THE OVVÈÁs AhTD CÖh*2EST5 OF FLESH AÄtD' 6PÍRÍ14ï its thoughts and conceptions, its judgments and reason- i.n;s, its acts of choice, aversion, and desire, in great variety ; which are peculiarly its own, and belong not toó- the flesh: But while we dwell in this present world, there is such a near and special union between soul and body, that there are very few 'operations or affections of the mind; wwhich do not receive a sensible turn or influence from the qualities and ferments, the impressions, powers, and. passions, of flesh and blood. Sometimes these animal motions attend or follow the acts or exercises of themind, and yet even then they in crease them in many cases : So when the soul is ashamed, 'the blood flushes in the face, and the shame is doubled ; when the spirit is angry, the cheeks kindle, or grow pale, and the inward wrath burns fiercer. So in a fit of fear, the blood retires, the flesh trembles, the natural spirits flutter, or sink into faintness, and the soul is more terri fled and overwhelmed.. At other times these inward ferments of the juices of the body are entirely beforehand with the soul; those motions or impressions of the flesh, and sense, and ani- mal nature, may first awaken, and then maintain the anger, or fear, or love, or other affections of the mind. Thus most of the actions of man in this present state are of a. mixed nature, whereinboth flesh and spirit con- cur; and each perform their several parts ; though in such a manner, that, in many cases, it is hard to say how far the flesh and how far the spirit have their distinct shares of influence. Yet there is one excellent and WI- failing rule to judge of this matter, ifwe could but always apply it right ; and that is, whatsoever knowledge, con- sent, or choice, is in any action, belongs to the mind; and what implies mere matter, shape, dr proper motion, must be attributed to the body. These appetites and affections of human nature, which are the mingled operations of flesh and spirit; are either lawful, sacred, or sinful: and they are properlyand for- mally so called, partly according to the different objects of them, and partly according to their various degrees, or some other circumstances of time or place, that may attend them ; as will be made evident by such instances as these.: Thus it will appear that the same action or pas- 3
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