There is, and there is through grace kept up in believers*
OF INDWELLING Hl'N. 9
a constant and ordinarily prevailing will of doing good, not- withstanding the power and efficacy of indwelling sin to the contrary.
This in their worst condition, distinguisheth them from unbelievers in their best. The will in unbelievers is under the power of the law of sin. The opposition they make to sin, either in the root or branches of it, is from their light and their consciences ; the will of sinning in them is never taken away. Take away all other considerations and hin- derances, whereof we shall treat afterward, and they would sin willingly always. Their faint endeavours to answer their convictions, are far from a will of doing that which is good. They will plead, indeed, that they would leave their sins if they could, and they would fain do better than they do. But it is the working of their light and convictions, not any spiritual inclination of their wills, which they intend by that expression: for where there is a will of doing good, there is a choice of that which is good for its own excel- lency sake; because it is desirable and suitable to the soul, and therefore to be preferred before that which is contrary. Now this is not in any unbelievers ; they do not, they cannot, so choose that which is spiritually good, nor is it so excel- lent or suitable unto any principle that is in them ; only they have some desires to attain that end, whereunto that which is good doth lead, and to avoid that evil which the neglect of it tends unto. And these also are for the most part so weak and languid in many of them, that they put them not upon any considerable endeavours ; witness that luxury, sloth, worldliness, and security, that the generality of men are even drowned in. But in believers there is a will of doing good, an habitual disposition and inclination in their wills unto that which is spiritually good ; and where this is, it is accompanied with answerable effects. The will is the principle of our moral actions, and therefore unto the prevailing disposition thereof, will the general course of our actings be suited. Good things will proceed from the good treasures of the heart ; nor can this disposition be evidenced to be in any but by its fruits. A will of doing good, with- out doing good, is but pretended.
Fourthly, There is yet another thing remaining in these words of the apostle, arising from that respect tluit the pre-
10 THE NATURE AND POWER
serice of sin hath unto the time and season of duty ; ' When i would do good/ saith he^ 'evil is pre.^ent with me.'
There are two things to be considered in the will of do- ing good, that is in believers.
1, There is its habitual residence in them. They have always an habitual inclination of will unto that which is good. And this habitual preparation for good is always pre- sent with them, as the apostle expresses it, ver. 18. of this chapter.
2. There are especial times and seasons for the exer- cise of that principle. There is a 'when I would do good/ a season wherein this or that good, this or that duty, is to be performed and accomplished, suitably unto the habitual pre- paration and inclination of the will.
Unto these two, there are two things in indwelling sin opposed. To the gracious principle residing in the will, in- clining unto that which is spiritually good, it is opposed as it is a law, that is, a contrary principle inclining unto evil, with an aversation from that which is good. Unto the second, or the actual willing of this or that good in particular, unto this ' when I Vv'ould do good,' is opposed the presence of this law, ' evil is present with me,' TrapaKtToX ijioi-o (catcov ; evil is at hand and ready to oppose the actual accomplishment of the good aimed at. Whence,
Fourthly, Indwelling sin is effectually operative in rebel- linof and inclinino; to evil, when the will of doin"" p'ood is in a particular manner active, and inclining unto obedience.
And this is the description of him who is a believer, and a sinner, as every one who is the former, he is the latter also. These are the contrary principles, and the contrary opera- tions that are in him. The principles are a will of doing good, on the one hand, from grace, and a law of sin on the other. Their adverse actings and operations are insinuated in those expressions, * W^hen I would do good, evil is present with me.' And these both are more fully expressed by the apostle. Gal. v. 17. ' For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that I cannot do the things that I would.'
And here lie the springs of the whole course of our obe- dience. An acquaintance with these several principles and their actings, is the principal part of our wisdom. They are*
OF INDWELLING SIN. ll
upon the matter, next to the free grace of God in our justifi- cation by the blood of Christ, the only things wherein the glory of God and our own souls are concerned. These are the springs of our holiness and our sins, of our joys and troubles, of our refreshments and sorrows. It is then all our concernments to be thoroughly acquainted with these things, who intend to walk with God, and to glorify him in this world.