$46 NECESSITY OP HO and in all that he doth, acts from that principle, he alone is truly useful, represents God in what he doth, and spoils it not by false ends of his own. If therefore we would keep up the privilege and preeminence ofour nature and persons, ifwe would make due and daily ac- cessions towards glory and blessedness, if we would be ofany real use in this world, our great endeavour ought to be, to grow up more and more into this likeness of God, which consists in our holiness. Sect. 23. It will, therefore, or it may be justly here inquired, how or what we may do, that we may thrive and grow up more and more into this likeness unto God. To remit other considerations unto their proper place, at present, I answer, that there are some graces of holi- ness that are effectually assimilating, and others that are declarative, and expressive of this likeness of God in us. (First,) Those of the first sort, which have a pecu- liar efficacy to promote the likeness of God in our souls, are faith and love, in whose constant exercise we ought to abide and abound, if we intend to grow in likeness and conformity to God. Sect. 24. (L) Faith is a part of our holiness, as it is a grace of the sanctifying Spirit, and it is a principle of holiness as it purifies the heart, and is effectual by love. The more faith is in its due and proper exercise, the more holy we shall be,, and consequently the more like unto God. This were a large theme; I shall con. fine it unto one instance. The glorious properties of God, as we have showed before, are manifestedand re- vealed in Jesus Christ, in his face do they shine forth. The only way whereby we behold them, whereby we have an intuition into them, is by faith. In Christ are the glorious excellencies of God represented unto us, and by faith do we behold them. And what is the ef- fect hereof? we arechanged into the same image and likeness, from glory to glory, 2 Cor. iii. 18. This is the great mystery of growing in holiness, and thriving in the image of God, which the world being ignorant of, have laboured, in vain by other means, to satisfy their notions and convictions. But this is the great way and means of it, appointed and blessed of God un- to that purpose, namely, constantly, by faith, in a way of believing.the revelation made in the gospel, to view, behold, and contemplate on the excellencies of God, bis goodness, holiness, righteousness, love, and grace, LINESS PROM THE as manifested in Jesus Christ; and that so as to make use of, and apply unto ourselves and our condition the effects and fruits of them, according to the promise of the gospel. This is the great Arcanum of growing up into the likeness of God; without which, however men may multiply duties in a compliance with their convic- tions, they will have never the more conformity toGod. And all professors who come short in this matter, do, or may know, that it ariseth from their want of a con- stant exercise of faith on God in Christ. If therefore we have a real design, of beingyet more like unto God, which is our privilege, safety, glory, blessedness, this is the way we must take for its accomplishment. Abound in actings of faith, and we shall thrive in holiness. And they are but acts of presumption, under the name of faith, which do not infalliblyproduce this effect. Sect. 25. (2.) Love hath the same tendency and ef- ficacy, I mean, the love of God. He that would be like unto God, must be sure to love him, or all other endea- vours to that purpose will be in vain. And he that loves God sincerely, will be like him. Under the Old Testa- ment, none, in his general course, so like unto God as David, called therefore the man after God's own heart; and none ever made greater expressions of love unto him, which occur continually in the Psalms. And let men take what pains they can in acts and duties of obe- dience, if they proceed not from a principle of divine love, their likeness unto God will not be increased by them. All love in general huth an assimilating efficacy; it casts the mind into the mould' of the thing beloved. So love of this worldmakes men earthly minded; their minds and affections grow earthly, carnal, and sensual. But, of all kinds, divine love is most effectual to this purpose, as having the best, the most noble, proper, and attractive object. It is our adherence unto God with delight, for what he is in himself, as manifested in Jesus Christ. By it we cleave unto God, and so keep near him, and thereby derive transforming virtue from him. Every approach unto God by ardent love and delight is transfiguring. And it acts itself continu- ally (t.) by Contemplation. (2.) Admiration. And, (3.) Delight in obedience. 1. Love actuates itself by contemplation. It is in the nature of it to be meditating and contemplating on the excellenciesof God in Christ. Yea, this is the lifeof it, and where this is not, there is no love. An heart filled
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