IN THE SANCTIFICATION OF BELIEVERS. 287 will admit either of the omission of some duties, or of ters still press forward continually. Elereby Both the soul set God always before lzinz, and walk continually as in his sight. Men may perform duties of obedience unto God, yea, many of them, yea, be engaged into a constant courseof them as to their outward performance, on other grounds, from other principles, and by virtue of other motives. But whatever they are, they are not a new nature in and unto the soul, and so do not dis- pose men constantly and evenly unto what they least unto. Sometimes their impressions on the mind are strong and violent, there is no withstanding of them, but the duties they require must instantly be complied withal. So is it when convictions are excited by dan- gers or afflictions, strong desires, or the like. And, again, they leave the soul unto its own formality and course, without the least impression from them towards any duties whatever. There is no cause nor principle, or reason of obedience, besides this one insisted on, . that will evenly and constantly incline unto the acts of it. Men proceeding only upon the power of convic- tions, are like those at sea, who sometimes meet with storms, or vehement winds, which fit them for their course, arad would seem immediately to drive them, as it were, with violence into their port or harbour, but quickly after they have an utter calm, no breath of air stirs to help them forward; and then, it may be, after a while, another gust of wind befals them, which they again suppose will dispatch their voyage, but that also quickly fails them. Where this principle is, persons have a natural current, which carries them on quickly, evenly, and constantly; and although they may some- times meet with storms, tempests, and cross winds, yet the stream, the current, which is natural, at length worketh its way, and holds on its course through all external occasional impediments_ Sect.. 23. (3.). It isalsopermanent herein,and abideth for ever. It will never cease incliningand disposing the whole soul unto acts and duties of obedience, until it comes unto the end of them all in the enjoyment of God. It is livingwater,andwhosoever dripkethof it shall never thirst any more, that is, with a total indigence of sup- plies ofgrace, but it is a 'well ofwater springing up into everlasting life, John. iv. 14. It springs up, and that, as always, without intermission, becauseit is livingwater, from which vital acts are inseparable, so permanently without ceasing, it springe sep into everlasting lfe, and 29 the commission of somesin, or of the retaining of some lust. So Naaman, who vowed obedience upon his conviction of the power of the God of Israel, would, nevertheless, upon the solicitation of his worldly inte- rest, have a reserve to bow in the house of Rimmon. So omissions of duties that are dangerous, in a way of profession, or the reserve of some corrupt affections, love ofthe world, pride oflife, will be admitted upon any other principle of obedience, and that habitually: for, even those who have this real spiritual principle of holiness, maybesurprised into actual omission of duties, commissionof sins, and atemporary indulgence unto cor- rupt affections. But, habitually, they cannot be so. An habitual reserve for any thing that is sinful or morally evil, is eternally inconsistent with this principle of holi- ness. Light and darkness, fire and water, may as soon be reconciled in one. And hereby is it distinguished from all other principles, reasons, or causes, whereon men may perform any duties of obedience towards God. Sect. 20. (2.) It thus disposeth the heart unto du- ties of holiness constantly and evenly. He in whom it is feareth always, or is in the fear of the Lord all the day long. In all instances, on all occasions, it equally disposeth the mind unto acts of holy obedience. It is true, that the actings ofgrace which proceed from it, are in us sometimes more intense and vigorous than at other times. It is so also, that we are ourselves some- times more watchful, and diligently intent on all occa- sions of acting grace, whether in solemn duties, or in our general course, or on particular occasions, thanwe are at some other times. Moreover, there are espe- cial seasons wherein we meet with greater difficulties and obstructions from our lusts and temptations than ordinary, whereby this holy disposition is intercepted and impeded. But, notwithstanding all these things, which are contrary unto it, and obstructive of its ope- rations, in itself, and its own nature, it doth constant- ly and evenly incline the soul, at all times, and on all occasions, untoduties of holiness. Whatever fall's out otherwise, is accidental unto it. This disposition is like a stream that ariseth equally from a living fountain, as our Saviour expresseth it, John iv. 14. A well of water springing up into everlasting life. As this stream passeth in its course, it may meet with oppositions, that may either stop it, or divert it fora season; bat its wa- 4C =r'
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