SECTION XIV. kg _tinesthemind topursue it with vigour ; and if it be evil, thepas- sion of hatred excitesus to use our utmost skill and force to avoid it ; and this it does .not only in the things of flesh and sense which relate to this bodilylife, but in things ofa spiritual nature, andof future-and eternal concern. H. Thepainful passions have their use in human life, as well as the pleasant ones. It is gralged indeed, that there are softie passions, which taken together With their si;ecial objects and de- grees, have obtained peculiarnames, and maybe properlycalled viciotts-and immóral* ; and these are of no use, but ought to be abolished-androoted out ;. such are pride, malice, envy, revenge : Thesecould never belong toa man in a state of innocence. There are other passions,- such as'fear, shame, sorrow, andanger,vhicl are uneasyandpainful : - And- how far these might be foundamong innocent men, I will not now stand to enquire. Yet while we dwell.in this fallen and mortal state, beset with so many evils, daáìgers,' enemies, and temptations on every side, .these painful atlec;tions will be found necessary to'our welfare in'this life, and to Our preparation fora better. While we live amongst numerous dangers, fear is a very necessaty principleto keep us always upon ourguard: Whilewe abide in a world where there are samany of our fellow-creatures ready to oppress and injure us, the great Author of our beings saw it proper to mix up anger and resentment withour constitu- tion, that we be awakened-to.defend ourselves against in- jury, and make.oppressors fear to assault us. While theare rea- dy to exposeourselves tomany grievancesand distresses by our own folly,:God hasordained. sorrow to attend all those distresses and shame to- attend some ofthem ;. partly that we might be awa- kened to renounce those - follies. by .a shamefidand painful sense of the effects of them, and partly that under every affliction we might be excited with. more earnestness to seek to God and man for relief. Sorrow abases, our pride and vanity, it tames the wildness of our spirits, brings us to think and reflect a little, it softens tale heart, and makes it impressible, and ready to receive instruction. I add yet farther, while we are in a-state of probationfor eternity, and heavenand hell areset before us, fear is necessary as well as hope, to keep us frocn'sinfulpractices. While we have the seeds of sin dwelling inus, and are-sooften guilty of theOm- -",f - There-is nò passion próperhe sobailed, andconsidered in itself as belong- ing to- man, which is absolutely sinful in the abstracted nature of it g all the works of God are good ; hot if. passion be-let loose on an improper object, or in an im- próper time ór derive, or for too long a continuance, then it becom:es criminal, and obtains sonietirnes a' distinct name. Esteem Placed upon self as the object; -and in an norea,onable degree, beeome,pride.. Anger: prolonged into a settledtemper, often torus into malice, &c. or if it be mingled with vices of the will, it bt,., eons., sinful also.
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