convey_v unto_o we_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o eternal_a life_n in_o the_o which_o respect_n it_o be_v common_o say_v in_o holy_a scripture_n that_o faith_n do_v justify_v not_o as_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o man_n holiness_n whereof_o no_o one_o part_n no_o not_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o if_o any_o one_o be_v want_v will_v serve_v to_o make_v a_o man_n righteous_a before_o god_n but_o as_o it_o have_v in_o it_o this_o proper_a virtue_n to_o make_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n the_o death_n of_o the_o believer_n &_o so_o the_o righteousness_n arise_v of_o the_o say_a death_n the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o belever_n 7._o for_o he_o that_o have_v suffer_v death_n be_v iustisied_a from_o sin_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o object_n nature_n &_o attribute_n of_o evangelical_a faith_n it_o remain_v that_o before_o we_o proceed_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o part_n of_o man_n holiness_n we_o shall_v declare_v the_o relation_n which_o be_v betwixt_o faith_n &_o they_o it_o have_v be_v say_v of_o faith_n in_o general_n that_o it_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o root_n from_o the_o which_o other_o grace_n do_v spring_n in_o that_o it_o ti_v we_o to_o god_n the_o fountain_n of_o all_o grace_n as_o to_o the_o only_a giver_n of_o all_o happiness_n the_o which_o thing_n be_v true_a of_o this_o evangelical_a faith_n after_o a_o special_a manner_n for_o in_o that_o it_o join_v we_o to_o christ_n it_o make_v we_o partaker_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n or_o rather_o cause_v a_o increase_n of_o all_o spiritual_a grace_n for_o regeneration_n be_v although_o not_o in_o time_n yet_o in_o nature_n before_o faith_n therefore_o this_o faith_n be_v make_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o spiritual_a life_n of_o the_o new_a man_n 20._o even_o as_o the_o hart_n be_v in_o the_o body_n the_o fountain_n of_o heat_n gal._n 2._o 20._o i_o live_v yet_o not_o i_o but_o christ_n live_v in_o i_o &_o in_o that_o i_o now_o live_v in_o the_o flesh_n i_o live_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o have_v love_v i_o and_o give_v his_o life_n for_o i_o and_o act._n 15._o 9_o peter_n say_v that_o god_n do_v purify_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o gentiles_n 9_o that_o be_v as_o it_o be_v expound_v verse_n 8._o work_v sanctification_n in_o they_o by_o faith_n in_o the_o which_o respect_n it_o be_v compare_v to_o the_o foundation_n of_o a_o house_n where_o upon_o the_o whole_a building_n stand_v and_o to_o the_o root_n of_o a_o tree_n which_o give_v heat_n sap_n and_o life_n to_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o 2d_o coll._n 1._o 23._o if_o you_o continue_v found_v and_o establish_v in_o faith_n and_o to_o a_o fountain_n of_o live_a water_n 38._o joh._n 7._o 38._o he_o that_o believe_v in_o i_o out_o of_o his_o belly_n shall_v flow_v river_n of_o the_o water_n of_o life_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v put_v before_o all_o other_o grace_n 2._o pet._n 1._o 5._o join_v to_o your_o faith_n virtue_n and_o to_o your_o virtue_n knowledge_n temperance_n 5._o patience_n godliness_n brotherly_a love_n and_o kyndnes_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v usual_o distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o part_n of_o sanctification_n they_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o love_n 6._o or_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1_o tress_n 3._o 6._o tymothie_n have_v bring_v we_o tiding_n of_o your_o faith_n and_o love_n 5_o so_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 6._o 5._o that_o stephen_n be_v a_o man_n full_a of_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n not_o that_o faith_n itself_o be_v not_o a_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o a_o part_n of_o the_o spiritual_a holiness_n of_o man_n but_o because_o it_o be_v the_o first_o work_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o man_n holiness_n and_o salvation_n who_o must_v be_v by_o faith_n free_v from_o sin_n and_o death_n before_o he_o can_v be_v endue_v with_o positive_a holiness_n and_o life_n thus_o the_o apostle_n do_v often_o exhort_v we_o to_o fanctification_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n by_o a_o argument_n draw_v from_o justification_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o faith_n 14._o as_o we_o may_v see_v ro._n 6._o 14._o sin_n shall_v not_o have_v dominion_n over_o you_o because_o you_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n but_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v how_o justification_n do_v bring_v forth_o sanctification_n especial_o 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therefore_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n call_v god_n the_o man_n who_o have_v great_a strength_n than_o the_o woman_n and_o therefore_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n whereas_o the_o woman_n be_v make_v the_o image_n of_o the_o man_n 7._o 1._o cor._n 11._o 7._o and_o so_o the_o rich_a noble_a learned_a wise_a age_a man_n in_o respect_n of_o he_o who_o have_v a_o small_a measure_n of_o these_o gift_n may_v be_v call_v the_o image_n of_o god_n so_o that_o if_o we_o go_v from_o the_o base_a worm_n creep_v on_o the_o earth_n to_o the_o most_o glorious_a angel_n in_o heaven_n as_o each_o one_o be_v more_o excellent_a than_o other_o so_o it_o be_v like_a to_o god_n yet_o the_o scripture_n vouchsafe_v this_o title_n of_o god_n image_n to_o none_o save_v only_o to_o man_n and_o angel_n this_o be_v the_o general_a acception_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o image_n of_o god_n be_v also_o usual_o take_v by_o divine_n write_v of_o man_n holiness_n three_o it_o may_v be_v use_v yet_o more_o special_o to_o signify_v not_o all_o the_o holiness_n of_o man_n but_o only_o that_o part_n of_o it_o whereby_o he_o resemble_v god_n more_o notable_o then_o in_o the_o other_o for_o as_o touch_v all_o those_o part_n of_o man_n holiness_n which_o have_v be_v declare_v in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n they_o can_v be_v proper_o say_v to_o be_v any_o part_n of_o the_o image_n of_o god_n because_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o god_n he_o be_v over_o all_o and_o therefore_o ackngwledge_v no_o manner_n of_o subjection_n to_o any_o neither_o any_o duty_n of_o subjection_n as_o affiance_n hope_v fear_v
wherein_o the_o happiness_n of_o man_n do_v whole_o consist_v for_o this_o be_v eternal_a salvation_n to_o know_v god_n to_o wit_n the_o father_n create_v we_o according_a to_o his_o own_o image_n in_o perfect_a purity_n the_o son_n redeem_v we_o by_o his_o precious_a blood_n from_o sin_n and_o misery_n the_o holy_a spirit_n sanctify_v and_o renew_v we_o by_o his_o grace_n to_o eternal_a glory_n in_o the_o which_o respect_n we_o have_v think_v that_o our_o time_n and_o labour_n the_o which_o it_o have_v please_v god_n in_o mercy_n to_o thy_fw-mi to_o the_o study_n of_o his_o holy_a word_n can_v not_o be_v better_o bestow_v then_o in_o commend_v this_o save_a knowledge_n unto_o other_o and_o that_o by_o this_o mean_n which_o now_o we_o use_v be_v thereunto_o move_v by_o some_o urgent_a reason_n wherewith_o it_o be_v not_o needful_a that_o either_o we_o shall_v trouble_v you_o or_o you_o yourself_o our_o purpose_n or_o rather_o our_o desire_n and_o endeavour_n be_v to_o make_v a_o anatomy_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o lay_v open_a before_o thy_o eye_n the_o several_a part_n and_o faculty_n of_o it_o together_o with_o the_o natural_a and_o supernatural_a holiness_n and_o sinfulness_n of_o they_o wherein_o we_o have_v endeavour_v to_o use_v as_o great_a brevity_n and_o plainness_n as_o we_o can_v and_o as_o the_o great_a variety_n and_o difficulty_n of_o the_o matter_n which_o often_o be_v very_o intricate_a will_v permit_v avoid_v both_o loathsome_a tediousness_n and_o unprofitable_a obscurity_n as_o thinke_v it_o much_o better_o not_o to_o speak_v then_o not_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o to_o lay_v open_a dark_a matter_n in_o rude_a and_o homely_a term_n then_o with_o enigmatical_a parable_n to_o amaze_v and_o mock_v the_o reader_n we_o have_v rather_o apply_v our_o stile_n to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o simple_a and_o the_o good_a of_o all_o by_o insist_v most_o in_o those_o thing_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v edify_v in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o obedience_n of_o christ_n then_o affect_v the_o curious_a scan_n of_o subtle_a question_n serve_v rather_o for_o the_o whet_n of_o the_o wit_n than_o the_o save_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o yet_o as_o they_o have_v their_o use_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v neglect_v so_o we_o do_v brief_o touch_v they_o as_o occasion_n be_v offer_v desire_v the_o reader_n especial_o those_o who_o do_v not_o profess_v learning_n to_o pick_v out_o of_o this_o treatise_n some_o matter_n of_o edification_n rather_o than_o of_o contention_n and_o with_o i_o to_o leave_v needless_a controversy_n to_o scholastical_a exercise_n and_o man_n of_o nimble_a wites_z but_o what_o need_v all_o this_o will_v some_o man_n say_v this_o labour_n may_v very_o well_o have_v be_v spare_v and_o much_o better_o bestow_v consider_v the_o abundance_n of_o knowledge_n the_o daily_a and_o continual_a preach_n the_o superfluity_n of_o book_n write_v of_o all_o argument_n both_o divine_a and_o profane_a in_o such_o swarm_n and_o huge_a multitude_n that_o man_n have_v no_o leisure_n to_o look_v on_o the_o fair_a inscription_n much_o less_o to_o peruse_v the_o tedious_a and_o irksome_a body_n of_o they_o yea_o man_n be_v so_o cloy_v and_o deceive_v with_o vain_a repetition_n of_o old_a matter_n gloss_a over_o with_o new_a word_n and_o so_o amaze_v with_o strange_a doctrine_n late_o devise_v that_o they_o have_v in_o a_o manner_n give_v over_o the_o buy_n and_o read_v of_o book_n esteem_v it_o a_o fruitless_a and_o foolish_a mispend_v of_o money_n and_o time_n both_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v reserve_v for_o necessary_a use_n and_o a_o needless_a disquiet_v of_o their_o mind_n be_v already_o sufficient_o ground_v and_o settle_v in_o the_o truth_n how_o just_a and_o true_a this_o complaint_n be_v in_o some_o respect_n we_o be_v not_o now_o to_o discuss_v but_o for_o this_o matter_n whereof_o we_o speak_v it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v if_o so_o it_o please_v god_n that_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o and_o that_o we_o have_v as_o great_a plenty_n of_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o sound_n teacher_n of_o the_o truth_n as_o of_o the_o stone_n in_o the_o street_n and_o in_o one_o word_n that_o all_o the_o people_n of_o god_n do_v prophecy_n but_o be_v it_o so_o indeed_o do_v knowledge_n religion_n godliness_n and_o all_o the_o mean_n thereof_o or_o not_o rather_o palpable_a ignorance_n atheism_n and_o superstition_n abound_v in_o most_o place_n yea_o sure_o the_o complaint_n of_o the_o prophet_n hos._n 4._o 1._o be_v more_o true_a there_o be_v no_o knowledge_n or_o fear_n of_o god_n in_o the_o land_n but_o what_o of_o this_o be_v this_o to_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o want_n of_o book_n and_o other_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n sure_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n why_o either_o some_o place_n shall_v complain_v of_o want_n or_o any_o loath_a their_o plenty_n in_o this_o behalf_n we_o have_v more_o book_n learned_o and_o godle_o write_v than_o we_o do_v use_v well_o and_o yet_o we_o may_v use_v more_o well_o then_o we_o have_v there_o be_v and_o will_v be_v as_o long_o as_o the_o church_n remain_v here_o on_o earth_n a_o needful_a use_n of_o new_a tracttate_n comment_n sermon_n catechism_n and_o determination_n as_o new_a reason_n illustration_n and_o methode_n be_v invent_v as_o new_a doubt_n controversy_n error_n and_o herese_n do_v arise_v as_o this_o or_o that_o vice_n do_v reign_v and_o as_o man_n give_v themselves_o diverse_o to_o the_o study_v of_o particular_a head_n of_o doctrine_n and_o part_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n all_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v at_o any_o one_o hand_n where_o one_o sleep_v another_o wake_v one_o be_v concise_a and_o dark_a another_o large_a and_o plain_a one_o dry_a and_o barren_a a_o other_o full_a and_o pithy_a yea_o in_o diverse_a writer_n thou_o shall_v see_v the_o admirable_a variety_n of_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o so_o be_v stir_v up_o to_o praise_v the_o great_a bounty_n of_o god_n towards_o his_o church_n the_o doctrine_n accord_v to_o godliness_n as_o the_o apostle_n define_v divinity_n be_v a_o large_a field_n wherein_o ten_o thousand_o may_v labour_n continual_o and_o all_o have_v elbow_n room_n yea_o each_o one_o differ_v from_o the_o rest_n not_o only_o in_o manner_n but_o also_o in_o matter_n and_o argument_n howsoever_o all_o do_v handle_v the_o same_o doctrine_n in_o general_n as_o for_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n in_o some_o case_n it_o ought_v not_o any_o way_n to_o trouble_v or_o offend_v any_o man_n see_v that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o while_o we_o remain_v here_o on_o earth_n we_o shall_v both_o know_v and_o prophesy_v whether_o by_o speak_v or_o by_o writing_n not_o perfect_o but_o only_o in_o part_n a_o few_o contradiction_n do_v not_o as_o it_o may_v seem_v either_o impair_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o teacher_n or_o shake_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o hearer_n of_o god_n word_n but_o rather_o strengthen_v and_o uphold_v both_o for_o hereby_o it_o appear_v that_o man_n do_v not_o as_o the_o prophet_n compaline_v jere._n 23._o 30._o steal_v the_o word_n of_o god_n one_o from_o a_o other_o deliver_v for_o sound_v doctrine_n whatsoever_o the_o most_o do_v hold_v and_o teach_v rather_o than_o what_o they_o themselves_o do_v think_v and_o so_o conspire_v together_o in_o a_o compact_a form_n of_o doctrine_n be_v not_o many_o but_o only_o one_o witness_n but_o be_v in_o their_o conscience_n before_o god_n persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n which_o they_o profess_v and_o teach_v it_o be_v but_o folly_n to_o look_v for_o in_o mortal_a and_o earthly_a man_n a_o heavenly_a and_o angelical_a harmony_n void_a of_o all_o jar_a it_o be_v rather_o our_o part_n to_o labour_v in_o repress_v that_o pride_n and_o selfelove_a of_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n whereby_o man_n carnal_o mind_v and_o affect_v be_v make_v to_o swell_v in_o anger_n and_o hatred_n against_o those_o who_o do_v not_o in_o every_o respect_n dance_v after_o their_o pipe_n be_v more_o alienate_v from_o their_o brethren_n for_o some_o few_o contradiction_n then_o join_v together_o in_o christian_a love_n by_o their_o consent_n in_o all_o the_o point_n of_o religion_n beside_o mild_a and_o modest_a dissent_v work_v out_o the_o truth_n as_o the_o strike_n of_o flinte_n together_o do_v spark_n of_o fire_n and_o that_o often_o come_v to_o pass_v errando_fw-la via_fw-la reperta_fw-la try_v all_o and_o keep_v the_o best_a but_o we_o trust_v that_o no_o man_n will_v make_v these_o objection_n which_o we_o imagine_v or_o think_v much_o less_o speak_v evil_a of_o that_o which_o be_v intend_v for_o his_o good_a that_o which_o one_o mislike_v another_o perhaps_o will_v approve_v and_o if_o student_n waste_v their_o ink_n and_o we_o be_v their_o pen_n and_o printer_n venture_v their_o pain_n and_o
although_o he_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o any_o supernatural_a grace_n bestow_v on_o he_o to_o this_o we_o answer_v confess_v that_o the_o true_a illumination_n of_o the_o mind_n can_v not_o be_v sever_v from_o freedom_n of_o will_n but_o yet_o that_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o can_v be_v attain_v unto_o by_o the_o natural_a inclination_n of_o the_o will_v who_o although_o he_o may_v by_o natural_a mean_n get_v a_o superficial_a and_o as_o it_o be_v usual_o call_v a_o historical_a knowledge_n of_o all_o the_o point_n of_o religion_n yet_o be_v it_o impossible_a for_o he_o to_o get_v any_o such_o true_a knowledge_n as_o will_v be_v effectual_a to_o move_v his_o will_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o good_a for_o howsoever_o many_o carnal_a man_n seem_v to_o have_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n yet_o they_o be_v far_o from_o be_v firm_o ground_v in_o the_o truth_n but_o do_v make_v a_o fair_a show_n of_o religion_n faith_n and_o holiness_n whenas_o their_o heart_n be_v full_a of_o atheism_n unbelief_n and_o all_o sinfulness_n in_o the_o which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n they_o be_v more_o wilful_a stubborn_a and_o desperate_a than_o they_o who_o be_v altogether_o void_a of_o knowledge_n neither_o indeed_o be_v it_o any_o marvel_n that_o a_o natural_a man_n shall_v be_v unable_a to_o resist_v and_o offer_v violence_n to_o his_o nature_n to_o deny_v himself_o and_o all_o worldly_a pleasure_n to_o forsake_v his_o sin_n which_o be_v more_o pleasant_a to_o he_o then_o life_n itself_o and_o all_o for_o hope_v of_o eternal_a salvation_n whereof_o he_o neither_o see_v any_o probability_n for_o the_o time_n present_a nor_o can_v have_v any_o certainty_n and_o assurance_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v if_o it_o be_v here_o ask_v what_o shall_v be_v the_o hindrance_n why_o man_n be_v now_o sinful_a not_o as_o well_o incline_v himself_o to_o good_a as_o he_o be_v innocent_a do_v choose_v evil_a and_o so_o return_v to_o his_o first_o state_n by_o the_o same_o way_n whereby_o he_o fall_v from_o it_o we_o answer_v that_o as_o a_o man_n have_v his_o sight_n and_o life_n have_v in_o his_o own_o power_n either_o to_o keep_v they_o or_o to_o spoil_v himself_o of_o they_o by_o put_v out_o his_o eye_n and_o by_o kill_v himself_o yet_o after_o that_o he_o be_v blind_a and_o dead_a he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o take_v again_o unto_o himself_o his_o sight_n and_o life_n so_o man_n be_v in_o his_o innocency_n endue_v with_o spiritual_a life_n and_o a_o ready_a inclination_n to_o all_o good_a have_v power_n to_o continue_v in_o that_o estate_n if_o he_o have_v so_o think_v good_a but_o after_o that_o he_o have_v once_o by_o freedom_n of_o will_n lose_v the_o goodness_n of_o his_o will_n and_o whole_o deprive_v himself_o of_o the_o spiritual_a life_n of_o holiness_n he_o can_v not_o be_v now_o dead_a in_o sin_n restore_v himself_o to_o the_o state_n of_o life_n and_o therefore_o he_o have_v no_o more_o power_n of_o choose_v good_a than_o a_o dead_a man_n want_v the_o fountain_n of_o motion_n be_v able_a to_o move_v himself_o about_o any_o business_n if_o it_o be_v further_o ask_v why_o the_o word_n of_o god_n bid_v man_n believe_v forsake_v their_o sin_n turn_v themselves_o to_o god_n repent_v be_v holy_a refuse_v evil_a and_o choose_v the_o good_a if_o so_o be_v they_o be_v by_o nature_n altogether_o unable_a to_o do_v any_o of_o these_o thing_n or_o how_o that_o man_n can_v be_v just_o blame_v or_o condemn_v for_o not_o do_v that_o which_o be_v not_o incident_a into_o their_o nature_n neither_o possible_a to_o be_v perform_v by_o any_o natural_a man_n and_o last_o why_o man_n shall_v trouble_v themselves_o in_o use_v the_o mean_n of_o attain_v to_o regeneration_n &_o salvation_n see_v that_o all_o their_o labour_n be_v in_o vain_a without_o the_o supernatural_a work_n of_o god_n and_o not_o rather_o sit_v still_o and_o expect_v the_o time_n wherein_o the_o lord_n will_v change_v their_o nature_n &_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o holiness_n we_o answer_v in_o one_o word_n to_o all_o these_o doubt_n that_o the_o scripture_n bid_v man_n to_o choose_v good_a and_o become_v holy_a do_v command_v nothing_o but_o that_o which_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o do_v and_o therefore_o do_v not_o mean_a that_o man_n shall_v go_v about_o to_o change_v their_o own_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o endue_v themselves_o with_o spiritual_a grace_n but_o only_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v careful_a in_o use_v the_o mean_n of_o holiness_n as_o namely_o the_o abstain_v from_o those_o sin_n whereunto_o they_o be_v give_v the_o avoid_n of_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n &_o the_o do_v of_o whatsoever_o be_v effectual_a for_o this_o purpose_n and_o may_v be_v do_v by_o a_o unregenerate_a man_n but_o whenas_o man_n be_v altogether_o careless_a of_o their_o own_o salvation_n contemn_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o all_o other_o mean_n of_o it_o yea_o add_v one_o measure_n of_o sinfulness_n to_o a_o other_o who_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o they_o make_v themselves_o subject_a to_o the_o just_a sentence_n of_o eternal_a damnation_n and_o therefore_o this_o natural_a impotency_n of_o will_n which_o be_v in_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o make_v any_o man_n cease_v from_o use_v the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n for_o howsoever_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o or_o any_o other_o creature_n to_o change_v his_o own_o heart_n and_o nature_n yet_o he_o shall_v find_v god_n to_o be_v ready_a and_o near_o at_o hand_n to_o all_o those_o that_o call_v upon_o he_o and_o never_o to_o be_v want_v for_o his_o part_n it_o remain_v that_o we_o do_v brief_o show_v what_o liberty_n and_o ability_n of_o will_n be_v remain_v in_o man_n in_o this_o corrupt_a state_n wherein_o if_o he_o have_v no_o will_n he_o have_v not_o in_o he_o the_o whole_a fountain_n of_o life_n &_o motion_n and_o so_o he_o be_v no_o man_n yea_o in_o truth_n worse_o than_o any_o brute_n beast_n &_o if_o he_o have_v a_o will_n it_o be_v either_o a_o free_a will_n or_o else_o no_o will_n yet_o this_o freedom_n of_o will_n be_v not_o indefinite_a neither_o do_v it_o make_v he_o omnipotent_a &_o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o see_v how_o far_o it_o reach_v for_o the_o knowledge_n whereof_o we_o be_v to_o distinguish_v betwixt_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o of_o those_o which_o be_v simple_o good_a or_o evil_n in_o the_o first_o kind_n we_o be_v to_o reckon_v all_o common_a action_n as_o to_o eat_v to_o drink_v to_o marry_v to_o sleep_v to_o build_v to_o plough_v to_o learn_v to_o teach_v to_o study_v to_o speak_v to_o think_v and_o all_o other_o thing_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n which_o be_v neither_o command_v nor_o forbid_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o all_o these_o man_n have_v freewill_n be_v able_a of_o himself_o to_o incline_v himself_o to_o the_o do_v or_o not_o do_v of_o any_o of_o they_o as_o daily_a experience_n do_v plain_o prove_v but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o he_o in_o the_o other_o kind_n of_o thing_n either_o in_o choose_v good_a or_o in_o reject_v evil_a yet_o he_o have_v some_o freedom_n in_o these_o thing_n also_o first_o of_o good_a then_o of_o evil_a in_o the_o good_a thing_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o outward_a action_n and_o the_o inward_a grace_n in_o the_o outward_a action_n a_o carnal_a man_n have_v freewill_n be_v able_a to_o incline_v himself_o to_o the_o do_v or_o not_o do_v of_o it_o for_o example_n a_o carnal_a man_n may_v hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o not_o hear_v worship_n god_n or_o not_o worship_v he_o relieve_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n or_o not_o do_v it_o suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o perform_v the_o outward_a action_n of_o any_o christian_n duty_n but_o as_o touch_v the_o inward_a grace_n it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o get_v it_o but_o only_o to_o leave_v it_o as_o he_o can_v endue_v his_o own_o mind_n with_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n with_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n with_o the_o love_n of_o the_o godly_a and_o therefore_o his_o outward_a action_n be_v but_o a_o paint_a sheath_n or_o sepulchre_n not_o effectual_a to_o his_o own_o salvation_n yea_o in_o truth_n not_o to_o be_v esteem_v good_a again_o a_o unregenerate_a man_n may_v of_o himself_o seek_v and_o get_v inward_a grace_n as_o some_o knowledge_n of_o god_n justice_n temperance_n chastity_n patience_n and_o such_o other_o yet_o this_o do_v not_o make_v he_o to_o have_v freewill_n to_o good_a for_o first_o in_o the_o question_n of_o freewill_n this_o word_n good_a signify_v not_o any_o one_o or_o a_o few_o particular_a grace_n or_o action_n but_o a_o general_a holiness_n