THus these Pharisaicall boasters may see by these glimps of A∣dams tryall, what cause we have to boast of Free-will as suc∣cessive or hereditary from Adam to us, which indeed is nothing, for as the Apostle saith, of our selves we can doe nothing, no not so much as to think a good thought, or to speake a good word; as we may see by the example of Jacobs sonnes unto Joseph, Gen. 17. 4. where it is said, they could not speake peaceably unto him; and our Saviour saith of the Pharisees, How can ye that be evill speake good things; so that Jacobs sonnes abounding with malice could not speake peaceably unto Joseph, and the Pharisees being a genera∣tion of Vipers, could not speake well of Christ; As an evill tree then cannot bring forth good fruit, Mat. 7. 18. and as a Moore can∣not change his hew, or a Leopard his spots, no more can he that is accustomed to doe evill doe that which is good.
Again, sinne hath not a desire to the Soule, but the Soule rather* 1.1 to it, and so at the uttermost it can but follow, that man by his naturall power can only resist a temptation; which thing was not apparent at all in Adam, for it is not said that he made any re∣sistance at all, but presently at the first sight received it, The Woman gave me (saith he) and I did eate. A very powerfull resistance for us to imitate or boast of.
So farre are we then from having Free-will, as that both the preparation of the heart, and the answer of the tongue, is both said to be from the Lord, Prov. 16. 1. The Wise man also saith, Mans go∣ings are of the Lord, how can he then direct his owne steps, Jer. 10. 23. Again, Who is he that saith, and it commeth to passe when the Lord commandeth it not? Lamen. 3. 37. as also by these words of our Saviour to his Apostles, Take no thought what ye shall speake, for it shall be given you, &c. for it is not you that speak but the Spirit of the Father that speaketh in you, Matth. 10. 19. It is also said, Exod. 31. 2. that the Lord called by name Bezaleell