'Ver. 18.. the EpO le to the Romans. 229 do good, it had no good effe&, but a quite contrary, being forced by dwel- ling fin, to do the evil! he willed not, and not to do the good which he willed. T 1 M. Wherein differeth this fit and part of his confia from the former? S i L. In the former fit, Paul was troubled that his (inf ill infirmities kin- dred him from doing good,and forbear- ing evill things, fo per£e&ly as he would and Ihould : now here in this fecond fit he is molefted with this,thathefound his upright purpofe and heart fo weak, and finfull corruption fo ftrong, as it did fometimes draw him unto things and a&ions dire &ly contrary unto his renewed mind, and to Gods holy will; the goodnefs of his wil,was not anfwer- ed with futable deeds, but the quite cone trary rather. T i M. What be the parts of this Text? S i L. Two; Firft, a pro pofition in there words, [I k ow that in me (that is) in my flefh, dwelleth no good thing.] Se- condly, a rcafon in there words, [for to will is prelim with me,ePc.] TIM. What is meant by this that be faith, [Ilvnew ?] SI L. Thus much : as if he fhould frankly fay, I freely and frankly ac- knowledge it as a thing known certain unto die robe fo, Thus the holy Apo- file bideth not, but ingenuoufly confef- feth his weaknefsand difability to circa what he willed well. Ti M. What are we to learn from Ibis? Si L. In this example of the Apoftle, we are to note a Chriftian duty that we mule not diffemble the weaknefs of un- regenerate nature, but be ready te, con- fers it ingenuoufly,and to acknowledge it when it (hall make to Gods glory, and the good of others. Secondly, this reproves fuch hypocrites who will not be known that they have any conflift in them, or find any defe&, as if they did only that which is good, without all ftrife. Ti M. What good is that he fpeaks of when he faith, it is not in himfelfe? SIL. Not naturall nor moral!, but fpirituall good; by the doing whereof God is wellpieafed. The earue(t delire and 4udy hereof, he eomplainethi that he alwaies bath it not in him. TI ri. But the Apo file had the hdlg Chef dwelling in him, bow then doth be fay, he bad no good dwelling in him? SI L. When he faith, that there is no good dwelling in him, he expounds himfelfe and faith, that he meaneth it of ''S.'",','°/"17 ;4Z'; his flefh. For by this word flefh, is not meant that external part of man which is called the body:but the finful corrupti- on of our nature,which is conveyed into us by earn all generation. T i M. But this was mortified and cured in Patel y the grace of Sanilifcation, bow then could he fày, [That be bath fiefh ?] S I L. His fintull corruption was its deed mortified, but yet in part only:and therefore by flefh, is here meant that re- mainder of fin, which doth Rill flick in his reafon and will, and other pat es of his foule and body, which may be thus more plainly exprefed. The Apoftle meaneth by his flefh the whole man, fo far as he was not regenerate,and had nor' perfea`tly and univerfally put offthe old man and naughtinefs of nature. TIM. Shen, us now what is meant bÿ dwelling: S i L. A firm and fixed feat or abòde; Which is more (not to dwell) then not to be in him. T i M.What is the meaning of this whole` fentence,That there was nogood dwelt in hit fe» St L. Thus much: that by reafon of fin that was refident in his nature, his purpofe and care of fpirituall good was notfo firm and confiant, but that it was rambled and overturned fundry times, by the contrary blafls of evil lofts and concupifcence. Tim. The words being thus expounded, tell us now what we are to learn out ofthem. St L. Firft ;that Paul did divide him- felfinto two parti ; whereof the one is here called the flefh, and the other the inwardman, vert'2a. Secondly, that a regenerate party, as he hath two parts, fo he knowes them, and can difcern them; as Paul complaines here of his flefh; but afterwards gives thanks for his inner man, Thirdly, godly perlons are
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