64 The Nature and Nulty Vol. II. I. What Refolution in general is. It is afixt Determination of the Will about any thing, either to do it, or not to, do it, as upon due deliberation we have judgedand concluded it to be neceffary or convenient to be done, or not tobe done by us: And this fuppofeth three things. r. Refolution fuppofeth a precedent deliberation ofthe Mind about the thing tobe refolved upon. For no prudent Man does determine or refolve upon any thing, till he have confidered the thing, and weighed it well with himfelf, and have fully debated the neceffttyand expedience of it what advantage be (hall have by the doingof it, and what danger and inconvenience will certainly or very probably redound to bim by the negle& and omi lion of it. For peremp- torily to determine and refolve upon any thing, beforea Man have done this, is not properlyRefolution, bpt precipitancy and raflmefs. 2. Refolution fuppofeth fome judgment pall upon the thing, after a Man bath thus deliberatedabout it; that he is fatisfied in his Mind otie way or other concerning it, that hisUnderftanding is convinced either that it is neceffary and convenientfor him todo it, or that it is not ; and this is fometimes calla Refo- lution, but is not that Refolution which immediately determines a man to a&ion. This Judgment of the neceffity and fitnefs of the thing, is not the Refolutionof the Will, but of theUnderftanding : for it does not lignifie that a Man bath fully determined to do the thing, but, that he hath determined with himfelf that it is reafonable to be done, and that he is no longer in doubt and fufpence whether it be beft for him to do it. or not, but is in his Mind refolved and fatisfyed one wayorother. And thefe are two verydifferent things ; to be refolved in one's Judgment, that is, to be convinced that a thing is fir and neceffary to be done, and to berefolved to fetupon the doing of it ; for nrany men are thus convinced of the fitnefs and neceffity of the thing, who yet have not the heart, cannot bring themfelves to a firm and fixt Refolution to fet upon the doingof it. So that an act of the Judgment, mutt go before the Refolutionof the Will : for as he is rafhthat refolves to do a thing before he hath deliberated about it; fo be is blind and wilful that refolves to do a thing before his judgment be fatisfied, whether it be heft-Jar him to do it or not. 3. If the matter be ofconfiderable moment and confequence, Refolution fop- pofeth force motion of the Affections; which is a kind of Biafs upon the Will, a certain Propenfion and Inclination that a Man feels in himfelf, either urging bim to do a thing, or withdrawing bim- from it. Deliberation and Judgment theydirect aMan what to do, or leaveundone; the AffeCtionsexcite andquicken a ,11(lan to take force Refolution in the matter, that is, to do fuitably to the Judg- ment his Mind hath pàft upon the thing. For inftance; A great (inner refleCts upon his Life, andconfiders what he . bath done, what the Courfe is that he lives in, and what the iffue and confequenceof it will probably or certainly be, whe- ther it will make hint happy or miferable in the conclufion ; and debating the .Matter calmly and foberly with himfelf, he is fatisfied and convinced of theEvil and Danger of a wicked Life, and confequently that it is heft for him to re- folve upon a better Gourfe, that is, to repent. Now thefe thoughts muff needs awaken ig,hini fearful apprehenfionsof the wrath of Almighty God, which is due tohim for his Sins andhangs over him, andwhich he is every moment in dan- gerof, ifhe goes on in hisEvil Courfe. Thefe thoughts are apt likewife to fill him withShame and Confufion, at the remembrance of his horrible Ingratitude to God his Maker, his belt Friend and greatelt Benefábtor, and of his defperate Folly , in-provoking Omnipotent Jufhice againft himfelf; whereupon he is hear- tily grieved and troubled for what he bath done ; and thefe Aftetions of Fear and SI me.= and. Sorrowbeingonce up, they come with great violence upon the Will, ancl urge theMan to a fpeedyRefolution of changing his Courfe, and lea- ving the Way he is in, which he is fully convinced is fo Evil and Dangerous ; and ofbetaking himfelf to another Courfe, whichhe is fully fatisfied will be much more for hisSafety and Advantage. Sothat Refolution in general, is a fixt Determination ofthe Will ; that is, Poch a Dètermination asis not onlyfor the prefent free from all wavering and doubt- ing,
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