2. In that it is a purposing Principle, such as inclines and disposes the Soul to pitch by a serious determination upon ⟨p. 385⟩God as its only happiness, and to cleave unto him with purpose of heart, Act. 11. 23. This renders a man a true spiritual Levite, who (as his name imports) is joined to the Lord & become one spirit with him, 1 Cor. 6. 17. And as the first-born were dedicated to God, and afterwards the Levites; so the desiring Principle first dedicates the Desires the first-born of the Will to God, and then this purposing Principle makes a man a spiritual Levite consecrated to God by a holy Conjunction with him. This is that Key of David or Love (as David imports) which opens the everlasting doors of the Will that the king of glory may come in, Psal. 24. 7. This is that sweet voice of David or Love which upon mature deliberation is ready to break out, Whom have I in heaven but thee? whom on earth besides thee? Psal. 73. 25. In Heaven there are glorious Angels, and on Earth multitudes of good Creatures, but none of them all are my end or happiness; none, none but God alone. Were Heaven and Earth emptied of all their Furniture, still I should have my end as long as I have my God, who fills them both with his presence; whilst he is with me there can be no such thing as Emptiness, for he is all in all, waving all ⟨p. 386⟩the World, I pitch upon him alone as my only end. I can truly say to the Covetous, God is my gold, Job 22. 25. to the Ambitious, God is my glory, Psal. 3. 3. to the Voluptuous, God is my delight, Isai. 58. 14. to the Soldier, God is my buckler and high tower, Psal. 18. 2. to the Mariner, God is my broad rivers and streams, Isai. 33. 21. to the Potentates and Emperors of the World, God is my crown and diadem, Isai. 28. 5. and to those who with Esau have enough of the World, Jacob-like, I have all, Gen. 33. 11. all in one, even in God alone. Such Resolutions as these are the proper Issues of this purposing Principle, this makes the Will free indeed; before it was free in Naturals, but now in Spirituals, which is freedom indeed. When the Will fixes it self upon the Creature as its End, it is in straits in a house of bondage. Take the World in its own place, 'tis a spacious Looking-glass of God's Power and Goodness, but take it as a man's End and Happiness, 'tis too strait and narrow for the immortal Spirit to breathe in.
2. In that it is a purposing Principle, such as inclines and disposes the Soul to pitch by a serious determination upon ⟨p. 385⟩God as its only happiness, and to cleave unto him with purpose of heart, Act. 11. 23. This renders a man a true spiritual Levite, who (as his name imports) is joined to the Lord & become one spirit with him, 1 Cor. 6. 17. And as the first-born were dedicated to God, and afterwards the Levites; so the desiring Principle first dedicates the Desires the first-born of the Will to God, and then this purposing Principle makes a man a spiritual Levite consecrated to God by a holy Conjunction with him. This is that Key of David or Love (as David imports) which opens the everlasting doors of the Will that the king of glory may come in, Psal. 24. 7. This is that sweet voice of David or Love which upon mature deliberation is ready to break out, Whom have I in heaven but thee? whom on earth besides thee? Psal. 73. 25. In Heaven there are glorious Angels, and on Earth multitudes of good Creatures, but none of them all are my end or happiness; none, none but God alone. Were Heaven and Earth emptied of all their Furniture, still I should have my end as long as I have my God, who fills them both with his presence; whilest he is with me there can be no such thing as Emptiness, for he is all in all, waving all ⟨p. 386⟩the World, I pitch upon him alone as my only end. I can truly say to the Covetous, God is my gold, Job 22. 25. to the Ambitious, God is my glory, Psal. 3. 3. to the Voluptuous, God is my delight, Isai. 58. 14. to the Souldier, God is my buckler and high tower, Psal. 18. 2. to the Mariner, God is my broad rivers and streams, Isai. 33. 21. to the Potentates and Emperours of the World, God is my crown and diadem,