138 'wont( TÌIE IÌJLT S)'ÌRIT all this, it Both not purge the conscience from des works; that is, conscience is not hereby wrought unto such an abhorren y of sin for itself as continually to direct the soul unto an application to the blood of Christ, for the cleansing of itself, and the purging of it out. It contents itself to keep all things in a tumult, disorder, and confusion, by its constant condemning both sin and sinners. Sect. 18. (4.) This work operates greatly on the af- fections; we have given instances in the fear, sorrow, joy, and delight, about spiritual things, that are stirred up and acted therebyt but yet it comes short in two things of a thorough-work upon the affections themselves: for (I.) It doth not fix them. And, (2.) It doth not fill them. (1.) It is required that our affections be fixed on hea- venly and spiritual things, and true grace will effect it. Col. iii, 1, 2. 0 If ye be risen with Christ, seek those c, things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the rT right hand of God. Set your affections on things re above." The joys, the fears, the hopes, the sorrows, with reference unto spiritual.and eternal things, which the work before mentioned dotti produce, are evanid, Uncertain, unstable; not only as to the degrees, but as to the very being of them. Sometimes they are as a river ready to overflow its banks; men cannot but be pouring them out on all - occasions. And sometimes as waters that fail, no drop comes front them. Sometimes they are hot, and sometimes cold; sometimes up, and sometimes down; sometimes all heaven, and sometimes all world, without equality, without stability. But true grace fixeth the affections on spiritual things. As to the degrees of their exercise, there may be and is in them great variety, according as they may be excited, aided, assisted by grace, and the means of it, or ob- structed and impeded by the interposition of temptations and diversions. But the constant bent and inclination of renewed affections is unto spiritual things, as the scripture every where testifieth, and experience cloth confirm. (2.) The forementioned work doth not fill the 'affections; however it may serve to take them up and pacify them. It comes, like many strangers, to an inn to lodge, which take up a great deal of room, and make an appearance, as if none were in the house but them- selves; and yet they turn not out the family which dwelleth there, but there they make their abode still. Light and conviction, with all their train and attendants, come into the mind and affections, as if they Would fiil theta and possess them for themselves alone. But ye, when they have done all, they leave the quiet places of the house for the world,.and sin, and self; they do not thrust them out of the affections, and fill up their places with spiritual things. But saving grace fills up the al. fections with spiritual things, fills the soul with spiritual love, joy, and delight, and exerciseth all other affec- tions about their proper objects. It denies not a room to any other things, relations, possessions, enjoyments, merely as they are natural, and-are content to be sub- ordinate unto God-, and spiritual things. But, if they would be carnal, disorderly, or predominant, it casts them out, Sect. 19. -5. This work is oftentimes carried on very far in reformation of life, and conversation; so that it . will express the whole form of godliness therein. But herein also it is subject unto a threefold defect and im perfection, For '(f.) It will consist with and allow of raging and reigning sins ofignorance. The conducting light in this work not leading into the abhorrency of all sin as sin, nor into a pursuit of holiness, out of a design to be universally conformable unto Christ; but, being gathered up from this and that particular command, it oft=times leaves behind it great sins unregarded, So it left persecution in Paul before his conversion; and so it leaves hatred and a desire of persecution in many at this day. And other sins of the like nature may escape its utmost search to the ruin of the soul. (2.) Its re- formation of the conversation is seldom universal as to all known- sins, unless it be for a season, whilst the soul is under a flagrant pursuit of self -righteousness. Paul, in that condition, had preservedhimself, so as that, ac- cording to the law, he was blameless; and the young man thought he had kept all the commandments from his youth, But, setting aside this consideration, not- withstanding the utmost that this work can attain unto, after the efficacy of its first impressions begin to abate, lust will reserve some peculiar way of venting and dis- covering itself, which is much spoken unto. (3.) The conversations of persons who live and abide under the power of this work only, is assuredly fading and de- caying; coldness, sloth, negligence, love of the world, carnal wisdom and security, do every day get ground upon them. Hence, although by a long course of ab- stinence front open sensual sins, and stating of a contra.
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