IN THE. SANCTIFICA our neglect, suffer it to be wounded by temptations, weakened by corruptions, or not exercised in all known duties of obedience, our guilt is great, and our trouble will not be small. And then, Secondly, It is equally incumbent on us, to evidence and manifest it by its fruits in the mortification of corrupt lustsand affections, in all duties of holiness, righteousness, charity, and piety in the world;. for that God may be glorified here- by is oue of the ends why he endues our natures with it. And without these visible fruits, we expose our en- tire profession of holiness to reproach. And, in like manner, is it required,. that we be thankful for what we have received. Sect. 15.Secondly, As this principle of inherent grace or holiness bath the stature of an habit, so also bath it the properties thereof. And the first property of an habit iv, that it inclines and disposeth the subject wherein it is, unto acts of its own kind, or suitable un- to it. It is directed unto a certain end, and inclines unto acts or actions which tend thereunto, and that with evenness and constancy. Yea, moral habits are nothing but strong and firm dispositions and inclinations unto moral acts and duties oftheir own kind;, as righteousness, or temperance, or meekness. Such a disposition and inclination, therefore, there most be in this new spiri- tual nature or principle of holiness which we have de- scribed, wherewith the souls of believers are inlaid, and furnished by the Holy Ghost in their sanctifica- tion:. for, Sect.. 16. -1. It bath a certain end, to enable as whereunto it is bestowed on us. Although it be a great work in itself, that wherein the renovation of the image of God in us loth consist, yet is it not wrought in any, but . with respect unto a further end in this world.. And this end is, that we may live to God;. we are made like unto God, that we may live unto God. By the depra- vation of our natures we are alienated from this life of God, this divine spiritual life, Epb.. iv. 18. we like it not, but have an aversation unto it. Yea, we are un- der the powerof a death that is universally opposed un- to that life: for to be carnally minded is death, Rom.. viii. 6. that is, it is so with respect unto the life of God, and all the acts that belong thereunto. And this life of God bath two parts: (1.) The outward duties of it. (2.) The inward frame and actings of it: For the first, Persons under the power of corrupted nature may per- TION OF BELIEVERS. 285 form them, and do so, but without delight, constancy or permanency. The language of that principle where- by -they are actuated is, Behold what a weariness it is, Mal. i. 13. and such hypocrites will not pray always. But, as to the second, for the internal actings of faith and love, whereby all outward duties should be quick- ened and animated, they are utter strangers unto them, . utterly alienated from them.. With respect unto this life of God, a life of spiritual obedience unto God, are our natures thus spiritually renewed, or furnished with this spiritual habit and principle ofgrace. It is wrought in us that by virtue thereof we may live to God, with- out which we cannot do so in any onesingle act or duty whatever: for they that are in the flesh cannot please God, Rom. viii. S. Wherefore the first property and inseparable adjunct of it is that it incliueth and dispos- eth the soul wherein it is unto all acts and duties that belong to the life of God, or unto all the duties of ho- ly obedience, so that it shall attend unto them, not from conviction or external impression only, but from an internal genuine principle so inclining and disposing -: them thereunto. And these things may be illustrated by what is contrary unto them. There is in the state of nature a carnal mind, which is the principle of all moral and spiritual operations in them in whom it is;. and this carnal mind bath an enmity, or is enmity against God; it is not subject unto the law of God, neither in- deed can be, Rom. viii. 7. that is, the bent and inclina- tion of it lies directly against spiritual things, or the mind and will of God, in all things which concern a life of obedience unto himself. Now, as this principle of holiness is that which is introduced into our souls in opposition unto, and to the exclusion of the carnal mind;: so this disposition and inclination of it, is oppo- site and contrary unto the enmity of the carnal mind, as tending always unto actions spirituallygood, accord- ing to the mind of God:. Sect.. 17.2.. This disposition of heart and soul,. which I place as the first property or effect of the prin- ciple of holiness before declared and explained, is in the scripture called fear, love, delight, and by the names of such other affections as express a constant regard and . inclination unto their objects: for these things do not denote the principle of holiness itself, which is seated . in the mind, or understanding, and will, whereas they are the names of affections only; but they signify the ° ";.-^-a.
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