238 WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT [BOOK III.
1. It may be observed, that we have placed all the effects of this work in the mind, conscience, affections, and conversation. Hence it follows, notwithstanding all that is or may be spoken of it, that the luill is neither really changed nor internally renewed by it. Now, the will is the ruling, governing faculty of the soul, as the mind is the guiding and leading. Whilst this abides unchanged, unrenewed, the power and reign of sin continue in the soul, though not undis- turbed yet unruined. It is true, there are many checks and controls, from the light of the mind and reflections of conscience, cast in this state upon the actings of the will, so that it cannot put itself forth in and towards sin with that freedom, security, and licentiousness as it was wont to do. Its fierceness and rage, rushing into sin as the horse into the battle, running on God and the thick bosses of his buckler, may be broken and abated by those hedges of thorns which it finds set in its way, and those buffetings it meets withal from light and convictions; its delight and greediness in sinning may be calmed and quieted by those frequent representations of the terror of the Lord on the one hand, and the pleasure of eternal rest on the other, which are made unto it: but yet still, setting aside all considera- tions foreign unto its own principle, the bent and inclination of the will itself is to sin and evil always and continually. The will of sin- ning may be restrained upon a thousand considerations, which light and convictions will administer, but it is not taken awa}^ And this discovers itself when the very first motions of the soul towards sin- ful objects have a sensible complacency, until they are controlled by light and feai\ This argues an unrenewed will, if it be constant and universal.
2. The effects of this work on the mind, which is the first subject affected with it, proceeds not so far as to give it delight, com,placency, and satisfaction in the lively spiritual nature and excellencies of the things revealed unto it. The true nature of saving illumination con- sists in this, that it gives the mind such a direct intuitive insight and prospect into spiritual things as that, in their own spiritual nature, they suit, please, and satisfy it, so that it is transformed into them, cast into the mould of them, and rests in them, Rom. vi. 1 7, xii. 2 ; 1 Cor. ii. 13-15; 2 Cor. iii. 18, iv. 6. This the work we have in- sisted on reacheth not unto ; for, notwithstanding any discovery that is made therein of spiritual things unto the mind, it finds not an im- mediate, direct, spiritual excellency in them, but only with respect unto some benefit or advantage which is to be attained by means thereof It will not give such a spiritual insight into the mystery of God's gi'ace by Jesus Christ, called " his glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6, as that the soul, in its first direct view of it, should, for what it is in itself, admire it, delight in it, approve
CHAP. II.] PREPARATORY UNTO REGENERATION. 239
it, and find spiritual solace with refreshment in it. But such a light, such a knowledge it communicates, as that a man may like it well in its effects, -as a way of mercy and salvation.
3. This work extends itself to the conscience also ; but yet it doth not purge the conscience from dead works, that we should serve the living God. This is the effect of a real application of the blood of Christ by faith unto our souls, Heb. ix. 14. Two things it effects upon the conscience: — (1.) It renders it more ready, quick, and sharp in the reproving and condemning of all sin than it was be- fore. To condemn sin, according unto its light and guidance, is natural unto and inseparable from the conscience of man; but its readiness and ability to exercise this condemning power may, by custom and course of sinning in the world, be variously weakened and impeded. But when conscience is brought under the power of tins work, having its directing light augmented, whereby it sees more of the evil of sin than formerly, and having its self-reflections sharpened and multiplied, it is more ready and quick in putting forth its judging and condemning power than it was. (2.) Con- science is assisted and directed hereby to condemn many things in sin which before it approved of; for its judging power is still com- mensurate unto its light, and many things are thereby now dis- covered to be sinful which were not so by the mere natural guidance under which before it was. But yet, notwithstanding all this, it doth not purge the conscience from dead works; that is, conscience is not hereby wrought unto such an abhorrency of sin for itself as continu- ally to direct the soul unto an application to the blood of Christ for the cleansing of itself and the purging of it out. It contents itself to keep all things in a tumult, disorder, and confusion, by its con- stant condemning both sin and sinners.