§. 81. Of Hardness of Heart, what it is.
1. HArdness of heart is an insensibleness of such means as are afforded to 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 one from wickedness: or rather a wilfull obstinacy against them: for with∣out mans will the heart cannot be hardened. Therefore here and in sundry other places, (as Exod. 9. 34. 1 Sam. 6. 6. 2 Chron. 36. 13.) this act is applied to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himself; for the Will is free, and cannot be compelled or forced: take away free∣dom from the Will, and you take away the nature of the Will. Therefore God himself, when he converteth a sinner worketh in him both to a 1.2 will, and to do: first to will, then to do, Phil. 2. 13.
That we may the better discern how wilfulness causeth the hardness of heart 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spoken of, we are to consider hardness of heart in a double respect: as it is natural, and as it is habituall.
- 1. Naturall hardness of heart is in all men: as other corruptions seized on 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.3 nature by Adams fall, so hardness of heart. Man by nature is given to withstand, and oppose against all means afforded to keep him from sinne, and in this oppos•…•…∣tion to remain obstinate, so as to be confounded rather then yield. This is the stony heart that is in man by nature, Ezek. 11. 19.
- 2. Habituall hardness of heart is an increase of the former, and that by 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 further wilfulness. All mankinde in Adams loins, as he was a publique perso•…•…, wilfully opposed against God: and every one in his own person is given by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more and more to oppose; but some more obstinately and impenitently then o∣thers. In such the Apostle joyneth hardness, and an impenitent heart together, and sheweth that such treasure up to themselves wrath, Rom. 2. 5. Adams first sinne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wilfulness in it: so as there is wilfulness in mans naturall hardness. Much more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there wilfulness in his habituall hardness.
Object. Against this it is Objected, that God, and Satan, and other men do •…•…∣den a mans heart.
Answ. In generall I Answer, that none of those do free a man from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in that hardness of heart which seizeth on him: so as in this respect we may say•…•… him that is of an hard heart, O man, thou hast destroyed thy self, Hos. 13. 9.
To clear this point more fully, I will distinctly, shew, how God, how Satan, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other men are said to harden a mans heart.
God doth it in justice, Satan in malice, other men in wilfulness.