290 THE POSITIVE WORE OP THE SPIRIT disposeth the soul wherein it is, universally, unto all acts of holy obedience. And these inclinations are pre- dominant unto any other, and keep the soul pointed to holiness continually. This belongs unto its nature: and where there is a cessation or interruption in these incli- nations, it is from the prevailing re- action of the prin.. ciple of sin, it may be, advantaged by outward tempta- tions and incentives, which an holy soul will constantly contend against. Where this is not, there is no holi- ness. The performance of duties, whether of religious worship, or of morality, how frequently, sedulously, and usefully soccer, will denominate no man holy, un- less bis whole soul be disposed and possessed with preva- lent inclinations unto all that is spiritually good, from the principle of the image of God renewed in him. Outward duties, of what sort soever, may be multiplied upon light and conviction, when they spring from no root of grace in the heart, and that which so riseth up will quickly wither, Matth. xiii. And this free genuine unforced inclination of the mind and soul, evenly and universally, unto all that is spiritually good, unto all acts and duties of holiness, with an inward labouring to break through, and to be quit of all opposition, is the first fruit and most pregnant evidence of the renovation ofour natures by the Holy Ghost. Sect. 28. lt may be inquired, whence it is, (if the habit or inherent principle of holiness do so constantly incline thesoul unto all duties of holiness and obedience) that David prays, that Godwould incline his heart unto his testimonies, Psal. cxix. 36. For it should seem, from hence, to be a new act of grace that is required thereunto, and that it doth not spring from the habit mentioned, which was then eminent in the Psalmist. Answ. (f.) I shall shew afterwards, that notwithstand- ing all the power and efficacy of habitual grace, yet there is required a new act of the Holy Spirit, by his grace unto its actual exercise in particular instances. (2.) God inclines our hearts to duties of obedience, principally, by strengthening, increasing, and exciting the grace we have received, and which is inherent in us. But we neither have, nor ever shall have in this world, such a stock of spiritual strength, as to do any thing ,as we ought, without renewed co- operations of grace. Sect. 29.-0.) There is power accompanying this habit of grace, as well as propensity or inclination. It doth not merely dispose the soul to holy obedience, but enables it unto the acts and duties of it. Our living un- to God, our walking in his ways and statutes, keeping his judgments, which things express our whole actual obedience, are the effects of the new heart that is given unto us, whereby we are enabled unto them, Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27. But this must besomewhat further and distinctly declared. And, (I.) I shall shew, that there is such a power of holy obedience in all that have the principle of holiness wrought in them by the sanctifica- tion of the Holy Spirit, which is inseparable from it. And, (2.) Shew, what that power is, or wherein it doth consist. That, by nature, we have no power unto, or forany thing that is spiritually good, or to any acts or duties of evangelical holiness, hath been sufficiently proved before. When we wereJet without strength, in due time Christ diedfor the ungodly, Rom. v. 6. Until we are made partakers of the benefits of the death ofChrist in and by his sanctifying grace, as we are ungodly, so we are without strength, or have no power to live to God. But, as was said, this hath been formerly fully and largely confirmed in our declaration of the impotency of our nature by reason of its death in sin, and so need not here to be further insisted on. Sect. 30. The present assertion which we are to prove is, 44 that there is in and by the grace of regene- ration and sanctification, a power and ability given "unto us of living unto God, or performingall the du- " ties of acceptable obedience." This is the first act of that spiritual habit, arising out of it, and inseparable from it. It is called strength or power, Isa. xl. 31. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, that is, for and unto obedience, or walking with God without weariness; strength they have, and, in their walking with God, it is renewed or increased. By the same grace are we strengthened with all might according to the glorious power ofGod, Col.. i. 1 I. or strengthened with might byhis Spirit in the inner man, Eph. iii. 16. whereby wecan doall things through Christ thatstrength- eneth us, Phil. iv. 13. In our calling or conversion to God, all things are given unto us by his divine power whichpertain unto life andgodliness, 2 Peter i. 3. every thing that is needful to enable us unto a holy life. The habit and principle of grace that is wrought in believers, gives them new power and spiritual strength unto all duties of obedience. The water of the Spirit therein is
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