always present to him;" that "in his flesh dwells no good thing;" and that he has need of a continuance of the promised supply of grace, according to his hour of need.

Man, in his regenerate state, is freed from the dominion, but not from the existence of sin. Though the renewed will is powerfully inclined, by the SPIRIT, to spiritual obedience, as its greater good; yet the believer "sees another law in his members warring against the law of his mind." "With the mind, (or renewed will,) he serves the law of GOD; but with the flesh, the law of sin." Hence arises the necessity of considering the inclinations of the will, in the regenerate, as twofold: being operated on by the SPIRIT through the understanding; and influenced by the flesh. It would further appear, that both operations are in continual exercise, and at the same time.

The soul of fallen man is likewise become, as it were, the field of action between two opposite powers; which

may be considered, as continually striving for the mastery. These are the SPIRIT of Gov, on the one hand; and, on the other, that of Satan, which works and reigns in the children of disobedience.* Love and gratitude to CHRIST Constrain the former; and the power of selfishness and of self-interest, influences the latter. The spiritual influence of Satan is therefore another obstacle, which must be overcome, in order that the will may "refuse the evil and choose the good." In this spiritual conflict, the flesh and the influence of the evil one are on one side; and the SPIRIT of GOD on the other.

In considering the will, free agency, and responsibility of man, another subject remains to be elucidated. The conversion of the inner man, and the renewal of all the faculties of the soul, are attributed in the Scriptures, to the written Word; to the free and unmerited grace of GoD; and to the will of man.

•Vide Appendix F.

In proceeding to the solution of this theological parodox, I shall consider each of these subjects separately. We must be careful to give to each, its scriptural prominence; to avoid equally the error of the Necessarians, who deny the freedom of human agency, in effecting the preference of the will: and the heresy of the Arminians, in ascribing to man, that moral ability of will, which is at direct variance with the free grace and Sovereignty of GoD, and with the testimony of His revealed Word.

I would consider the conversion of man, as attributed in the first place to the written Word.

The Word is called the sword of the SPIRIT. It is the instrument used by the SPIRIT, for the regeneration of the human soul. It is the weapon, with which the old Adam is subdued, the will of man brought into subjection to that of GOD, and His kingdom established in the soul. This victory over the flesh, however, is not gained, without

the concurrence of the understanding. And the written Word is presented as the means, by which the SPIRIT convinces the mind He has opened to receive its reasons and motives. And, because this presentation is absolutely necessary for carrying into effect the purposes of GOD, according to His established order of means; conversion is constantly attributed, in the Scriptures, to the written Word.

Again, conversion is secondly ascribed to the free grace of God; and it is distinctly declared that salvation cannot be merited, by any good works done before justification, nor yet by our subsequent conduct: but salvation is grounded solely, on the electing Will or love of GoD, as the only original cause; by which He determined, before the foundation of the world, to restore a certain number of the fallen race of man, to a resemblance of their primitive state, by a spiritual union to His SON. The design of this election was not the salvation of the Church only ;

but especially the vindication of the Divine Perfections, and the manifestation of the character of God, to the whole rational creation, throughout the extended universe. And a fair consideration of this glorious truth, could not fail of removing the prejudice of the natural heart, against the doctrine of election.

Conversion is thus ascribed to the electing Will or love of GoD, and to the internal operations of His HOLY SPIRIT; because the Divine Will is the original cause, and the grace of the SPIRIT the only operative principle, by which these effects could be produced. The beginning of salvation, or the effectual calling of the Saints, flows from the eternal decree of GoD the FATHER; the dispensation of redemption and salvation is through the Mediation of GOD the SON: and the application, by GoD the HOLY GHOST.

Lastly, conversion, or salvation, or a deliverance from the guilt and power of sin, is also attributed, in the