474 DOCTitINE OF THE PASSIONS. weak, to excite a sudden and vigorous activity in many cases ; but passion is sudden and strong for this purpose. The general uses of the passions may be comprehended in these five notes or remarks : I. Since the passions are certain principles or powers in hu- man nature, which include in them some commotions of fleshand blood, as well as some operations ofthe mind, we may reasonably suppose, that the design of our Creator in working them into our original constitution, was for the service both of our minds and our bodies : Though, it must be confessed, in our fallen and de- generate state, they often prove our snares and our torments. 1. They were designed for the service of the body, because they awaken not only all the animal powers, but the thoughts and contrivances of the mind, to prevent or escape whatsoever is hurt- ful to the body, and to procure what is pleasant and useful for its support or safety, that is, in more compendious language, to obtain: good or avoid evil. While our body is in such a feeble state, surrounded with dangers, and liable to so many troublesome accidents, disorders, and death, God has not only furnished us with the sensations of pleastne and pain, to give us speedy notice of what hurts or re- lieves the body, and with appetites for the supply of our natural Wants, but he has also given us thepassions ofjoy and sorrow, of desire and aversion, &c. toassist in this work, that the body may he better provided, with what is necessary to its health: and life, and May bebetter guarded against the danger of wounds, and bruises, distempers and death. Mere reasonwould not awaken us to avoid danger so speedily as the passionoffear, nor would it rouseus to self-defence with suck sudden and vigorous eílörts as anger does. I shall say no more oftheir use relating tothebody. 2. Thepassions maybe made also of considerable service to the while it dwellsin this embodied state : Forthough they do not inform us what is, for the soul, and what is evil yet When reason has judged what isevil and what is good, the passi- ons are ready to lend their vigorous assistance toavoid or pursue. They have been represented' as the wings of the soul to pursue our true happiness, and to escape misery ; and it is ofvast im- portance 'to have these wings directed aright. The passions, keep all the natural spirits and the thoughtsof the mind 'strongly intent uponthose objects which excite them, and with a sudden Ball they awaken and exciteall the powers of nature to act agree- ably to them. If the objectbe- uncommon, and has any thing in it rare and wonderful, the passionof admiration fixes the mind to consider it with strong attention, and hereby sometimes we maybe let fur- ther into the knowledge of it. Ifthe object appear to be good, the passion of love deter?
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