286 TliE POSITIVE R'0 first way whereby that principle doth act itself in an holy inclination of the heart unto spiritual obedience. So, when the people of Israel had engaged themselves by solemn covenant, to hear and do whatsoever God commanded, God adds concerning it, " Oh that, there s. Were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, "and keep all my commandments always," Dent. v.29.1 that is, that the bent and inclinations of their hearts were always unto obedience. It is that which is intend- ed in the promise of the covenant, Jer. xxxii. 33. I will give them one heart, that they may fear me, which is the same with the new Spirit, Ezelc. xi. 19. The new heart, as hath been declared, is the now nature, the new .creature, the new spiritual supernatural prin- ciple of holiness; the first effect, the first fruit hereof is, thefear of God always, or a newspiritual-bent and in- clination of soul unto all the will and commandsof God. And this new Spirit, this fear of God, is still expressed Rs the inseparable consequent of the new heart, or the writing of the law of God in our hearts, which are the same. So.it is called, Fearing MeLord andhis good- nress, Hos. iii. In like manner it is expressed by love, which is the inclination of the soul unto all acts of obedience unto God and communion with him, with delight and.complacency. It is a regard unto God and his will, with a reverence due unto his nature, and a delight in him suited unto that cavenant-relation where- in he stands unto us. Sect. 1$. 3. It is, moreover, expressed by being spiritually minded: y'o be spiritually minded is life and peace, Rom..viii. 6. that is, the bent and inclination of the mind unto spiritual things, is that whereby we live to God, and enjoy peace with him, it is life and peace. By nature we savour only the things of the flesh, and mind earthly things, Phil. iii. 19. our minds or hearts are set upon them, disposed towards them, ready for all things that lead us to the enjoyment of them, and satisfaction in them. But, hereby, we mind the things that are above, or set our affections on them, Col: iii. 3. By virtue hereof, David professeth, that his soul followed hardafter God, Psal. lxiii..8..or in- clined earnestly unto all these ways whereby he might live unto him, mad come unto the enjoyment of him: ]the the'earnestness which is in him who is in the pur- suit of sotnething.continually in his eye, as our apostle expresseth it, iii. 13, 14. By the :pestle Peter, RE or THE 31'1tttC. it is compared unto that natural inclination, which is in those that are hungry unto food, 1 Peter ii. 2. its new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby, which is a constant unalterable inclination. 'phis, therefore, is that which I intend. livery na- ture hath its disposition unto actings suitable unto it. The principle of holiness is such a nature, a new or di- vine nature; wherever it is, it constantly inclines the soul unto duties and acts of holiness; it produced] a constant disposition unto them. And, as by the prin- ciple itself; the contraryprinciple of sin and flesh is im- paired and subdued, so by this gracious disposition, the inclination unto sin, which is in us, is weakened, im- paired, and gradually taken away. Sect. 19.Wherefore, wherever this holiness is, it doth dispose or incline the wholesoul unto acts and du- ties of holiness, and that, (I.) Universally or impar- tially. (2.) Constantly or evenly. (3.) Permanently unto the end. And where these things arenot, nomul- tiplication of,duties will either make or denominate any person holy. .(I.) There is-no duty of holiness whatever, but there is a disposition in a sanctifiedheart unto it. There is a respect unto all God's commands. Some of them may be more .contrary unto- our natural inclinations than others, some more cross unto our present secular interests, some attended with more difficulties and disadvantages than others; and some may be rendered very hazardousby the circumstances of times and sea- sons. But, however, if there be a gracious principle in our hearts, it will equally incline and dispose us unto every one of them in its proper place and season. 'And the reason hereof is, because it being a new nature, it equallyinclines unto all that belongs unto it, asall acts of holy obedience do. Por every nature bath an equal propensity unto all its natural operations, in their times and seasons. Hence our 'Saviour tried the rich young man, whogave an account of his duties and righteous- ness, with one that lay close unto his secular interests and worldly satisfactions. This immediately carried him off, and evidenced that all he had done besides, was not from an internal principleof spiritual life. Any other principleor cause of duties and obedience, sill, upon solicitations, give way -unto an habitual reserve of onething or other that is contrary thereunto. It
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