CHAP. IV. It is no sign that affections are gracious, or that they are otherwise, that persons did not excite them of their own contrivance, Page 140 CHAP. V. It is no sign that religious affections are truly holy and spiritual, or that they are not, that they come with texts of Scripture, remarkably brought to the mind, 147 CHAP. VI. It is no evidence that religious affections are saving, or that they are otherwise, that there is an appearance of love in them, CHAP. VII. Persons having religious affections of many kinds, is not sufficient to determine whether they have any gracious affections or not, CHAP. VIII. Nothing can certainly be determined concerning the nature of the affections by this, that comforts and joys seem to follow convictions of conscience, CHAP. IX. It is no certain sign that the religious affections are such as have in them the nature of true religion, or that they have not, that they dispose persons to spend much time in religion, CHAP. X. Nothing can be certainly known of the nature of religious affections, that they much dispose persons with their mouths to praise and glorify God, CHAP. XI. It is no sign that affections are right, or that they are wrong, that they make persons exceedingly confident, that what they experience is divine, CHAP. XII. Nothing can be certainly concluded concerning the nature of religious affections from this, that the relation persons give of them are very affecting and pleas ing to the truly godly,. 152 155. 161 179 182 185 206 CHAP. I. Affections that are truly spiritual and gracious, CHAP. II. The first objective ground of gracious affections, CHAP. III. Those affections that are truly holy, are pri- CHAP. IV. Gracious affections arise from the mind's be- CHAP. V. Truly gracious affections are attended with a CHAP. VI. Gracious affections are attended with evange. CHAP. VII. Another thing wherein gracious affections are CHAP. VIII. Truly gracious affections differ from those that are false and delusive, in that they are attended with the lamb-like, dove-like spirit and temper of Jesus Christ, 454 CHAP. X. Truly gracious and holy affections differ from those that are false, in beautiful symmetry and proportion, 485 CHAP. XI. Another very distinguishing difference between gracious affections and others, is, that the higher gracious affections are raised, the more is a spiritual appetite after 1 PREFACE. THERE is no question whatever of greater importance to mankind, and in which it more concerns every individual to be well resolved, than this, What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favour with God, and entitled to his eternal rewards? Or, which comes to the same thing, What is the nature of true religion? And wherein do lie the distinguishing marks of that virtue and holiness that is acceptable in the sight of God? But though it be of such importance, and though we have clear and abundant light in the word of God to direct us in this matter, yet there is no one point, in which professing Christians differ more from one another. It would be endless to reckon up the variety of opinions on this point, that divide the Christian world; making manifest the truth of our Saviour's declaration, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leads to life, and few there be that find it." The consideration of these things has long engaged me to attend to this matter, with the utmost diligence and care, and exactness of search and inquiry of which I have been capable: it is a subject on which my mind has been peculiarly intent, ever since I first entered on the study of divinity. But as to the suc cess of my inquiries, it must be left to the judgment of the reader of the following Treatise. I am sensible it is much more difficult to judge impartially of that which forms the subject of this discourse, in the midst of such a dust and smoke of controversy, as is now in this land, about things of this nature and as it is more difficult to write impartially, so it is more difficult to read impartially.Many will probably be hurt in their spirits, to find so much that appertains to religious affection, here condemned: and perhaps indignation and contempt will be excited in others, by finding so much justified and approved. And perhaps some will be ready to charge me with inconsistence with myself, in so much approving some things, and so much condemning others; as I have found this has always been objected to by some, ever since the beginning of our late controversies about religion. It is a hard thing to be a hearty zealous friend of what has been good and glorious, in the late extraordinary appearances, and to rejoice much in it: and, at the same time, to see the evil and pernicious tendency of what has been bad, and earnestly to oppose it. But, yet, I am humbly, but fully persuaded, we shall never be in the way of truth, nor go on in a way acceptable to God, and tending to the advancement of Christ's kingdom, till we do so. There is indeed something very mysterious in it, that so much good, and so much bad, should be mixed together in the church of God: as it is a mysterious thing, and what has puzzled and amazed many a good Christian, that there should be that which is so divine and precious, as the saving grace of God, and the new and divine |