318 POWERS AND CONTESTS OF FLESH AND SP/RIT. 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, wherein both flesh and spirit concur, 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 unfailing rule to judge of this matter, if we could but always apply it right ; and that is, whatsoever knowledge, consent, or choice, is in any action, belongs to the mind ; and what implies mere matter, shape, or proper motion, must be at- tributed to the body. These appetites and affections of human nature, which are the mingled operations of flesh and spirit, are either lawful, sa- cred, or sinful; and they are properly and formally so called, partlyaccording to the different objects of them, and partly ac- cording 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 passion maybedetermined to be lawful, sacred, or sinful, if it be exercised toward different objects, or in different degrees. Thus it is lawful to be hungry and thirsty, and to desire proper food, bread and wine ; and to desire, with faith and holy affec- tions, to eat the bread and drink the wine at the Lord's-supper is asacred action. But to covet that meat or drink, that bread, or that wine, whichbelongs toanother man, is sinful ; for it is a vio- lation of the tenth command, and becomes a transgression. So to fear the great God, or to love him, is a sacred affection. To fear a robber or a roaring lion, or to love my house, or my ser- vant, are very lawful affections : But if my love or my fear of any creature exceedsmy fear or my love of God my Creator, it becomes hereby sinful. It is lawful, or rather it is religious and holy, to be angry, to hate, and to be ashamed, when sin is the object of these passions but to be ashamed of virtue and re- ligion, where I am called to profess them, or to hate my neigh- bour, or even mine enemy, or to be angry without a cause, or above a proper degree, are all criminal passions, and render á man guilty before God. The meremotions and ferments of flesh and blood, or what- soever share mere animal nature has in these actions or affections of the man, can have no moral good or evil in them, considered apart from the soul ; nor are they properly called lawful or sin- ful in themselves ; for they are the pure operations of brutal mat- ter, till the soul or the will indulges them, or approves them, commands them, or complies with them. Yet if the objects of these fleshly motions be fárbidden by the laws of God, or if the degree be excessive, or the time or place unlawful, then these mo- toins and ferments of the fleshmay becalled sinful; not formally
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