DISCOUI2$E III. 556 John xiv. 31. He rejoiced in spirit, when he gave thanks to God ; Luke x. 21. and when God hid his face from him, and forsook him, his soul was exceeding sorrowful even unto death; Mat. xxvi. 38. He was grieved and angry with the hypocrites Mid the blasphemers of his'day, and looked round upon themwith wrath and holy indignation ; Mark: iii. 5. how pathetic and vehement washis zeal for hisFather's honour, when he scourged out the buyers and sellers from the temple? The.zeal of the house of God consumed and wasted his spirits, as it itis said; John i. 17. Ile loved his church with most astonishing fervour, for his lave was stronger than death ; Eph. v. 26. And greater love hath no naan than this, that one should lay doren his .lifefor another ; John xv. 13. How passionately did he mourn at his Own foresight ofthe dismal distress ofhis enemies at Jerusalem ? " He looked upon thebloody city with tender compassion, and Wept over it, with the tears of grief and lóve; Luke xix. 41. And what divine passions were exercised in his devout retire- tints, what holy ferveurs in the wilderness and upon midnight- mountains, is only known toGod, and to ministering angels. Thus it appears, that the more our affections are tinctured with piety and goodness, and the warmer is their engagementin the things ofGod, the More nearly shall we imitate our glorious Redeemer. O divine pattern; beyond all our imitation! But blessed are those who are the nearest copiers of it. But you will enquire, " How will this exercise of devout passion fit us the more for the heavenly world ?" Angels are not clothed with flesh and blood as we are, and the spirits of the departed saints have left this part of their nature behind them in the grave : What efftrts of passion thereforecan there be among the inhabitants of heaven ? To this I answer, that though spi- rits departed, and angels . can have no such ferments of animal nature, as go to make up those principles and powers, which Nye call the passions in this mortal state, yet there is something a-kin to them, which maybe called affections in the very nature of 'every intelligent creature: Spirits whichhave no relation to flesh can fear and hope, can loge and desire, can rejoice and grieve, and that in strong and intense degrees; otherwise there would be no hell for the separate souls of the wicked, and for the pu- nishment of devils ; nor would there be a heaven for the reward of the spiritsof just men made pea. fect : There cannot'bea heaven Without pleasure, nor a hell without grief and anguish : Since therefore there is, and must he something of pure affection in separate spirits that bears a correspondence with out passions in this mortal state, we may be well assured that the more these passions are. refined, and sanctified, and the more they areen- gaged'about divine iibjects, in a proper'manner, according to the Will of God, weshall thereby acquïré a greater'nteetness for-the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=