482 EVIDENCES OF THE
tlie consequents of sin, with an apprehension of some advantages which are to be obtained by a sober life and the profession of reli- gion, do steer and regulate the minds of unbelievers, in all they do towards God or for eternity; but the minds of believers are influenced by a view of the glory of the image and likeness of God in that holi- ness, and all the parts of it, which they are called unto. This gives them love unto it, delight and complacency in it, enabling them to look upon it as its own rewai-d. And without these affections none will ever abide in the w^ays of obedience unto the end.
(2.) Where faith is in this exercise, it will evidence itself, unto the relief of the soul, in all its darkness and temptations. The mind can never conclude that it wholly is Avithout God and his grace, whilst it constantly approves of the holiness required of us. This is not of ourselves ; by nature we are ignorant of it. This " life is hid with Christ in God," Col. iii. 3, where we can see nothing of it; hereon we are alienated from it, and do dislike it: "Alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in us," Eph. iv. 18. And most men live all their days in a contempt of the principal evidences and duties of this life of God, and of the principle of it, which they look on as a fable. Wherefore, the mind may have great satisfaction in a sight of the beauty and approbation of this holiness, as that which nothing can produce but sincere and saving faith.
Secondly, Faith approves of this way of holiness and obedience, as that which gives that rectitude and perfection unto our nature whereof it is capable in this world. It is the only rule and measure of them; and whatever is contrary thereunto is perverse, crooked, vile, and base. Some men think that their nature is capable of no other perfection but what consists in the satisfaction of their lusts; they know no other blessedness, nothing that is suitable to their desires, but the swing of nature, in the pursuit of its corrupt lusts and pleasures. So are they described by the apostle, Eph. iv. 19. The business of their lives is to make provision for the flesh, to fulfil it in the lusts thereof; they walk in the lusts of the flesh, " fulfilling" (so far as they are able) " the desires of the flesh and of the mind," Eph. ii. 3. They neither know nor understand what a hell of con- fusion, disorder, and base degeneracy from the original constitution, their minds are filled withal. This perfection is nothing but the next disposition unto hell ; and it doth manifest its own vileness unto every one who hath the least ray of spiritual light.
Some among the heathen placed the rectitude of nature in moral virtues and operations, according unto them ; and this was the utmost that natural light could ever rise up unto : but the uncertainty and weakness hereof are discovered by the light of the gospel.
It is faith alone that discovei-s what is good for us, in us, and unto
FAITH OF god's ELECT. 433
US, Avhilst we are in this world. It is in the renovation of the imao-e of God in us, — in the change and transformation of our nature into his Hlieness, — in acting from a gracious principle of a divine life, — in duties and operations suited thereunto, — in the participation of the divine nature by the promises, — that the good, the perfection, the order, the present blessedness of our nature do consist.
Hereby are the faculties of our souls exalted, elevated, and enabled to act primigenial powers, with respect unto God and our enjoyment of hail ; which is our utmost end and blessedness. Hereby are our affections placed on their proper objects (such as they were created meet for, and in closing wherewith their satisfaction, order, and rest do consist), — namely, God and his goodness, or God as revealed in Jesus Christ by the gospel. Hereby all the powers of our souls are brought into a blessed frame and harmony in all their operations, — whatever is dark, perverse, unquiet, vile, and base, being cast out of them. But these things must be a little more distinctly explained.
1. There is in this gospel holiness, as the spring and principle of it, a spiritual, saving light, enabling the mind and understanding to know God in Christ, and to discern spiritual things in a spiritual, saving maimer ; for herein " God shines into our hearts, to give us the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. iv. 6. Without this, in some degree, whatever pretence there may be or appearance of holiness in any, there is nothing in them of what is really so, and thereon accepted with God. Blind devotion, — that is, an inclination of mind unto religious duties, destitute of this light, — will put men on a multiplication of duties, especially such as are of their own invention, in " a show of wisdom in will-worship, and hu- mility, and neglecting of the body," as the apostle speaks. Col. ii. 23 ; wherein there is nothing of gospel holiness.