Paragraph I
God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty and power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any necessity of nature determined to do good or evil.
Scripture References
- 1
- Matthew 17: 12
12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
- James 1: 14
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
- Deuteronomy 30: 19
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
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Paragraph II
Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God, but yet was unstable, so that he might fall from it.
Scripture References
- 2
- Ecclesiastes 7: 29
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
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- 3
- Genesis 3: 6
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
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Paragraph III
Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation; so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.
Scripture References
- 4
- Romans 5: 6
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
- Romans 8: 7
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
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- 5
- Ephesians 2: 1, 5
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- 6
- Titus 3: 3-5
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
- John 6: 44
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
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Paragraph IV
When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin, and by His grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruptions, he does not perfectly, nor only will, that which is good, but does also will that which is evil.
Scripture References
- 7
- Colossians 1: 13
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
- John 8: 36
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
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- 8
- Philippians 2: 13
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
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- 9
- Romans 7: 15, 18-19, 21, 23
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Paragraph V
This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone in the state of glory only.
Scripture References
- 10
- Ephesians 4: 13
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
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