Sermons preached

2. The Inclination to God as our Felicity and End, which is the Fruit of this Grace, is the inclination of a reasonable Creature: so the Inclination is necessary, but the Acts are voluntary, therefore you must keep them up still. There is an Inclination put by God into inanimate things, as in light and airy Bodies to move upwards, and in heavy Bodies to move downwards; as a Stone falls to the Earth, but Fire and Smoke ⟨p. 114⟩ascend, they cannot do otherwise, because they have no choice. But now in Man there is an Inclination to God and Heaven, which is the Fruit of Grace. The Inclination is necessary, why? because all those whom the Spirit sanctifies, he sanctifies them not in vain, he certainly begets this Tendency in them towards God; therefore so often they are said in Scripture to be converted or turned to God. Their Hearts were averse before, but then they tend and bend towards him: but the Acts are voluntary. There is a Duty lying upon us to stir up the Gift of Grace that is in us; the Word is [Greek or Hebrew], 2 Tim. 1. 6. When this holy Fire is kindled in our Bosoms, we must blow it up, and keep it burning. We must not be negligent and secure, for we cannot reasonably imagine the idle and diligent should fare alike; that the Holy Ghost will direct our Hearts into the Love of God, whether we will or not; therefore not only as we are rational Agents, but as we are new Creatures, we are obliged to use the Means, and then expect his Help and Blessing. What is a Prayer in the Text, the Lord direct your Hearts into the Love of God, to the patient waiting for Christ; is an Exhortation, Jud. 21. Keep your selves in the Love of God, looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto everlasting life. There is both again: you must look to your Love, that your Hearts be kept straight and bent towards God, and not distracted with worldly Vanities. The Blessing is from God, but you must use the Means; this Direction is not to encourage Slothfulness, but Industry. We must charge it upon our selves, as our main Work and Duty; the Spirit stirs and quickens, we must rouse up our selves.

2. The Inclination to God as our Felicity and End, which is the Fruit of this Grace, is the inclination of a reasonable Creature: so the Inclination is necessary, but the Acts are voluntary, therefore you must keep them up still. There is an Inclination put by God into inanimate things, as in light and airy Bodies to move upwards, and in heavy Bodies to move downwards; as a Stone falls to the Earth, but Fire and Smoak