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DIAL. III.
Verse 15. For I allow not that which I do; for what I wold that I do not, but what I hate that I do.
VVHat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the purpose and drift of this Text?
The Apostle Paul intendeth in his owne* 1.1 person to describe and set foorth the spirituall combate and strife which is in euery regenerate man betweene corruption and grace; the which he setteth forth by re∣hearsing three sharpe assaults (like three strong fits of an Ague) which his flesh and corruption did make against his minde, being renued by the Spirit. The first assault, is, that he found in himselfe two contrary grounds of his actions, to wit; Originall sinne, still abiding in his na∣ture, and his regenerate wil wrestling like the two twins in Rebeccaes wombe; the one made him hate God, and do that which is euill; the other, caused him to hate e∣uill, and to will that which is good, vnto verse 18. The second assault was, that, when his purpose and will was good, it had no good effect but a quite repugnant and contrary effect, verse 19, 20. The third is, that hee felt two contrary Lawes enforcing him; the one, vnto ho∣linesse and life, the other, vnto sinne and death, Verse 21, 22, 23.
Tell vs now what is the Sum of this present Text?
Thus much: that though his heart being renu∣ed, did abhorre all euill, and approoue good things on∣ly, yet through sinne dwelling in him, he was violently drawne to those euill things which he abhorred, & from those good things which he allowed, which proues his former complaint to be true; for hee did thinges quite contrary to his iudgement and will, through the force of flesh remaining, haling and carrying awry.
What be the parts of this Text?
Two: First, he generally propoundeth the strife betweene his will, being good by grace, and his nature remaining corrupt, in the 15. verse. Secondly, hee doth more particularly and distinctly, lay downe both the