304 The Nature and Influence of the Vol. I. to aGodlike temper and difpofution, imitating in all our A&ions the Goodnefs, and Mercy, and Patience, and Truth, and Faithfulnefs of God, and all thofe other Perfe&ions of theDivine Nature; whicltare comprehended tinder the term of Holinefs. This is that which the Apoftle here calls partakingof a Divine Nature; or, as our Bleffed Saviour expreffethit, to be perfeE1, as our Father which is inHea- ven is perfeït. This the Gòfpel defigns tò raife us to ; and one of the great Inftruments where- by this is effeíted, are thofe exceeding great and precious Promifes which I have inflfted upon : And they are capable of effecting it thefe twoways. Firfi, By way of internal Efficacy and Afiiftance ; and, Secondly, by way of external Motive and Argument : Both there ways, fome or other of thefe Prothifes have a mighty Influence upon us (if we be not wan- ting to our felves) to raife us to a Godlike tentper and difpofition, that is, to the greateft ,perfe&ion of Virtue and Goodnefs which we are capable óf in this Life. Firfi, By ofhnternal Efficacyand Afiìftance. And this influence the Pro- mile of God's Holy Spirit and of the gracious help andafíìftance thereof, hath up- on the Minds of Men, inclining them to that which is good, and enabling them to do it. For the Holy Spirit is promifed to us, in confideration and commifera- tion ofthat impotency andweaknefs which we havecontra&ed in that degenerate and depraved Condition into which Mankind is funk ; to help us, who are with- out (irength to recover our felves outof that evil 'andmiferable state intowhich by wilful tranfgreffion we are fallen ; to quicken us who are dead in Trefpafes and Sins; (as the Scripture expreffeth the Condition of unregenerate Perfons) to raife ui to a newLife, and to cherifh this Principle of Spiritual Life, which is com- monly weak at firft, and to carry it through all difcouragements and oppofitions 5 to excite us continually to our Duty, and to enable us to the moft difficult parts ofObedience, Inchas are moft contrary to our natural inclinations, and againft the grain of flefh and Blood, to bear down the ftrength ofSin and Temptation 5 and in all our Confli&s with the World, and the Flefh, the Devil, and all the Powers of Darknefs, tomake us vi&orious over them ; and in a word, to be a Principle within us, more mighty and powerful than the Lulls and Inclinations of our evil Hearts, than the molt obftinate and inveterate habits of Sin and Vice, and than all the Temptations and Terrors of Senfe. So that if we will make ufe ofthis afiittance, and layhold of this strength which God affords us in the Gof- pel, and (as the Apoftle expreffeth it) be workers together with God, we treed not defpair of Vi&ory and Succefs ; for our ftrength will continuallyencreafe, and the force and violence of our Lulls will be abated, God will give us more Grace, and we (hall walkfromfirengthto flrength, and our path will be (as Solomon Pays of the way of the Righteous) as the light which fhines more andmore unto theperfeil day. For the HolySpirit of God condu&s and manageth this great work of our San &ification and Salvation from firft to latt, by opening our Hearts to let in the Light of Divine Truth upon our Minds, by reprefenting to us with advantage fuch Arguments and Confiderations as are apt to perfwade us to embrace it, and yield to it; by fecret and gentle reprehenfions foftning our hard hearts, and bending our [tiff and stubbornWills to a compliance with the Will of God, and our Duty,. And this is that great Work which the Scripture calls our Regeneration, awl &u lification, the turning us from darknefs to light, and from the power of Sa- tan unto God, a new Creation, and a Refurrellionfrom the Deathof Sin, to the Life of Holinefs. And then by leading and dire&ing us in the ways of Holinefs and Obedience ; by quickning our Devotion, and (tiring up in us Holy Delires and Difpofttions ofSoul, rendring us fit to draw near to God in Prayer, with a due fenfe of our own wants and unworthinefs, and an humble Confidence in the goodnefs of God, that he will grant us.thofe good things that we ask of him; in fupporting and comforting us in all our Afíli &ions andSufferings, efpecially for Truth and Righteoufnefs fake ; and by Sealing and Confirming to us the Bleffed Hopes of Eternal Life. thus the Spirit of God carrieson the Wotk of ourSan- &ification,
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