96 Of Free-will. Act. 4. 16. We cannot deny it,] that is, without the fhame of falfhood. Luk 14.20. I cannot come,] that is, without fuch inconvenience as am unwilling to bear. Jet. 29.17. They cannot be eaten,] that is without loathing. I Sam. 25.17. He is fuch a Son of Belial, that a man cannot fpeak to him, ] that is , without inconvenience by it. 2 Sam: 23 6. They cannot be taken with hands,] that is , with- out hurt. Gen. 34. 14. We cannot do this thing,] that is , without God. XXXII. Oft times this inconvenience procuring unwillingnefs, this unwillingnefi is namedlike impotency, and it is Paid, Men cannot, becaufe they will not. And fo it is indivers of the laft cited inftances. Job. 3. 9, They cannotfin,] that is, They will not. Luk. 14.20. Ihave married a wife, and thereforeIcannot come,] that is, I will not, becaufe Icannot without this inconvenience. Neh. 6.3. I cannot come down,] that is, I willnot. Gen.44.26. We cannotgo down. Jofh. 24. 19. Ye cannot ferve the Lord; for he isa holyGod : that is,you arenot difpofed to do it holily, and then he will deftroy you. Joh. 6. 6o. This is a hardfaying, who can hear it ? ] that is, willingly. Ifa. 49.15. Can a woman forget her flick- ing-Child ? ] that is, will ¡he forget it? Jer. 2.32. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments? Mar. 2. [9. Can the Children of the Bridegroom fall ? &c. Mar. 9. 39. Canye drink of the Cup that I drink of, and be baptized? &c. 39. They fetid unto him, we can,] that is, Have you Will, difpofed for fuch fufferings, and will you go through them? Andthis unwillingnefs when it is habitual and prevalent, is it that is commonly called mans moral impotency, as to believe, love, obey, &c. XXXIII. This impotency which is the moral pravity of the Will bath diversdegrees : And the fame degreeof received help from God, will not cure it in one thatwill in another. Thegodlyhatce Tome of, it, and the ungodly more, and force of them more than others. But we ufe to call it abfolutely a moral impotency, when the indifpofition of the Soul is fuch, as that none fuch ever do believe and content without snore help of Grace thanyet they have received. Andwe ufe to fay that he is morally able, or hathpower, whole indifpofìtion is not fogreat nor Grace fo fmall, but thatforre in that cafe by that fame help do believe and con- lent, though it berarely. But that power is morally called impotency, which nomanever reducethto a&. XXXIV. This moral Power is yet fhort bothof AbF and Habit ; For a Habit is not only a power toAâ, but to A&promptly, and eafly, and aright. XXXV. By all this you maypartly feehow to anfwer the common queltions about mens power or impotency to believe, and to love God. Queft. I. Is every man able to believe, andlove God ? Anfw. Every man bath that natural faculty, which hath fufficient of that fort ofpower called natural, to do it, fuppofing neceffary con- currents. Queft. 2. Is anyman naturally able,without Divinefupport andconcurfe, andwithout neceffäry Objetis, Concaufes and Media? Anfw. No : no more than to make himfelf an Angel. He never had fuch power in Innocency. Quea.
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