82 A C.iLL TO and done you no wrong; but he did not; he doth not to this day. He is still r·3ady to receive you, if you were but ready unfeignedly, and with all your hearts to turn. And the fulness of this truth will vet more appear in the two following doctrines, whic~h I shall therefore next proceed to, before I make any further application of this. DocTRINE 3. God taketh pleasure in men's conversion and salvation, but not in their death or damnation. He had rather they would turn and live, than go on and die. I shall first teach you how to understand this, and then clear up the truth of it to you. And for the first you must observe these following things: I. A simple willingness or complacency is the first act of the will following the single apprehension of the understanding, before it proceedeth to compare things together; but the choosing act of the will is a following act, anJ supposeth the comparing practical act of the understanding; and these two acts may often be carried to contrary objects, without any fault at all in the person. 2. An unfeigned willingness may have divers degrees; some things I am so far willing of as that I will do all that lieth in my power to accomplish it, and some things I am truly willing another should do, when yet I will not do all that I am ever able to procure it, having many r€'asons to dissuade me therefrom, though yet f will do all that belongs to me to do. 3. The will of a ruler, as such, is manifested in making and executing laws: but the will of man in his simple natural capacity, or as absolute lord of his own, is manifested in desiring or resolving of events. 4. A ruler's will, as lawgiver, is first and principally that his laws be obeyed, and not at all that the penalty be executed on any, but only on supposition that they will-not obey his laws; but a ruler's will,
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