PART I, in holy Off lions. 27 Way, is not to rejea all Affections, nor to approve all ; but to di- ftinguifh between Affections, approving fome, and rejecting others feparating between the Wheat and the Chaff, the Gold and the Drofs, the Precious and the Vile. 2. If it be fo, that true Religion lies much in the Aferlions, hence we may infer, that fuch Means are to be desired, as have much of a Tendency to move the Affections. Such Books, and fuch a Way of Preaching the Word, and Adminiflration of Ordinances, and fuch a Way of worfhipping God in Prayer, and finging Praifes, is much to be defired, as has a Tendency deeply to aEét the Hearts of thofe who attend thefe Means. Such a Kind of Means, would formerly have been highly approved of and applauded by the Generality of the People of the Land, as the moft excellent and profitable, and having the greateft Tendency to promote the Ends of the Means of Grace. But the prevailing Tafte feems of late ftrangely to be alter'd : That patheticalManner of Pray- ing and Preaching, which would formerly have been admir'd and ex- toll'd, and that for this Reafon, becaufe it had fuch a Tendency to move the Aflè&ions, now, in great Multitudes, immediately excites Difguft, and moves no other Affections, than thofe of Difpleafure and Contempt. Perhaps, formerly the Generality (at leaft of the common People) were in the Extreme, of looking too much to an affectionateAddrefs, in puhlick Performances : But now, a very great Part of the People, feem to have gone far into a contrary Extreme. Indeed there may be fuch Means, as may have a great Tendency to fir up the Pafi'ions of weak and ignorant Perfons, and yet have no great Tendency to Benefit their Souls. For tho' they may have a Tendency to excite Affections, they may have little or none to excite gracious Affections, or any Affections tending to Grace. But undoubtedly, if theThings of Religion, in the Means ufed, are treated according to theirNature, and exhibited truly, fo as tends to convey juft Apprehenfions, and a right Judgment of them; the more they have aTendency to move the Affections, the better. 3. If true Religion lies much in the Affections, hence we may learn, what great Caufe we have to be afhamed and confounded be- fore God, that we are no more affected with the great Things of Religion. It appears from what has been faid, that this arifes from our having fo little true Religion. God has given to Mankind Affections, for the fame Purpofe which he has given all the Faculties and Principles of the human Soul for, viz. that they might be fubfervient to Man's chief End, and the great Bujinefs for which God has created him, that is the Bufinefs of Reli.. gion.
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