252 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. ed, and spiritually renewed. I intend that which i expressed in that great evangelical promise, Isa. xvii 6 -9. ' The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leo pard shall lie down with thekid, and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatlings together, and a little child shall lead them ; and the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and the sucking child shall play on thehole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.' A change and alteration is promised in the natures, prin- ciples, and first inclinations of the worst and most savage sinners who pass under the power of gospel grace. This is that which is required of us in a way of duty. Eph. iv. 13. ' And be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds.' There is a renovation of the mind itself, by the communication of spiritual saving light and understanding thereto, whereof I have treated elsewhere at large. See Rom. xii. 2. Eph. i. 17, 18. But the spirit of the mind, that whereby it is enliven- ed, led, and disposed to its actings, that is to be re- newed also. The spirit of the mind is in this place opposed to the old man, which is corrupt, according to deceitful lust, or depraved affections. (v. 22.) These, therefore, are that spirit of the mind which incline, bend, and lead it to act suitably to its inclinations, which is to be renewed. And when our affections are inclined by the saving grace of the Holy Spirit, then are they renewed, and not else ; no other change will give them a spiritual renovation. Hereby, those things which are only natural affections in themselves, in them that believe, become fruits of the spirit. Gal. v.
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