PART II. to d f inguifh Ajegions. 3,1 FIRST, I would take Notice of fome Things, which are no Signs that Affections are gracious, or that they are not. I. 'Tis no Sign. one Way or the other, that religious Affections are very great, or railed very high. Some are ready to condemn all high Affections : If Perfons appear. to have their religious Affections rais'd toan extraordinary Pitch,they`are prejudiced againft them, and determine that they are Delufions, without further Enquiry. But if it be as has been proved, that true Religion lies very much in religious Affections, then it follows, that if there be a great deal of true Religion, there will be great religious Affections ; if true Religion in the Hearts of Men, be raifed to a great Height, divine and holy Affections will be railed to a gi eat Height. Love is an Affyction ; but will any Chriftian fay, Menought not to love God and Jefus Chrift in a high Degree ? And will any fay, we ought not to have a very great Hatred of Sin, and a very deep Sorrow for it ? Or that we ought not to exercife a high Degree of Gratitude to God, for the Mercies we receive of him, and the great Things he has done for the Salvation of fallen Men ? Or that we fhould not have very great and ftrong Defires after God and Ho- . linefs ? Is there any who will profefs, that his Affections in Religion are great enough ; and will fay, " I have no Caufe to be humbled, " that I am no more affected with the Things of Religion than I ct am, I have no Reafon to be athamed, that I.kave no greater Ex- 4' ercifes of Love to God, and Sorrow for Sin, and Gratitude for " the Mercies which I have received ? " Who is there that will go and blefs God, that he is affected enough with what he has read and heard, of the wonderful Love of God to Worms and Rebels, in giving his only begotten Son to die for them, and of the dying Love ofChrift ; and will pray that he m iyn't be affectedwith them in any higher Degree, becaufe high Affections are improper, and very un- lovely in Chriflians, being enthufiaflical, and ruinous to true Religion ? OLÎr Text plainly (peaks of great and high Affections, when it fpeaks of rejoicing with yoy unfpeakable andfull of Glory.: Here the molt fuparlative Expreflions are ufed, which Language will afford. And the Scriptures often require us to exercife very high Affections : Thus in the firft and great Commandment of the Law, there is an Accumulation of Expreffions, as tho' Words were wanting to r xprefs the Degree, in which we ought to love God ; Iheu ,/halt love the Lord thy God, with all thy Heart, with all thy Soul, with all thy l:&ind; and with all thy Strength. So the Saints are called upon to exercife high Degrees of Joy : Rejoice, Pays Chrift to his Difciples, and be ex- ceeding glad, Matth. 5. 12. So it is Paid, Peal. 68. 3. Let the Righteous beglad ; let them rejoice before God ; yea, let them exceedingly rejoice,
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