AND` GOSPEL-HOL NESS EXPLAINED, 219 gelical holiness; and it is therefore no wonder if the doctrinéof it be despised by many as an enthusiastical fancy. It is of the things of the Spirit of God, yea, it is the principal effect ofall his operations in us, and to- wards us. And these things of God knoveeth no man Me Spirit of God, 1 Cor. ii. 11.. It is by him alone that we are enabled to know the things that are freely given unto us of God, ver. 12. as this is, if ever we shall receive any thing of him in thin world, or shall do so to eternity. " Eye bath not seen, nor ear heard, " neither haveentered into the heart of man, the things ".that God bath prepared for them that love him." The comprehension of these things is not the work of any of our natural faculties, but God reveals them unto us by his Spirit, ver. 9, 10. Hence it often falls out, as it did in the Jews and Pharisees of old, that those who are most zealous and industrious for, and after a legal righteousness, walking in a strict attendance tinto duties proportionable unto light and convictions, pre- tending to be it, and bearing some resemblance of it, are the most fierce and implacable enemies of true evangelical holiness. They know it not, and therefore hate it; they have embraced something else in its place and stead; and therefore despise and persecute it, as it befalls them who embrace error for truth in any kind. Sect. 10. (9.) Believers themselves are oft-times much unacquainted with it, either as to their apprehen- sion of its true nature, causes, and effects, or at least as to their own interest and concernment therein. As we know not of ourselves the things that are wrought in us ofthe Spirit of God, so we seldom attend, as we ought, untohis instructing of us in them. It may seem strange, indeed, that whereas all believers are sanctified and made holy, that they should not understand nor apprehendwhat is wrought in them, and for them, and what abideth with them. But, alas! how little do we know of ourselves, of what we are, and whence are our powers and faculties even in things natural? Dowe know how the members ofthe body are fashionedin the womb? We are apt to be seeking after and giving reasons for all things, and to describe the progress of the produc- tion of our natures from first to last, so as, ifnot to sa- tisfy ourselves, yet to please and amuse others; for vain mean would be wise, although hebe like the wild ass's colt. The best issues of our consideration hereof is that of the 3 Psalmist: "Thou, O God, hast possessed my reins, " thou hast covered me in my mother's womb: I will "praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: " marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth " right well; My substance was not hid from thee " when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in " the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyesdid see my " substance,. yet being unperfect; and in thy book all " my members were written, which in continuancewere " fashioned, when as yet there was none of them," Psak cxxxix. 13,19, -.15, 16. By diligent consideration of these things, we may obtain. a firm foundation to stand on, in an holy admiration of the infinite wisdom and goodness of that Sovereign Architect, who bath raised this fabric unto his own glory; and what we further at, tempt is vanity and curiosity. How little do we know of these souls of ours? And all that we do so, is by their powers and operations, which are consequential unto their beings. Now, these things are our own ,naturally, they dwell and abide with us; they are we, and we are they, and nothing else;. yet is it no easy thing for us to have a reflexand intimate acquaintance with them. And is it strange, if we should be much in the dark unto this new nature, this new creature, which comes from above, from God in heaven, wherewith our natural reasonbath no acquaintance? It is new, it is wonderful, it is a work supernatural, and is known only by supernatural reve- lation. Besides, there are other things which pretend to be this gospel - holiness, and are not, whereby unspeakable multitudes are deluded and deceived. With some, any reformation oflife, and abstinence from flagitious sins, with the performance of the common duties of religion, is all which they suppose is required under this head of their duty. Others contend, with violence, to substitute moral virtues, bywhich they know not themselves what they intend, in the room thereof. And there is a work of the law, which, in the fruits of it, internal and exter- nal, in the works of righteousness and duties, which is hardly, and not but by spiritual light and measures, to be distinguished from it. Thisalso adds to the difficulty of understanding it aright, and should to our diligent inquiry into it. Sect. I1. (4.) We must also consider, that holiness is not confined to this life, but passeth over into eternity and glory. Death kath no power over it to destroy it, 26.
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