288 THE POSITIVE WOE faileth net until those, in whom it is, are safely lodged in the enjoyment of it. This is expressly promised in the covenant, I will put my fear in their hearts, and they shall not depart from me, Jer. xxxii. 40. They shall never do so in whom is this fear, which is perma- nent and endless. It is true, that it is our duty, with all care and diligence, in the use ofall means, to pre- serve, cherish, and improve both the principle itself, and its actings in these holy dispositions. We are to skew all diligence unto the,full assurance ofhope unto the end, Heb. vi. I1. And, in the use of means, and the exercise ofgrace is it, that it is infallibly kept and pre- served, Isa. xl. 81. And it is also true, that sometimes, in.some persons, upon the fierce interpositions of temp- tations, with the violent and deceitful working of lusts, the principle itself may seem for a season to be at- teroly stifled, and this property of it to be destroyed, as it seems to have been with David under his sad fall and decay. Yet such is the nature of it, that it is im- mortal, everlasting, and which shall never absolutely die; such is the relation of it unto the covenant-faith- fulness of God, and mediation of Christ, as that it shall never utterly cease or be extinguished. It abideth dis- posing and inclining the heart unto all duties of holy obedience unto the grave. Yea, ordinarily, and where its genuine work and tendency is not interrupted by cursed negligence, or love of the world, it thrives and grows continually unto the end. Hence, some are not only fruitful, but fat and flourishing in their old age, and as the outward man decayeth, so in them the in- ward man is daily renewed in strength and power. But, as unto all other principles ofobedience whatever, as it is in their ownnature to decay and wither, all their actings growing insensibly weaker, and less efficacious, so, for the most part, either the increase of carnal wis- dom, or the love of the world, or some powerful temp- tations, at one time or other, put an utter end unto them, and they are of no use at all. Hence, there is not a more secure generation of sinners in the world, than those who have been actuated by the power of conviction, unto a course of obedience in the perfor- mance of many duties. 'And those of them who fall not openly to profaneness or lasciviousness, or neglect of all duties of religion, do continue in their course, from what they have been habituated unto, finding it compliant with their present circumstances and conditions in the K OP THE SPIRIT world, as also having been preserved from such ways and practices as are inconsistent with their present course by the power of their former convictions. But the power of these principles, of conviction, education, impressions from afflictions, dangers, fears, all in one, die before men, and, if their eyes were open, they might see the end of them. In this manner, therefore, doth the new divine na- ture that is in believers, dispose and incline them, im. partially, evenly, and permanently, unto all acts and duties of holy obedience. Sect. 24. One thing yet remains to be cleared, that there may be no mistake in this matter; and this is, that in those who are thus constantly inclined and dis- posed unto all the acts of an heavenly spiritual life, there are yet remaining contrary dispositions and inclina- tions also. There are yet in them inclinationsanddispositions to sin, proceeding from the remainders of a contrary habi- tual principle. This the scripture calls the flesh, lust, the sin that dwelleth in us, the body of death; being what yet remaineth in believers of that vicious corrupted depravation of our nature, which came upon us by the loss of the image of God, disposing the whole soul unto all that is evil. This yet continueth in them, inclining them unto evil, and all that is so, according to the power and efficacy that is remaining unto it in various degrees. Sundry things are here observable: As, (I.) This is thatwhich is singular in this life of God. There are in the same mind, will, and affections, namely, of a person regenerate, contrary habits and inclina- tions, continually opposing one another, and acting ádversly about the same objects and ends. And this is not from any jarrings or disorder between the distinct faculties of the soul itself as in natural men there are adverse actings between their wills and affec- tion on the one hand bent unto sin, and the light of their mind and consciences on the other, prohibiting the committing of sin, and condemning its commission, which disorder is discernable in the light of nature, and is sufficiently canvassed by the old philosophers. But these contrary habits, inclinations, and actings, are in the same faculties. (2.) As this cannot be apprehended but by virtue of a previous conviction and acknowledg- ment, both of the total corruption of our nature by the fall, and the initial renovation of it by Jesus Christ,
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