A Body of Divinity, Vol. 3 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger CatechismRidgley, Thomas
Religion
A Body of Divinity, Vol. 3 (of 4): Wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended, being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly's Larger Catechism
That man acts freely in those things which are agreeable to his nature,
as an intelligent creature, all will allow. Moreover, we consider the
understanding and will, as both concurring in actions that are free, and
that one of these is subservient to the other; as for instance, we
cannot be said to desire, delight in, choose, or refuse a thing unless
we have some idea of it, as an object, which we apprehend meet to be
desired or rejected.
And if it be farther enquired, Whether the will has, in itself, a power
to follow the dictates of the understanding, in things that are
agreeable to our nature, and be generally disposed to do it, unless
biassed by the passions, inclining and determining it another way? This,
I think, is not to be denied; but in our present argument, we are to
consider the will of man as conversant about things supernatural, and
accordingly, must give a different account of Christian liberty, from
that which is merely human, as before described. The Pelagians will
allow what has been said concerning the nature of liberty in general;
but the difference between us and them is, that we confine it within its
own sphere; whereas they extend it farther, and apply it to
regeneration, effectual calling, and conversion; in which respect it
discovers itself no otherwise than as enslaved to, or a servant of
sin;[13] and the powers and faculties of the soul, with relation
hereunto, are weakened by the prevalency of corruption, so that we are
not able to put forth those actions which proceed from, and determine a
person to be _renewed in the spirit of his mind_; or to have _put on the
new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness_.
Again, if it be farther enquired; whether the will necessarily follows
the dictates of the understanding, so that the grace of God takes its
first rise from thence? that which I would say in answer thereunto is,
That the understanding, indeed, represents things spiritual and heavenly
to us, as good and desirable, and worthy of all acceptation; and gives
us an undeniable conviction, that all the motives used in scripture, to
choose and embrace them, are highly probable; but yet it does not follow
from hence, that the will of man is always overcome thereby;[14] and the
reason is, because of that strong propensity and inclination that there
is in corrupt nature to sin, which bids defiance to all those arguments
and persuasions that are used to the contrary, till we are brought under
the influence of a supernatural principle, implanted in the soul in
effectual calling.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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