When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by His grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so, that by reason of his remaining corruption, he does not perfectly, nor only, will that which is good, but does also will that which is evil.
The Confession here speaks of the man regenerated by the Spirit of God. Freed from his bondage to sin, the Christian regains the ability to will and do the good. He is restored to a situation similar (not identical) to that of pre-fall Adam. Yet the residual effects of sin--the old nature--remain, so there is a conflict of tendencies. Sanctification in the life of the Christian leads to increasing victory over sin, though progress may be slow and sporadic, accompanied by setbacks.
Tomorrow: The will of the glorified man.
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