882 NECESSITY OF souls. Alas! what are the perishing profits, pleasures and satisfactions by them, which this world can afford? How unable is the mind of man to find out rest and peace in them or from them? They quickly satiate and suffocate in their enjoyment, and become to have no relish in their varieties, which only heightens pre- sent vanity, and treasures up provision for future vexa- tion. We have therefore no greater interest in the world, than to inquire how this disorder may be cured, and a stop put to this fountain of all abomina- tions. What we intend, will be cleared in the ensuing observations. Sect. 4. (1.) It is true, that some are naturally of a more sedate and quiet temper and disposition than others are. They fall not into such outrages and ex- cesses of outward sins as others do; nay, their mindsare not capable of such turbulent passions and affections as the most are possessed withal. These, comparatively, are peaceable, and useful to their relations and others. But yet their minds and hearts are full of darkness and disorder: for so it is with all by nature, (as we have proved,) who have not an almighty effectual cure wrought upon them. And the less troublesome waves they have on the surface, the more mire and dirt oft- times they have at the bottom. Sect. 5.(2.) Education, convictions, afflictions, illuminations, hope of a righteousness of their own, love of reputation, engagements into the society of good men, resolutions for secular ends, with other means of the like kind, do often put great restraints upon the actings and ebullitionsof the evil imaginations and tur- bulent affections of the minds of men; yea, the frame of the mind, and the course of the life, may be much changed by them; how, wherein, and how far, is not our present business to declare. Sect. 6. (8.) Notwithstanding all that may be ef- fected by these means, or any other of like nature, the disease is uncured, the soul continues still in its disor- der, and in all inward confusions: for our original or- der, harmony, and rectitude, consisted in the powers and inclinations of our minds, wills, and affections, unto regular actings towards God as our end and re- ward. Hence proceeded all that order and peace which was in all their faculties, and their actings. Whilst we continued in due order towards God, it was impos- sible that we should be otherwise in ourselves: but HOLINESS FROM being, by sin, fallen off from God, having lost our coif: fortuity and likeness unto him, we fell into all the con- fusion and disorder before described. Wherefore, Sect. 7.(4.) The only cure and remedyof this evil condition, is by holiness: for it must be, and can be no otherwise but by the renovationof the image of God in us; for, from the loss hereofdoth all the evil men-. tioned spring and arise. By this are our souls in some measure restored unto their primitive order and recti- tude. And, without this, attempts for inward peace, real tranquillityof mind, with due order in our affec- tions will be in vain attempted. It is theholy soul, the sanctified mind alone, that is composed into an orderly tendency towards the enjoymentof God. That which we aim at, is what we are directed unto by our apostle, Eph. iv. 22, 28, 24. Our deliverance from the power of corrupt and deceitful lusts, which are the spring and cause of all the confusion mentioned, is by the renova- tion of the image of God in us, and no otherwise. And hence, unto all persons not in love with their lusts and ruin, ariseth a cogent argument and motive unto holi- ness. But sundry things may be objected hereun- to; as, Sect. 8. First, That we do admit and maintain, that in all sanctified persons there are yet certain re- mainders of our original depravation and disorder; that sin still abideth in believers; yea, that it works power- fully and effectually in them, leading them captive unto the law of sin. Henceensue great andmighty wars and conflicts in the souls of regenerate persons, that are truly sanctified. Herein they suffer so far, as togroan, complain, and cry out for deliverance. Tire,flesh lust- eth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary. Wherefore, it doth not appear, that this holiness doth so heal and cure the sinful dis- tempers of our minds. On the other side, men sup- posed as yet under the power of sin, who have not that grace and holiness, in the renovation of the image of God, which is pleaded for, seem to have more peace and quietness in their minds. They have not that in- ward conflict which others complain of, nor those groans for deliverance; yea, they find satisfaction in their lusts and pleasures, relieving themselves by them against any thing that occasioneth their trouble. Sect.9.--llntto. (1.) For that peace and order which is pretended to be in the minds of men under thepower
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