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4679 lines
129 KiB
Markdown
4679 lines
129 KiB
Markdown
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(l^,^^^^i^<jiM'^^^>^
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# ^
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## OooulO^I^4le.^A\-^
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```
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T
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TlIK
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```
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LIFE OF GOD
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SOUL OF MAN
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o
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```
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BOSTON:
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NICHOLS AND NoC|TE>3.
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iS6S. ''*"^" '^'
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```
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```
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J >.'^5
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```
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## THENEWYORK
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PUBLIC LIBRARY^
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(^793478) A
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ASTOR,LENOXAND
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TlLDtNFOUNDATIONS!
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H^1935 L
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CAMBRIDGEt
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fRESSOFJOHNWILSONANDSON.
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IrCc<<
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PREFACE.
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nr^HERE arebookswhich nevergrowold:
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## andthispreciousHttlevolume,byHenry
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```
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ScouGAL, is to be numbered among them.
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In it is an eternal freshness and beauty, its
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bloom actually brightening wdth advancing
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time. These words, for two centuries, have
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beenbreadoflife to thousands. They have,
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through that longperiod,guided, comforted,
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andinspired; from thatfact,theypossess ad-
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ditionalinterest,fortheyhavestoodtheseverest
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test,andbeenfoundadequatetomeetthedeep-
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estAvants of humannature in its mosttrying-
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needs. This "Life of God in the Soul of
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```
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## Man"hassomethino-ofthatdivine lifewithin
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.itselfwliich can impart of itsown fulnessto
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everysoul readytoreceive. Theverybreath
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iv Preface.
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## ofJehovahmaybefeltthroughit. Itkindles
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in the soul a sympathetic power, andlifts it
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intoconnectionwithhigher realms. With its
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holy fervor there is blended a naturalcalm-
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ness. Healthandhealingareinitsinfluence.
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Practicalthroughout,thereis also a heavenlv
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spirituality. Rising above all narrow limita-
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## tions,thedevoutofeverynamemayholditin
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reverence,andcherish itscounselswithgrati-
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## tudeandlove. To the young, itwill prove,
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armorofstrength; totheaged,perpetualreno-
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vation; while Christians of all communions
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will find withinit a foretaste ofimmortality.
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The life towhich itwould lead is a heaven
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uponearth,andthatisbutthecommencement
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## ofaheaven withoutend. Toallwhohold in
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honorChristandhisgospel,tothosewhowould
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love God andman,toeachonewhowould so
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live in time as to make it the joyous gate-
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w^ay to a glorious eternity, thislittlevolume
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shouldbeheartilywelcome;andwedoubtnot
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suchwelcomeitwillwidelyreceive.
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Henry Scougalwas the son ofthe Bishop
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```
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Preface. V
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```
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of Aberdeen,inScotland. Born,June, 1650,
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attheageoffifteenheenteredtheUniversit}',
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and at the early ao-e of twenty he became
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professor of philosophy. Haying most ac-
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ceptabl}^fulfilled this importantoffice for four
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3^ears, he prepared himself for the ministry,
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andwas established in a smallyillage about
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twentymilesfromAberdeen. Fromthisplace,
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howeyer, he was soon urged to enterupon
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the Professorship of Diyinity in King's Col-
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leo-e,whichduties he discharij^edwith honor:
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but,attheearh'aixeoftwenty-seyen,hishealth
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gayeway,andon the 13th ofJune, 1678, he
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closed his briefbutuseful career. One year
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before his departure, this inyaluable treatise
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was giyen to the world. It was modestly
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written, only for priyate use; but Bishop
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Burnet, seeing it, appreciated it so highly
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that he hastened to giye it to the world
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with the most generous and earnest com-
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mendation. "Itwaswritten,"he says,"by a
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piousandlearnedcountrymanofmine,forthe
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vi Preface.
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privateuse of a noble friend ofthe author's,
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without the least design of making it more
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public. Others,seeing it, were much taken,
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bothwith theexcellent purposes itcontained,
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andthegreatclearnessandpleasantnessofthe
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style, the naturalmethodand shortness ofit,
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and desired itmight be made a more public
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good."
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Some timeafter,another editionofthis in-
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comparable treatise was published, with a
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preface by the Principal of the College of
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Edinburgh, in which he says, "Since I had
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the happiness of becoming acquainted with
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thisbook,Ihaveheartilyblessed God forthe
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benefit I have received by the perusal ofit,
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and have earnestlywished it had a place in
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everyfamily; wascarefullyperused byevery-
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onewhocanread; andthatthe sentiments of
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pure and undefiled religion it contains, were
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impressed upon every heart.''
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## Amongotherspecial excellencies,the same
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writerdwellsupon'"theprudenceandcharity.
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```
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Preface. vii
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```
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the author discovers, in avoidino- matters ot
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doubttiildisputation,aboutwhichthebestand
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wisestmendiffer,whileheis treating ofmat-
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ters of the greatest importance, aboutwhich
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all good and wisemen must agree.''—"Had
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we more," he adds, ''of that true Christian
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spiritso beautifullydelineated and sowarmly
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recommendedinthisbook,I cannotbutthink
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thatthetiercenessofourcontentions and ani-
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mosities about things of lessermoment must
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considerablyabate."
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The present editionofthis volume is pub-
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lished by therequestof one who, for nearly
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eighty years, hasfound in it a continued re-
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source andpleasure. Now atthe advanced
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age of ninety, with a keen appreciation of
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present enjoyments and privileges, he looks
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tbrward with growing earnestness and happv
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anticipation to the sublimerealitiesofthe fu-
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## ture. Much that he has enjoyed, through
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his pleasant pilgrimage, aswellas the heav-
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enlvVision which kindles before the eve of
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```
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\-iii Preface.
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```
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Faith, is associated with this little volume,
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familiartohimfrom his 3^outh. Having de-
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rived so muchhappiness and advantage from
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it himself, he desires to place it within the
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reachofothers,confidentthat,withthe bless-
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ing ofProvidence, it can only beproductive
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of increasino- crood.
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R.C.W.
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Boston.December,1S67.
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## CONTENTS.
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- TheOccasionofthisDiscourse
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- MistakesaboutReligion
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- WhatReligionis
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- ThePermanencyandStabilityofReligion
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- ReligionaDivinePrinciple TheP'reedomandUnconstrainednessofReligion S
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- WhattheNaturalLifeis
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- ThedifferentTendenciesoftheNaturalLife....
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- WhereintheDivineLifedothconsist
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- Words Religion better understood by Actions than by
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- DivineLoveexemplifiedinourSaviour
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- OurSaviour'sConstantDevotion
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- OurSaviour'sCharitytoMen
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- OurSaviour'sPurity
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- OurSaviour'sHumility
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- APrayer
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- TheExcellencyandAdvantageofReligion
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- TheExcellencyofDivineLove
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- TheAdvantagesofDivineLove
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```
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Contents.
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```
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TheWorthoftheObject 45
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TheCertaintytobeBelovedAgain 46
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ThePresenceoftheBelovedPerson 48
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TheDivine Love makes us partake ofan Infinite
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Happiness 49
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HethatlovethGod finds Sweetness in everyDis-
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pensation 51
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TheDutiesofReligionareDelightfultoHim ... 52
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TheExcellencyofCharity 54
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ThePleasurethatattendsCharity 56
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TheExcellencyofPurity 58
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TheDelightaffordedbyPurity 59
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TheExcellencyofHumility 60
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ThePleasureandSweetnessofanHumbleTemper. 62
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APrayer 65
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TheDespondentThoughtsofsomeNewlyAwakened
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toaRightSenseofThings 66
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TheUnreasonablenessoftheseFears 69
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Wemustdowhatwecan,anddependonthe Divine
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Assistance 74
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WemustshunallMannerofSin 78
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WemustknowwhatThingsareSinful So
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WemustresisttheTemptationsofSin.byconsider-
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ingtheEvilstheywilldrawonus 82
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WemustkeepaConstantWatchoverOurselves.. 87
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WemustoftenexamineourActions 89
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ItisfittorestrainOurselvesinManyLawfulThings. 91
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\\'emuststrivetoputOurselvesoutofLovewiththe
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World 93
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```
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Contents. xi
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```
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WemustdothoseOutwardActionsthatare Com-
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manded 98
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Wemustendeavor toformInternalActsofDevo-
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tion,Charity,&c. 100
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ConsiderationaGreatInstrumentofReligion... loi
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TobegetDivineLove,we mustconsidertheExcel-
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lencyoftheDivineNature 104
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WeshouldmeditateonGod'sGoodnessandLove. 108
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TobegetCharity,we mustrememberthatallMen
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arenearlyrelateduntoGod 113
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ThattheycarryGod'sImageuponthem 114
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TobegetPurity,weshouldconsidertheDignityof
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ourNature 116
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WeshouldmeditateoftenontheJoysofHeaven. 117
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HumilityarisesfromtheConsiderationofourFail-
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ings 118
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ThoughtsofGodgiveus theLowestThoughtsof
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Ourselves 120
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Prayer, another Instrument of Religion, and the
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AdvantagesofMentalPrayer^121
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ReligionistobeAdvancedbythesameMeansby
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whichitisBegun; andtheUseoftheHoly
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Sacrainenttowardsit 124
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## APrayer^126
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THE LIFE OF GOD
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SOUL OF^lAX.
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THE LIFE OF GOD
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SOUL OF MAN.
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IV/TYDearFriend,—Thisdesignationdoth
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give vou a title to all the endeavors
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wherebyIcanserve 3'ourinterests; and your
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pious inclinations doso happilyconspirev/ith
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my duty,thatIshallnot need to step outof
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my road to gratify you; but I may atonce
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performanofficeoffriendship, and discharge
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## anexerciseofmyfunction,sincetheadvancing
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ofvirtueandholiness(whichIhopeyoumake
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yourgreateststudy)isthepeculiarbusinessof
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## myemployment. This,therefore,isthe most
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## proper instancewherein I canvent myaffec-
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## tion, and express mygratitude towards you;
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andIshallnot anylonger delaythe perform-
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anceofthepromiseImadeyoutothispurpose.
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ForthoughIknowyouareprovidedwithbet-
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ter helps of thisnature than any I can offer
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The Life ofGod
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you; norare 3^ouliketomeetwith anything
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## here which you knew not before; yet I am
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## hopeful,thatwhatcomethfromonewhomyou
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arepleasedtohonorw^ith yourfriendship, and
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which is more particularlydesignedfor your
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use,willbekindlyacceptedbyyou: andGod's
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## providenceperhapsma}^sodirectmythoughts,
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## that something orother may proveuseful to
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you. Nor shall I doubtyour pardon, if, for
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## mouldingmydiscourseinto the betterframe,
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I lay a low foundation, beginning with the
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natureandpropertiesofreligion,andallalong
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## givesuchw^avtomvthoughtsinthe prosecu-
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## tion ofthe subject, as may bring me to say
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manythingswhichwerenotnecessary, did I
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## onlyconsidertowhomIamwriting.
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## MistakesaboutReligion
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T CANNOT speak of religion, but I must
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lament,that,amongsomanypretenders to
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it, so fewunderstand w^iat it means: some
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placing itin the understanding, in orthodox
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notionsandopinions; andalltheaccountthey
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/;/ the SoulofMan.
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can give oftheirreligion is,that theyareof
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thisorthe other persuasion, and havejoined
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themselvestooneofthose manysectswhere-
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into Christendom is most unhappilydivided.
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Others placeitintheoutwardman,in a con-
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stantcourseof externalduties,andamodelof
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performances: iftheylivepeaceablywiththeir
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neighbors,keep atemperate diet,observe the
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returnsofworship,frequentingthechurchand
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theircloset,andsometimesextendtheirhands
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to thereliefofthepoor,theythink theyhave
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sufficientlyacquittedthemselves. Othersagain
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put all religionin the affections,in rapturous
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heatsandecstaticdevotion; and all theyaim
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at,is,topraywithpassion,andthinkofheaven
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with pleasure, andto be affected with those
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kind andmelting expressionswherewith they
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court their Saviour, till thevpersuade them-
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selvesthattheyaremightilyinlovew^ithhim;
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andfromthence assumeagreatconfidence of
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their salvation, w4iich they esteem the chief
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ofChristian graces. Thus arethose things
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which have anyresemblance ofpiety,and at
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thebestarebutmeans ofobtaining it,orpar-
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ticular exercisesofit,frequentlymistaken for
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TheLife ofGod
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```
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thewhole ofreligion; nay, sometimes wick-
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ednessandvicepretendtothatname. Ispeak
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notnowofthosegrossimpietieswherewiththe
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heathens were wont to worship their gods
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```
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```
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:
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```
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therearebut too manyChristianswhowould
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consecratetheirvices,andhallowtheircorrupt
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affections; whose rugged humor, and sullen
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pride,mustpassforChristianseverity; whose
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fiercewrath,andbitterrac^eacrainsttheir ene-
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mies, mustbe called holy zeal; whose petu-
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lancy towards their superiors, or rebellion
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against theirgovernors,must have the name
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ofChristian couracre and resolution.
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## WhatReligionis
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```
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TDUTcertainlyreligionisquiteanotherthing;
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andtheywhoareacquaintedwith it,will
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entertain far different thoughts, and disdain
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all those shadows and false imitationsof it.
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They knowby experience, thattrue religion
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isanunionofthesoulwithGod,a real parti-
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cipation ofthedivine nature, the veryimage
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ofGoddrawnuponthesoul; or,intheApos-
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```
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in the SoulofMan,
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tie's phrase, it is Christformed zuithin tis.
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Briefly,Iknownothowthenatureofreligion
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canbemorefullyexpressed,thanbycallingit
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## adivinelife. Andunder thesetermsI shall
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```
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discourseofit; showing first howit iscalled
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alife,andthenhowitistermeddivine.
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```
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## ThePermanencyandStabilityofReligion
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TCHOOSEtoexpressitbythenameoilife
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```
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;
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```
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```
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first,becauseofitspermanencyandstabil-
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ity. Religionisnotasuddenstart,orpassion
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ofthemind; notthough itshouldrise tothe
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height ofa rapture and seemto transporta
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```
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## man to extraordinary performances. There
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```
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arefewbut have convictions ofthe necessity
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ofdoing something forthe salvation oftheir
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```
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## souls, which may push them forward some
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```
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stepswithagreatdealofseeminghaste. But
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anontheyflagandgive over: thevwere in a
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hotmood, but nowtheyare cooled: theydid
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shoot forth fresh and high, but are quickly
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withered, because they had no root in them-
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```
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TheLife ofGcd
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## selves. These sudden fits may be compared
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totheviolentandconvulsivemotionsofbodies
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newly beheaded, caused bythe agitations of
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the animal spirits, afterthesoulis departed:
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which,howeverviolentandimpetuous, canbe
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ofno longcontinuance: whereas the motions
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of holy souls are constant and regular, pro-
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ceedingfromapermanentandlivelyprinciple.
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Itistrue,thisdivinelifecontinuethnotalways
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inthesamestrengthandvigor,butmanytimes
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sufferssaddecays; and holymenfindgreater
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difficultyinresistingtemptations,andlessalac-
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rityin the performanceoftheirduties: yetit
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is notquite extinguished, nor are they aban-
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donedtothe powerofthosecorruptaffections
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whichswayandoverruletherestoftheworld.
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## THE FREEDOM ANDUNXONSTRAINEDXESS OF
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```
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RELIGION.
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```
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A GAIN, religion may be defined by the
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name of life^ because itis aninward,
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free,andself-movingprinciple;andthosew^ho
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havemadeprogressinit,arenotactuatedonly
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in the SoidofMan,
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byexternal motives, driven merelybythreat-
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enings,norbribedbypromises,norconstrained
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by laws; but are powerfullyinclined to that
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which is good,anddelightintheperformance
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## ofit. The lovewhich a pious manbears to
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Godandgoodness,isnotsomuchbyvirtueof
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a command enjoining him so to do, asby a
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newnatureinstructingandpromptinghimtoit
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```
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;
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```
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nor dothhe payhis devotionsas an unavoid-
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abletribute,onlytoappeasethedivinejustice,
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orquiet his clamorous conscience; but those
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religious exercises are the properemanations
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of the divine lite, the natural employments
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## of the new^-born soul. He prays, and gives
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thanks, and repents, not only because these
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things are commanded,but ratherbecausehe
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is sensible of his w^ants, and of the divine
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goodness,andofthefollyandmiseryofasin-
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ful life. His charity is not Ibrced, nor his
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almsextorted from him: his love makeshim
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willingtogive; andthoughtherewerenoout•
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wardobligation,hisheartzvotilddeviseliberal
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thing's. Injustice and intemperance, and all
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othervices, are ascontrarytohis temperand
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constitution, asthe basest actions areto the
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lO TheLife ofGod
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|
|
|
mostgenerousspirit,andimpudenceandscur-
|
|
rility to those who are naturally modest: so
|
|
|
|
## thatImaywell sa}^withSt.John, Whosoever
|
|
|
|
is born ofGod^doth notconiniit sin;forhis
|
|
seedremaineth in hini,andhecannotsin,be-
|
|
causehe isborn ofGod. Though holy and
|
|
religiouspersonsdomucheyethelawofGod,
|
|
and have a great regarduntoit;yetitisnot
|
|
somuchthesanctionofthelaw,asitsreason-
|
|
ableness, andpurity, and goodness,which do
|
|
prevail with them: they account it excellent
|
|
and desirable in itself,andthatinkeepingof
|
|
itthere isgreat reward; andthatdivinelove
|
|
wherewith theyareactuated,makesthem be-
|
|
comealawuntothemselves.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
Qiiislegemdetamantibus?
|
|
Majorestamorlexipsesibi.
|
|
Whoshallprescribealawtothosethatlove?
|
|
Love'samorepowerfullawwhichdoththemmove.
|
|
In aword,whatourblessed Savioursaidof
|
|
himself,isin some measure applicable to his
|
|
followers,thatitistheirmeatanddrinkto do
|
|
theirFather'szvill: and asthe naturalappe-
|
|
tite is carried out toward food, though we
|
|
shouldnotreflectonthenecessityofit for the
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
/;/ the SoulofMan. ii
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
preservation ofour lives; so are theycarried
|
|
withanaturalandunforcedpropensiontoward
|
|
thatwhich is good and commendable. It is
|
|
true,externalmotivesaremanytimes ofgreat
|
|
usetoexciteandstirupthisinward principle,
|
|
especially in its infancy andweakness, when
|
|
```
|
|
## itisoftensolanguidthattheman himselfcan
|
|
|
|
scarce discern it, hardl}^ being able to move
|
|
one step forward, butwhen he is pushed by
|
|
hishopes,orhis fears; bythepressure ofan
|
|
affliction,orthesenseofamercy; bythe au-
|
|
thorityofthelaw,orthepersuasionofothers.
|
|
Now, if such a person be conscientious and
|
|
uniforminhisobedience,andearnestlygroan-
|
|
ingunderthesenseofhis dulness,and is de-
|
|
sirous to perform his duties with more spirit
|
|
and vigor: these are the firstmotions of the
|
|
divine life, which, though it be faint and
|
|
weak, will surely be cherished bythe influ-
|
|
ences ofheaven, and growunto greater ma-
|
|
turity. Buthewho is utterlydestitute ofthis
|
|
inwardprinciple,and doth notaspire unto it,
|
|
but contents himselfwith those performances
|
|
whereunto he is prompted b}^ education or
|
|
custom,bythe fear of hell,orcarnal notions
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ofheaven, can no more be accounted a reli-
|
|
gious person, than a puppetcan be called a
|
|
man. This forced and artificial religion is
|
|
commonlyheavyand languid,likethemotion
|
|
of a weight forced upward: it is cold and
|
|
spiritless, like the uneasy compliance of a
|
|
wife married against herwill, who carries it
|
|
```
|
|
## dutifully toward the husbandwhom she doth
|
|
|
|
notlove,outofsomesenseofvirtueorhonor.
|
|
Hence also this religion is scant and nig-
|
|
gardly, especially in those duties which do
|
|
greatestviolenceto men's carnalinclinations;
|
|
andthoseslavishspiritswillbe sure to do no
|
|
more than is absolutelyrequired: itis a law
|
|
thatcompelsthem,andtheywillbeloathtogo
|
|
beyondwhat it stintsthem to; nay,theywill
|
|
|
|
## ever be putting such glosses on it, as may
|
|
|
|
leavethemselvesthegreatestliberty; whereas
|
|
the spiritoftruereligion isfrank andliberal,
|
|
far from such peevishandnarrowreckoning;
|
|
and he who hath given himselfentirely unto
|
|
God, will neverthink he doth too much for
|
|
him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
/;/ the Soulofj\Ian. 13
|
|
```
|
|
## RELIGION A DIVINE PRINCIPLE.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
T3Y this time I hope it doth appear, that
|
|
rehgion is, with a great deal of reason,
|
|
termed a lifc^ or vital principle; and that it
|
|
isver}'necessarytodistinguishbetweenit,and
|
|
that obedience which is constrained and de-
|
|
pends on external causes. I come next to
|
|
```
|
|
## give an accountwhyI defineditbythename
|
|
|
|
## ofdivinelife. Andso it maybe called, not
|
|
|
|
only in regard to its fountain and original,
|
|
havingGodforits author, and beingwrought
|
|
inthesouls ofmenbythe powerofhisHoly
|
|
Spirit; but also in regard of its nature, reli-
|
|
gionbeingaresemblanceofthedivineperfec-
|
|
tions, the image ofthe Almighty shining in
|
|
|
|
## thesoulofman: nay,itisarealparticipation
|
|
|
|
of his nature; it is a beam of the eternal
|
|
light, a drop ofthat infinite ocean ofgood-
|
|
|
|
## ness; and theyw^ho areenduedwith it, may
|
|
|
|
be said tohave (j^oddzvelliug in their souls
|
|
andChristformedzuithinthem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## WhattheNaturalLifeis
|
|
|
|
T3EFORE I descend to a more particular
|
|
consideration ofthat divine life wherein
|
|
truereligiondothconsist,itwillbefittospeak
|
|
a little of that natural or animal lifewhich
|
|
prevails in those who are strangers to the
|
|
|
|
## other. AndbythisIunderstandnothingelse,
|
|
|
|
but our inclination and propension toward
|
|
thosethingswhich are pleasing and accepta-
|
|
ble to nature; or self-love issuing forth and
|
|
spreadingitselfintoasmanybranchesasmen
|
|
haveseveral appetites and inclinations. The
|
|
rootandfoundationoftheanimallifeIreckon
|
|
tobesense,takingitlargely,as itis opposed
|
|
unto faith, and importeth ourperception and
|
|
sensationofthings thatare either grateful or
|
|
troublesometous. Now,these animal affec-
|
|
tions considered in themselves, and as they
|
|
areimplantedin us bynature, are notvicious
|
|
or blamable; nay, they are instances ofthe
|
|
wisdomoftheCreatorfurnishinghiscreatures
|
|
withsuchappetitesastendto the preservation
|
|
andwelfareoftheirlives. Theseare instead
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
/;/ the Soul ofAlan.
|
|
```
|
|
ofa lawunto the brute beasts,wherebythey
|
|
are directedtowards the ends forw4iich they
|
|
weremade. Butman,beingmadefor higher
|
|
purposes, andtobe guided bymore excellent
|
|
laws,becomes (xuiltvandcriminalw4ienhe is
|
|
so far transported by the inclinations ofthis
|
|
low^erlife,astoviolatehisduty,orneglectthe
|
|
higherandmorenobledesignsofhiscreation.
|
|
Ournaturalaffectionsarenotw^ioll}"tobe ex-
|
|
tirpated and destroyed, but only tobe mod-
|
|
eratedand overruled bya superior and more
|
|
excellentprinciple. Inaword,the difference
|
|
|
|
## between a religiousandawickedmanis,that
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
intheonedivinelilebears sway,in the other
|
|
theanimallitedothprevail.
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
THE DIFFERENT TEXDENXIES OF THE NATU-
|
|
RAL LIFE.
|
|
"pUTitisstrange toobserve,untowhatdit-
|
|
ferentcourses this natural principle will
|
|
sometimes carrythosewhoarewhollyguided
|
|
by it, according to the diverse circumstances
|
|
that concur with it to determine them; and
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
l6 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
then not considering this,doth frequentlyoc-
|
|
casion verydangerousmistakes,making men
|
|
think well of themselves by reason of that
|
|
seemingdifferencewhichisbetweenthemand
|
|
others; whereas perhaps their actions do all
|
|
the while flow from one and the sameorigi-
|
|
nal. Ifwe consider the natural temper and
|
|
constitutionofmen's souls,we shallfindsome
|
|
tobeairv,frolicsome, andlight,whichmakes
|
|
their behavior extravagant and ridiculous
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
whereas others are naturally serious and se-
|
|
vere,and theirwhole carriagecomposed into
|
|
such gravity as gains them a great deal of
|
|
reverenceandesteem. Someareofanhumor-
|
|
some, rugged, and morose temper, and can
|
|
neither be pleased themselves, nor endure
|
|
that others should be so. But all are not
|
|
bornwithsuchsourandunhappydispositions;
|
|
forsomepersonshaveacertainsweetnessand
|
|
benignity rooted in their natures, and they
|
|
find the greatest pleasurein theendearments
|
|
of society, and the mutual complacency of
|
|
friends, and covetnothingmorethantohave
|
|
|
|
## everybody obliged to them. And it is well
|
|
|
|
that nature hath provided this complexional
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 17
|
|
|
|
tendernesstosupplythe defectoftrue charity
|
|
inthe world,and to incline mento do some-
|
|
thing for one another's welfare. Again, in
|
|
regard of education, some have never been
|
|
taught to follow any other rules, than those
|
|
of pleasure or advantage: but others areso
|
|
inuredtoobservethestrictestrulesofdecency
|
|
and honor, andsome instancesofvirtue,that
|
|
they are hardly capable of doing any thing
|
|
which they have been accustomed to look
|
|
upon as base and unworthy.
|
|
In line,it is no small difference in the de-
|
|
portmentofmerenatural men,thatdotharise
|
|
fromthestrengthorweaknessoftheir wit or
|
|
judgment, and from their careor negligence
|
|
in using them. Intemperance and lust, in-
|
|
justiceandoppression,and allthoseotherim-
|
|
pietieswhichaboundintheworld,andrender
|
|
itsomiserable,arethe issuesofself-love,the
|
|
effect of the animallifc^ when it is neither
|
|
overpowered by religion, nor governed by
|
|
natural reason. But if it once take hold of
|
|
reason,and getjudgmentandwittobe ofits
|
|
party,it willmany times disdain thegrosser
|
|
sort ofvices, and spring up unto fair imita-
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
1
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
8
|
|
```
|
|
The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
## tionsofvirtue andgoodness. Ifa man have
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
but so much reasonastoconsider the preju-
|
|
dice which intemperance and inordinate lust
|
|
dobringupon his health, his fortune,and his
|
|
```
|
|
## reputation, self-love may suffice to restrain
|
|
|
|
## him; andonemayobservethe rulesofmoral
|
|
|
|
justicein dealingwithothers,asthebestway
|
|
to secure his own interest, and maintain his
|
|
creditintheworld. Butthisisnotall. This
|
|
|
|
## natural principle,bythe helpofreason, may
|
|
|
|
take a higher flight, and come nigher the
|
|
|
|
## instances ofpiety and religion. It may in-
|
|
|
|
## cline a man to the diligent study of divine
|
|
|
|
## truths: for why should notthese, aswell as
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
otherspeculations,bepleasant and gratefulto
|
|
```
|
|
## curiousand inquisitiveminds? It maymake
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
menzealous in maintaining and propagating
|
|
such opinions as theyhave espoused,and be
|
|
very desirous that others should submit unto
|
|
theirjudgment,andapprove thechoiceofre-
|
|
ligionwhichthey themselves have made. It
|
|
```
|
|
## maymake themdelight to hear andcompose
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
excellent discourses aboutthemattersofreli-
|
|
gion;for eloquenceis verypleasantwhatever
|
|
```
|
|
## bethe subject. Nay, someit maydispose to
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
in the Soul ofAlan. 19
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
no small height of sensible devotion. The
|
|
glorious things that are spoken of heaven,
|
|
```
|
|
## may make even a carnal heart in love with
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
it; themetaphorsandsimilitudes madeuseof
|
|
inscripture,ofcrownsandsceptres,andrivers
|
|
of pleasure, &c. will easily affect a man's
|
|
fancy,andmakehimwishtobethere,though
|
|
he neither understandnordesire those spirit-
|
|
ual pleasures which are described and shad-
|
|
owed forthbythem: andwhen suchaperson
|
|
comes to believe that Christ has purchased
|
|
```
|
|
## those glorious things for him, he may feel a
|
|
|
|
,kind of tenderness and affection towards so
|
|
great a benefactor, and imagine that he is
|
|
mightilyenamouredwith him,andvetallthe
|
|
while continue a strangerto the holytemper
|
|
|
|
## and spirit of the blessed Jesus. And what
|
|
|
|
## handthe naturalconstitution mayhave inthe
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
rapturous devotions of some melancholy per-
|
|
sons,hathbeen excellentlydiscovered oflate
|
|
byseverallearnedandjudiciouspens.
|
|
```
|
|
## To conclude: there is nothing proper to
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
make a man's life pleasant, or himself emi-
|
|
nent and conspicuous in the world, but this
|
|
natural principle,assistedby wit andreason,
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
20 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
## mayprompt himtoit. AndthoughIdo not
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
condemn these things in themselves, yet it
|
|
concernsusneartytoknowandconsidertheir
|
|
```
|
|
## nature, both that we may keep within due
|
|
|
|
## bounds,and also thatwe maylearn never to
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
valueourselveson theaccountofsuchattain-
|
|
ments,norlaythe stressofreligionuponour
|
|
naturalappetitesorperformances.
|
|
```
|
|
## \VHEREINTHE DIVINE LIFE DOTH CONSIST.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
TT isnowtimetoreturnto the consideration
|
|
ofthatdivinelifewhereofIwasdiscours-
|
|
ingbefore;that lifewhich is hidwith Christ
|
|
in God,and therefore hath no glorious show
|
|
orappearanceintheworld,andtothenatural
|
|
```
|
|
## manwillseemameanandinsipidnotion. As
|
|
|
|
the animal life consistethin that narrow and
|
|
confined lovewhich isterminated on aman's
|
|
self,andinhispropensiontowardsthosethings
|
|
that arepleasingtonature; sothedivine life
|
|
standsin an universal and unbounded affec-
|
|
tion, and in the mastery over our natural
|
|
inclinations, that theymay never be able to
|
|
|
|
|
|
## in the SoulofAfan. 21
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
betray us to those things which we know
|
|
to be blamable. The root ofthe divine Hfe
|
|
isfaith; the chiefbranches are,love toGod,
|
|
charityto man, purity and humihty: for (as
|
|
anexcellentperson hathwellobserved) how-
|
|
everthese namesbecommonandvulgar,and
|
|
make no extraordinary sound; yet do they
|
|
carrysuchamightysense,that thetongue of
|
|
```
|
|
## man or angel can pronounce nothing more
|
|
|
|
weighty or excellent. Faith hath the same
|
|
place in the divine life which sense hath in
|
|
the natural, being indeed nothing else but a
|
|
kindofsense,orfeelingpersuasionofspiritual
|
|
things. Itextendsitselfuntoalldivinetruths:
|
|
but, in our lapsed estate, it hath a peculiar
|
|
relation to the declarations of God's mercy
|
|
and reconcilableness to sinners through a
|
|
Mediator; and therefore, receiving its de-
|
|
nomination from thatprincipalobject,isordi-
|
|
narilytermedfaithin Jesus Christ,
|
|
Thelove ofGodis adelightful and affec-
|
|
tionate sense ofthe divine perfections,which
|
|
makes the soul resign and sacrifice itself
|
|
whollyuntohim,desiring above allthings to
|
|
pleasehim,anddelightinginnothingsomuch
|
|
|
|
|
|
22 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
asinfellowshipandcommunionwithhim,and
|
|
beingreadytodo orsufferany thingfor his
|
|
sake,or athis pleasure. Though this affec-
|
|
```
|
|
## tion may have its first rise from the favors
|
|
|
|
and mercies of God towards ourselves, yet
|
|
doth it in its growth and progress transcend
|
|
such particular considerations, and ground
|
|
itself on his infinite goodness manifested in
|
|
all theworks ofcreation and providence. A
|
|
soul thus possessed with divine love, must
|
|
needs be enlarged towards all mankind in a
|
|
sincere and unbounded affection, because of
|
|
the relationthe}^havetoGod,being his crea-
|
|
tures, and having something of his image
|
|
stampeduponthem. Andthis is thatcharity
|
|
Inamedasthesecondbranchofreligion,^and
|
|
under which all the parts ofjustice, all the
|
|
dutiesweowe to ourneighbor,are eminendy
|
|
comprehended: for hewhodoth trulyloveall
|
|
the world, will be nearly concerned in the
|
|
interestofeveryone; and sofarfromwrong-
|
|
ingorinjuringanyperson,that hewillresent
|
|
anyevil thatbefalls others,as ifit happened
|
|
tohimself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
/;/ ihc SoIII ofMan. 23
|
|
|
|
## ^yj)iirity,Iunderstandadueabstractedness
|
|
|
|
from the bodv,and masteryover the inferior
|
|
appetites; orsuchatemperand disposition of
|
|
|
|
## mind, as makes a man despise, and abstain
|
|
|
|
from all pleasures and delights ofsense or
|
|
fancywhicharesintulinthemselvesortendto
|
|
extinguishorlessenourrelish ofmore divine
|
|
andintellectualpleasures; whichdothalsoin-
|
|
feraresolutenesstoundergoallthosehardships
|
|
|
|
## he may meet with in the performance ofhis
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
duty. So that not only chastityand temper-
|
|
ance,butalsoChristian courage and magna-
|
|
```
|
|
## nimitymaycomeunderthishead.
|
|
|
|
Humilityimports a deep senseofourown
|
|
weakness, with a hearty and affectionate ac-
|
|
knowledgmentofour owingallthatweareto
|
|
thedivinebounty; which is always accompa-
|
|
niedwithaprofoundsubmission tothewill of
|
|
God, and great deadness towards theglory
|
|
oftheworld,andapplauseofmen.
|
|
Thesearethehighestperfectionsthat either
|
|
menorangelsarecapableof;thevervfounda-
|
|
tionofheavenlaidin the soul. x\nd he who
|
|
hathattainedthem,needsnotdesiretoprvinto
|
|
the hidden rolls of God's decrees, or search
|
|
|
|
|
|
24 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
thevolumesofheaven,toknowwhatis deter-
|
|
minedabouthis everlasting condition;but he
|
|
|
|
## mayfindacopyofGod'sthoughts concerning
|
|
|
|
him written in his own breast. His love to
|
|
|
|
## GodmaygivehimassuranceofGod'sfavorto
|
|
|
|
him; andthosebeginningsofhappinesswhich
|
|
hefeelsintheconformityofthepowersofhis
|
|
soultothenatureofGod,andcompliancewith
|
|
hiswill,areasurepledgethathisfelicityshall
|
|
be perfected, and continued to all eternity.
|
|
|
|
## Anditisnotwithoutreason that one said, "I
|
|
|
|
hadratherseethereal impressions ofa God-
|
|
likenatureuponmyownsoul,thanhaveavision
|
|
|
|
## fromheaven,oran angel sentto tellme that
|
|
|
|
## mynamewasenrolledinthebookoflife."
|
|
|
|
RELIGION BETTER UNDERSTOOD BYACTIONS
|
|
|
|
## THANBYWORDS.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
"\"\7'HENwehavesaidall that we can, the
|
|
secretm3'steriesofanewnatureanddi-
|
|
vine life can never be sufficiently expressed
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
languageandwordscannotreachthem:norcan
|
|
theybetrulyunderstoodbutbythosesoulsthat
|
|
|
|
|
|
/;/ the Soul ofMan. 25
|
|
|
|
areenkindledwithin, and awakened unto the
|
|
senseandrehshof spiritualthings. The7'eisa
|
|
spirit in man, andthe inspirationoftheAl-
|
|
mightygivethhimtindei'standing. Thepower
|
|
|
|
## and lifeofreligionmaybebetterexpressedin
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
actionsthaninwords;becauseactionsaremore
|
|
lively things, and do better representthe in-
|
|
wardprinciplewhencetheyproceed;andthere-
|
|
```
|
|
## fore we maytake the best measure ofthose
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
gracious endowments from the deportment of
|
|
thoseinwiiom theyreside; especiallyas they
|
|
areperfectlyexemplifiedintheholylifeofour
|
|
blessed Saviour; a main partof whose busi-
|
|
nessinthisworld,was,toteachbyhispractice
|
|
whathedidrequireofothers, andtomakehis
|
|
ownconversationanexactresemblanceofthose
|
|
unparalleledruleswhichheprescribed:sothat
|
|
ifevertruegoodnesswasvisibletomortaleyes,
|
|
itw^asthenwhenhispresencedidbeautifyand
|
|
illustratethislowerworld.
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
26 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
DIVINELOVE EXEMPLIFIED IN OUR SAVIOUR:
|
|
Hisdiligencein doingGod'sivill, andHispatiencein
|
|
bearingit.
|
|
"^I^HAT sincere and devoutaffectionwhere-
|
|
withhisblessedsoul did constantly burn
|
|
towardshisheavenlyFather, didexpressitself
|
|
inan entireresignationtohiswill. Itwashis
|
|
verymeat^todothe zuill, andfinish the work
|
|
ofhivithatsenthim. Thiswastheexerciseof
|
|
his childhood,and the constant employment
|
|
```
|
|
## ofhisriperage. Hesparednotravailorpains
|
|
|
|
while hewas abouthisFather'sbusiness,but
|
|
tooksuchinfinitecontentandsatisfactioninthe
|
|
performance of it, thatwhen,beingfaint and
|
|
wearywithhisjourney, he rested himselfon
|
|
Jacob'swell,andentreatedwateroftheSama-
|
|
|
|
## ritan woman; the success of his conference
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
withher,andthe accession thatwas made to
|
|
thekingdomofGod,filledhismindwith such
|
|
delight,asseemedtohaveredoundedtohisvery
|
|
body,refreshing his spirits, and making him
|
|
forgetthethirstwhereofhecomplainedbefore,
|
|
andrefusethemeatwhichhehadsenthis dis-
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the Soul ofMan. 27
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ciples to buy. Norwas he less patient and
|
|
submissivein suffering the will ofGod, than
|
|
```
|
|
## diligentindoingofit. Heenduredthesharp-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
estafflictionsandextremestmiseries that ever
|
|
wereinflictedonanymortal,withoutarepining
|
|
thought,ordiscontentedword. Forthoughhe
|
|
was far from a stupid insensibility,or a fan-
|
|
tasticorStoicalobstinacy, andhadas quicka
|
|
senseofpain as other men, and the deepest
|
|
apprehensionofwhat he was to suffer in his
|
|
soul, (ashisbloodyszvcat,andthesoreamaze-
|
|
mentandsorrozvwhichheprofessed,doabun-
|
|
dantlydeclare); yetdidhe entirely submitto
|
|
that severe dispensation of Providence, and
|
|
willinglyacquiescedinit.
|
|
```
|
|
## AndheprayedtoGod,that(fitwerepossi-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ble^(or,asoneoftheEvangelistshathit,ifhe
|
|
were zvilling,) that cup anight be removed;
|
|
```
|
|
## yet he gendy added. Nevertheless, not my
|
|
|
|
zvill, but thine be done. Of what strange
|
|
importance are the expressions, fohnxii. 27,
|
|
where he first acknowledgeth the anguish
|
|
|
|
## ofhisspirit,Novjismysoultroubled; which
|
|
|
|
## wouldseemtoproduceakind of demur.And
|
|
|
|
what shall Isayf and then he goes on to
|
|
|
|
|
|
28 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
deprecatehissufferings,Father^savemefrom
|
|
thishour; whichhehadnosooneruttered,but
|
|
hedoth,asitwere,onsecond thoughts,recall
|
|
|
|
## it in thesewords,Butfor this causecatne I
|
|
|
|
into the world; and concludes,Father, glo-
|
|
rify thy name. Now, we mustnot look on
|
|
this as any levity, or blamable weakness in
|
|
|
|
## theblessedJesus. Heknewallalongwhathe
|
|
|
|
wastosuffer,anddidmostresolutelyundergo
|
|
it. Butitshows usthe inconceivable weight
|
|
andpressurethathewastobear;which,being
|
|
soafflicting,andcontraryto nature, he could
|
|
notthink of withoutterror; yet, considering
|
|
thewillofGod, and the glory w^hich was to
|
|
redoundtohimfromthence, he was not only
|
|
contentbutdesiroustosufferit.
|
|
|
|
## OurSaviour'sConstantDevotion
|
|
|
|
A NOTHER instance of his love to God,
|
|
w^as,his delightin conversingwith him
|
|
byprayer;w^hich made himfrequently retire
|
|
fromtheworld,andwiththe greatestdevotion
|
|
andpleasurespendwholenightsin that heav-
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 29
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
enlyexercise,thoughhehadnosinstoconfess,
|
|
andbutfewsecularintereststoprayfor;which,
|
|
alas! arealmosttheonlythingsthat are w^ont
|
|
```
|
|
## todrive us to our devotions. Nay,we may
|
|
|
|
sayhisw^holelifew^asakindofprayer,acon-
|
|
stant course of communion with God; ifthe
|
|
sacrificewasnotalwaysoffering, yet was the
|
|
firestillkeptalive: nor was ever the blessed
|
|
Jesussurprisedwiththatdulness or tepidityof
|
|
spiritwhichwemustmanytimeswrestle with,
|
|
beforewe can befitfor theexercise ofdevo-
|
|
tion.
|
|
|
|
## OurSaviour'sCharitytoMen
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
TN thesecond place, I should speak ofhis
|
|
loveand charitytowardsallmen. Buthe
|
|
whowouldexpressit, musttranscribethe his-
|
|
toryofthegospel,and commentupon it: for
|
|
scarceanvthino;isrecordedtohavebeendone
|
|
orspokenbyhim,whichwasnotdesignedfor
|
|
thegoodandadvantageofsomeone or other.
|
|
Allhismiraculousworkswereinstancesofhis
|
|
goodness,aswellashispower; andtheyben-
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
30 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
efited those on ^Yhom they were wrought, as
|
|
wellastheyamazedthebeholders. Hischar-
|
|
itywasnotconfinedtohiskindredorrelations;
|
|
norwas allhiskindness swallowedup in the
|
|
endearmentsofthatpeculiarfriendship which
|
|
he carried towards the beloved disciple, but
|
|
everyonewashisfriendwhoobeyedhisholy
|
|
commands^Johnxv.14;'dndizuhosoeverdidthe
|
|
willofhisleather,thesamewastohimashis
|
|
brotheriandsister,andmother.
|
|
Neverwasanyunwelcometohimwhocame
|
|
withanhonestintention; nordidhe denyany
|
|
requestwhichtendedtothegoodofthosethat
|
|
asked it. So that what was spoken of that
|
|
|
|
## RomanEmperor,whomforhis goodness they
|
|
|
|
calledthedarlingofmankind,wasreallyper-
|
|
formed byhim; thatneveranydepartedfrom
|
|
him with a heavy countenance, except that
|
|
|
|
## richyouth,Markx.whowassorrytohearthat
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
thekingdomofheavenstoodatsohigharate,
|
|
andthat he could not save his soul and his
|
|
```
|
|
## moneytoo. AndcertainlyittroubledourSav-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
iour,toseethatwhenapricewasin his hand
|
|
togetwisdom,yethehadnohearttoit. The
|
|
ingenuitythatappearedinhislirstaddress,had
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 31
|
|
|
|
alreadyprocured some kindness for him; for
|
|
itissaid,avdycstisbelwldiiighivi,lovedhim.
|
|
Butmustheforhissakecutouta new wayto
|
|
heaven,andalter the nature ofthings,which
|
|
|
|
## makeitimpossiblethatacovetousmanshould
|
|
|
|
behappy?
|
|
|
|
## And what shall I speak ofhis meekness,
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
whocouldencounterthemonstrous ingratitude
|
|
and dissimulation of that miscreant who be-
|
|
trayedhim, in no harsher terms than these,
|
|
yudas, hetraycstthoitthe Son ofman zuifh a
|
|
```
|
|
## kissf What further evidence couldwedesire
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ofhisferventandunboundedcharity,thanthat
|
|
hewillinglylaiddownhislifeevenforhismost
|
|
bitterenemies; and,minglinghisprayerswith
|
|
hisblood,besought theFather that his death
|
|
mightnotbelaidtotheircharge,butmightbe-
|
|
come the meansofeternal life to those very
|
|
personswhoprocuredit?
|
|
```
|
|
T
|
|
|
|
## OurSaviour'sPurity
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
HE third branch of the divine life is
|
|
ptirity; which, as I said, consists in a
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
32 The Lifo ofGod
|
|
|
|
neglect ofworldlyenjoyments and accommo-
|
|
dations, and a resolute enduring of all such
|
|
troubles aswe meetwith in the doing ofour
|
|
duty. Now, surely, if ever any personwas
|
|
whollydeadtoallthe pleasuresofthenatural
|
|
life, it was the blessed Jesus, who seldom
|
|
tasted themwhen theycame in his way;but
|
|
never stepped outof his roadto seek them.
|
|
|
|
## He allowed others the comforts of w-edlock,
|
|
|
|
and honored marriagewithhispresence; and
|
|
suppliedthewantofwinewith a miracle,yet
|
|
hewouldnotworkoneforthereliefofhisown
|
|
hunger in the w^ilderness: so gracious and
|
|
divinew^asthe temper ofhissoul,inallowing
|
|
to others such lawfulgratificationsashimself
|
|
thoughtgood to abstain from, and supplying
|
|
notonlytheirmore extremeandpressingne-
|
|
cessities,butalsotheirsmallerandlessconsid-
|
|
erable w^ants. We many times hear of our
|
|
Saviour's sighs, and groans, and tears; but
|
|
never that he laughed, andbut once that he
|
|
rejoiced in spirit; sothat through his w-hole
|
|
lifehedidexactlyanswerthatcharactergiven
|
|
ofhim by the prophet of old,that he w'as a
|
|
man ofsorrows^ and acquainted zvithg')'ief.
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 33
|
|
|
|
Norwerethe troublesanddisaccommodations
|
|
ofhis lifeotherthanmattersofchoice. For
|
|
neverdidthereanyappearonthestageofthe
|
|
world with greater advantage to have raised
|
|
|
|
## himselftothehighestsecularfelicity. Hewho
|
|
|
|
couldbringtogethersuchaprodigiousnumber
|
|
offishesintohisdisciples'net,and,atanother
|
|
time,receive thattribute fromafishwhichhe
|
|
wasto payto the temple, might easily have
|
|
madehimselftherichest personintheworld.
|
|
Nay,withoutanymoneyhe couldhavemain-
|
|
tainedanarmypowerfulenoughtohavejostled
|
|
CcBsaroutofhis throne; having oftenerthan
|
|
once fed several thousandswith a fewloaves
|
|
and small fishes. But, to show how small
|
|
esteem he had of allthe enjoyments in the
|
|
world, hechose tolive in so poor andmean
|
|
a condition, that though thefoxes hadholes
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
^
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
andthe birdsoftheairhadnests.,yethewho
|
|
was lord and heir ofall things, had 7iot
|
|
```
|
|
## whereontolayhishead. Hedidnotfrequent
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
the courts ofprinces,norafiect theacquaint-
|
|
ance or converse of great ones; but, being
|
|
reputed thesonofacarpenter, hehadfisher-
|
|
men and suchother poorpeople forhiscom-
|
|
3
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
34 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
panions,andlivedatsucharateassuitedwith
|
|
themeannessofthatcondition.
|
|
```
|
|
## OurSaviour'sHumility
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
A NDthusI ambroughtunawarestospeak
|
|
of his humility^ the last branch of the
|
|
divine life; wherein he was a most eminent
|
|
patterntous, thatwemightlearn ofhimtohe
|
|
meek and lozvly in heart. I shall not now
|
|
speak of that infinite condescension of the
|
|
eternalSonofGod,intakingournatureupon
|
|
him; but only reflecton our Saviour's lowly
|
|
and humble deportment while he was in the
|
|
```
|
|
## world. He had none of those sins and im-
|
|
|
|
## perfections whichmay justlyhumble the best
|
|
|
|
ofmen; but hewas so entirelyswallowedup
|
|
with a deepsenseofthe infiniteperfectionsof
|
|
God,that he appeared as nothinginhis own
|
|
|
|
## eyes,Imean, sofarashewasacreature. He
|
|
|
|
considered those eminent perfections which
|
|
shinedin his blessedsoul,asnothisown,but
|
|
thegiftsofGod; andthereforeassumednoth-
|
|
ing to himself for them, but with the pro-
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 35
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
foundest humility renounced all pretences to
|
|
them. Hencedidherefusethatordinarycom-
|
|
pellation ofgood master, when addressed to
|
|
```
|
|
## his human nature,byonewhomitseemswas
|
|
|
|
## ignorant ofhis divinity: Whycallestthoume
|
|
|
|
goodPthere isnonegood, butGodonly:As
|
|
ifhe had said,The goodness ofanycreature
|
|
|
|
## (and such only thou takest me tobe) isnot
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
worthytobe named ortaken notice of; itis
|
|
God alone who is originally and essentially
|
|
```
|
|
## good. He nevermadeuse ofhis miraculous
|
|
|
|
## power for vanity or ostentation. He would
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
not gratify the curiosity of the Jews with a
|
|
signfromheaven,someprodigiousappearance
|
|
in theair: norwould hefollowthe advice of
|
|
his countrymen and kindred,whowouldhave
|
|
hadallhisgreat worksperlbrmedin theeyes
|
|
oftheworld,forgaininghimthegreaterfame.
|
|
Butwhenhischarityhadprompted himtothe
|
|
reliefofthe miserable,his humilitymadehim
|
|
manytimesenjointheconcealmentofthemir-
|
|
acle; andwhen the glory of God, and the
|
|
designforwhich he came into the world, re-
|
|
quiredthepublicationofthem,heascribedthe
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
36 The LifeofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
honorofalltohisFather,tellingthem,thatof
|
|
himselfhewasabletodo7iothing.
|
|
I cannot insist on allthe instances of hu-
|
|
mility in his deportment towards men; his
|
|
withdrawing himself when they would have
|
|
made hima king, his subjection,notonly to
|
|
hisblessedmother,buttoherhusband,during
|
|
his youngeryears; andhis submission toall
|
|
theindignitiesandaffrontswhichhisrudeand
|
|
malicious enemies did put upon him. The
|
|
historyof hisholylife,recordedbythosewho
|
|
conversedwithhim,isfullofsuchpassagesas
|
|
```
|
|
## these. And indeedthe serious and attentive
|
|
|
|
studyofit,is the bestwaytogetrightmeas-
|
|
ures ofhumility, and all the other parts of
|
|
religionwhichI havebeenendeavoringtode-
|
|
scribe.
|
|
|
|
## Butnow,that I maylessen yourtrouble of
|
|
|
|
readingalongletter,bymakingsomepauses
|
|
|
|
## in it,letme here subjoin a prayerthatmight
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
beproperwhen onewho had formerlyenter-
|
|
tainedsomefalsenotionsofreligion,beginsto
|
|
discoverwhatitis.
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
/;/ the SoulofMan. 37
|
|
|
|
## APrayer
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
"TNFINITEandeternalMajesty,authorand
|
|
fountain ofbeing and blessedness, how
|
|
littledowepoorsinfulcreaturesknowofthee,
|
|
orthewaytoserveandpleasethee! Wetalk
|
|
ofreligion,andpretenduntoit: butalasI how
|
|
feware therethat knowand considerwhatit
|
|
means! Howeasilydowe mistaketheaffec-
|
|
tionsofournature, andtheissuesof self-love
|
|
forthosedivinegraceswhichalonecanrender
|
|
```
|
|
## us acceptable in thy sightI It may justly
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
grieve me, to consider, that I should have
|
|
wandered so long, and contented myselfso
|
|
often with vainshadows and false images of
|
|
pietvandreligion: yetI cannotbutacknowl-
|
|
edgeandadore thygoodness,who hast been
|
|
pleasedin some measure toopenmine eyes,
|
|
```
|
|
## andlet me seewhatitis atwhich I oughtto
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
aim. I rejoice to consider whatmighty im-
|
|
```
|
|
## provements mynatureiscapable of,andwhat
|
|
|
|
a divine temper ofspirit doth shine in those
|
|
|
|
## whom thou art pleasedtochoose,andcausest
|
|
|
|
to approach unto thee. Blessed be thine in-
|
|
|
|
|
|
38 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
finite mercy, who sentest thine own Son to
|
|
dwell among men,andtoinstructthembyhis
|
|
example aswell as his laws, givingthem a
|
|
|
|
## perfect patternofwhattheyoughttobe. Oh
|
|
|
|
## that the holy life of the blessed Jesus may
|
|
|
|
## be always in mythoughts, and before mine
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
eyes,tillIreceiveadeepsenseandimpression
|
|
ofthose excellent graces that shined so emi-
|
|
```
|
|
## nentlyin him; andletmeneverceasemyen-
|
|
|
|
deavors,tillthatnewanddivinenatureprevail
|
|
|
|
## inmysoulandChristbeformedwithinme."
|
|
|
|
## THE EXCELLENXYAND ADVANTAGE OF
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
RELIGION.
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
A ND now,mydear friend,having discov-
|
|
eredthenatureoftruereligion,beforeI
|
|
proceed any further^, it will not perhaps be
|
|
unfittofixourmeditationsalittleontheexcel-
|
|
```
|
|
## lency and advantages of it; thatwe may be
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
excitedtothemorevigorousanddiligentprose-
|
|
cution ofthose methods wherebywe mayat-
|
|
tainso£ri*eatafelicitv. Butalas! whatwords
|
|
shallwefindtoexpressthatinwardsatisfaction,
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ill the Soul ofAlan. 39
|
|
```
|
|
those hidden pleasures which can never be
|
|
righdyunderstood,butbythoseholysoulswho
|
|
feelthem? Astrangerintermeddlethnotwith
|
|
theirjoy. Holiness is the righttemper, the
|
|
vigorousandhealthfulconstitutionofthesoul.
|
|
Its faculties had formerl}^been enfeebled and
|
|
disordered,sothattheycouldnotexercisetheir
|
|
natural functions; it had wearied itselfw^ith
|
|
endless tossings and rollings, and was never
|
|
able to find any rest: now, that distemper
|
|
being removed, it feels itself well; there is
|
|
adue harmonyinitsfaculties,andasprightly
|
|
vigorpossessetheverypart. Theunderstand-
|
|
ingcandiscernwhatisgood,andthewillcan
|
|
cleaveuntoit: theaffectionsarenottiedtothe
|
|
motionsofsense,andtheinfluenceofexternal
|
|
objects; but they are stirred by more divine
|
|
impressions,are touched bya senseofinvisi-
|
|
blethings.
|
|
|
|
L
|
|
|
|
## TheExcellencyofDivineLove
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ETusdescend,ifyouplease,intoanearer
|
|
and more particular view ofreligion, in
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
40 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
thoseseveralbranchesofitwhichwerenamed
|
|
before. Letus consider thatlove and affec-
|
|
tionwherewith holysouls are united to God,
|
|
|
|
## thatw^e maysee what excellency and felicity
|
|
|
|
isinvolved in it. Love is that powerfuland
|
|
prevalent passion, by which all the faculties
|
|
and inclinations of the soul are determined,
|
|
and on which both its perfection and happi-
|
|
nessdepend. Theworthand excellencyofa
|
|
soulis tobe measured by the object of its
|
|
|
|
## love. Hewholovethmeanandsordidthings,
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
doth thereby become base and vile; but a
|
|
noble andwell-placed affection,doth advance
|
|
andnnprove the spirit into a conformit}^with
|
|
the perfections which it loves. The images
|
|
ofthesedofrequentlypresentthemselves unto
|
|
the mind,and, bya secretforceand energy,
|
|
insinuateintotheveryconstitutionofthe soul,
|
|
and mouldand fashionituntotheirownlike-
|
|
```
|
|
## ness. Hence we may see how easily lovers
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
orfriendsdoslideintotheimitationoftheper-
|
|
sonsw^homthey affect, andhow, even before
|
|
theyareaware,theybegin toresemble them,
|
|
not only in the more considerable instances
|
|
of their deportment, but also in their voice
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
the SoulofMan. 41
|
|
|
|
andgesture, andthatwhichwecalltheirmien
|
|
|
|
## and air. And certainly we should as well
|
|
|
|
transcribe the virtues and inward beauties of
|
|
the soul, ifthey were the object and motive
|
|
of our love. But now, as all the creatures
|
|
we conversewith have their mixture and al-
|
|
loy,w^earealwaj^sinhazardtobesullied and
|
|
corruptedby placingour affections on them.
|
|
Passiondotheasilyblindour eyes,so thatwe
|
|
firstapprove,andthenimitate the things that
|
|
areblamable in them. Thetruewayto im-
|
|
proveandennoble our souls,is,bvfixing our
|
|
|
|
## love on the divine perfections, that we may
|
|
|
|
have them always before us, and derive an
|
|
impression ofthem on ourselves,and behold-
|
|
ingwithofenface^asinaglass,thegloryof
|
|
the Lord, zue maybe changed into the same
|
|
|
|
## image,fromglory toglory. Hewho witha
|
|
|
|
generous and holy ambition hath raised his
|
|
e3^estowardsthatuncreated beautyand good-
|
|
ness,andfixedhis affection there, is quiteof
|
|
anotherspirit,ofa more excellent and heroic
|
|
temperthantherestoftheworld; and cannot
|
|
butinfinitely disdain all mean and unworthy
|
|
things; will not entertain any low or base
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
thoughtswhichmight disparagehis high and
|
|
noble pretensions. Love is the greatest and
|
|
mostexcellent thingwe aremasters of; and
|
|
therefore itis follyand baseness to bestowit
|
|
unworthily. It is indeed the only thing we
|
|
cancallourown. Otherthingsmaybetaken
|
|
fromusbyviolence; butnone can ravish our
|
|
love. Ifany thing,else be counted ours, by
|
|
givingourlovewegiveall,sofaraswemake
|
|
over our hearts and wills,b}' which we pos-
|
|
sessourother enjoyments. Itis not possible
|
|
|
|
## to refuse him anvthincr,towhom bvlovewe
|
|
|
|
have given ourselves. Nay, since it is the
|
|
privilege of gifts to receive theirvalue from
|
|
themindofthegiver, andnottobe measured
|
|
by the event, but by the desire; he who
|
|
|
|
## lovethmayinsome sensebe saidnotonlyto
|
|
|
|
bestow all that he hath, but all things else
|
|
|
|
## which may makethe belovedperson happy,
|
|
|
|
since he doth heartilywish them, and would
|
|
readily givethem,iftheywerein his power.
|
|
In which sense itis that one makesbold to
|
|
say, Thatdivine lovedoth in a mannergive
|
|
Godunto himsefbythe complacencyit takes
|
|
inthe happinessandperfectionofhisnature.
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
in the SoulofAlan. 43
|
|
```
|
|
## Butthoughthismayseemtoo strained an ex-
|
|
|
|
pression,certainlyloveistheworthiestpresent
|
|
we can offerunto God; and it is extremely
|
|
debasedwhenwebestowitanotherway.
|
|
When this affection is misplaced, it doth
|
|
oftenventitselfinsuchexpressionsaspointat
|
|
its genuine and properobject, and insinuate
|
|
whereit ought to be placed. The flattering
|
|
andblasphemous termsofadoration,wherein
|
|
men do sometimes express their passion,are
|
|
thelanguageofthataffectionwhichwasmade
|
|
anddesignedforGod;ashewhoisaccustomed
|
|
tospeaktosomegreat person, doth, perhaps,
|
|
unawares, accostanother with those titles he
|
|
was wont to give to him. Butcertainlythat
|
|
passion which accounteth its object a Deity,
|
|
oughttobebestowedonhimwhoreallyis so.
|
|
Those unlimited submissions, which would
|
|
debase the soul if directed toanyother,will
|
|
exaltandennobleitwhenplacedhere. Those
|
|
chains and cords of love are infinitely more
|
|
gloriousthanlibertyitself; thisslaveryismore
|
|
noblethanailtheempiresintheworld.
|
|
|
|
|
|
44 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## TheAdvantagesofDivineLove
|
|
|
|
\ GAIN, asdiv^ine love doth advance and
|
|
^ ^ elevatethesoul,soitisthatalonewhich
|
|
can make it happy. The highest and most
|
|
ravishingpleasures,themostsolidandsubstan-
|
|
tialdelights,thathuman nature is capable of,
|
|
arethosewhicharisefromthe endearments of
|
|
awell-placed and successful affection. That
|
|
whichimbitterslove, and makesit ordinarily
|
|
averytroublesomeand hurtful passion,is the
|
|
placingitonthosewhohavenotworthenough
|
|
todeserveit,or affection and gratitude to re-
|
|
|
|
## quireit,orwhose absence may deprive us of
|
|
|
|
thepleasureoftheirconverse,ortheirmiseries
|
|
|
|
## occasion our trouble. To all these evils are
|
|
|
|
theyexposed,whosechiefandsupreme affec-
|
|
tionisplacedoncreatureslikethemselves:but
|
|
theloveofGoddeliversusfromthemall.
|
|
|
|
|
|
tn the SoulofMan. 45
|
|
|
|
## THEWORTHOFTHEOBJECT.
|
|
|
|
## L^IRST,I say,love must needs be misera-
|
|
|
|
ble, and full oftrouble and disquietude,
|
|
whenthereisnotworthandexcellencyenough
|
|
intheobjecttoanswer the vastness ofits ca-
|
|
pacity. Soeagerand violent a passion, can-
|
|
notbutfretandtormentthespirit,whereitfinds
|
|
notwherewithtosatisfyitscravings. And,in-
|
|
deed,solargeandunboundedisitsnature,that
|
|
itmust be extremely pinched and straitened,
|
|
whenconfinedtoanycreature; nothing below
|
|
aninfinitegood can aftbrd it room to stretch
|
|
|
|
## itself,andexertits vigorand activity. What
|
|
|
|
is a little skin-deep beauty, or some small
|
|
degreesofgoodness,tomatchorsatisfyapas-
|
|
sionwhichwasmadeforGod,designedtoem-
|
|
|
|
## braceaninfinitegood? Nowonderlovers do
|
|
|
|
sohardlysuffer any rival, and do not desire
|
|
thatothersshouldapprovetheirpassionbyim-
|
|
itatingit. Theyknowthescantinessand nar-
|
|
rownessofthe good which they love, that it
|
|
cannotsufficetwo,beingineffect toolittle for
|
|
one. Hence love, which is strong-as death,
|
|
|
|
|
|
46 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
occasioneth jealousy which is cruel as the
|
|
grave; the coals whereof are coals of fire,
|
|
which hath a most violent flame.
|
|
Butdivinelovehathnomixtureofthisgall
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
whenonce the soul is fixed on that supreme
|
|
andall-sufficient good, it finds so much per-
|
|
fectionandgoodness,asdoth notonlyanswer
|
|
andsatisfyitsaffection, but master and over-
|
|
powerittoo: itfindsallitslovetobe toofaint
|
|
andlanguidforsuchanobleobject,andisonly
|
|
sorrythatitcancommandnomore. Itwisheth
|
|
fortheflames ofa serafh. and longs for the
|
|
timewhenitshall be wholly melted and dis-
|
|
solvedintolove: andbecauseitcandosolittle
|
|
itself,itdesirestheassistanceofthewholecrea-
|
|
tion,thatangelsandmenwouldconcurwithit
|
|
intheadmirationandloveofthoseinfiniteper-
|
|
fections.
|
|
```
|
|
THECERTAINTYTOBEBELOVEDAGAIN.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
A GAIN,loveis accompaniedwith trouble,
|
|
whenitmissethasuitablereturnofaffec-
|
|
tion: loveis the mostvaluable thina" we can
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 47
|
|
|
|
bestow,andbygivingit,we do in effect give
|
|
allthatwehave; and therefore it needs must
|
|
beafflicting tofind so great a gift despised,
|
|
thatthe present which one hath made ofhis
|
|
wholeheart, cannot prevail toobtain any re-
|
|
turn. Perfectloveisakindofself-dereliction,
|
|
awanderingoutofourselves; itis a kind of
|
|
voluntarydeath,whereintheloverdiestohim-
|
|
self,andallhis own interest, notthinking of
|
|
them,norcaringfortheman}^more,andmind-
|
|
|
|
## ingnothingbuthowhemaypleaseandgratify
|
|
|
|
## the partywhom he loves. Thus he is quite
|
|
|
|
undoneunlesshe meets with reciprocal aliec-
|
|
tion; heneglectshimself, and the other hath
|
|
noregardtohim; butifhe be beloved, he is
|
|
revived,asitwere,andlivethin the soul and
|
|
|
|
## careofthe person whom he loves; and now
|
|
|
|
hebeginstomind his own concernments, not
|
|
somuchbecausetheyare his, asbecause the
|
|
belovedispleasedtoown an interestin them.
|
|
|
|
## Hebecomesdearunto himself, because he is
|
|
|
|
sountotheother.
|
|
|
|
## Butwhyshould I enlarge on so known a
|
|
|
|
matter? Nothingcanbemoreclear,thanthat
|
|
thehappinessoflovedependson thereturn it
|
|
|
|
|
|
zj.8 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## meetswith. Andhereinthedivinelover hath
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
unspeakablytheadvantage,havingplaced his
|
|
affectiononhimwhose nature is love; whose
|
|
goodness is as infinite as his being; whose
|
|
mercypreventeduswhenwewerehisenemies,
|
|
thereforecannotchoosebut embraceus when
|
|
we are become his friends. It is utterlyim-
|
|
possible that God should deny his love to a
|
|
soulwhollydevotedtohim,andwhich desires
|
|
nothingsomuch as to serve and please him.
|
|
```
|
|
## Hecannotdisdainhisownimage,northeheart
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
inwhichitisengraven. Loveis all the trib-
|
|
utewhichwecanpayhim,anditis the sacri-
|
|
ficewhichhewillnotdespise.
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
THE PRESENXE OFTHE BELOVED PERSON.
|
|
A XOTHERthingwhichdisturbsthepleas-
|
|
ure oflove, and renders it a miserable
|
|
andunquietpassion,isabsenceandseparation
|
|
fromthosewelove. Itisnotwithouta sensi-
|
|
bleaffliction that friends do part, thoughfor
|
|
somelittletime. It is sad to be deprived of
|
|
thatsocietywhichissodelightful; ourlifebe-
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 49
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
comestedious,beingspentinanimpatientex-
|
|
```
|
|
## pectationofthe happyhourwherein we may
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
meetagain. ButifDeathhathmadethesep-
|
|
aration,assometimeorotheritmust,thisocca-
|
|
sionsagriefscarcetobeparalleled byallthe
|
|
misfortunesofhumanlife,andwhereinwepay
|
|
dearenoughforthecomfortsofourfriendship.
|
|
Butohhowhappyare thosewho haveplaced
|
|
theirloveonhimwhocanneverbeabsentfrom
|
|
them! They need but open their eyes, and
|
|
theyshalleverywherebeholdthetraces ofhis
|
|
presence and glory, and converse with him
|
|
```
|
|
## whomtheirsoulloveth. And this makes the
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
darkestprison,orthe wildest desert, not only
|
|
supportable,butdelightfultothem.
|
|
```
|
|
THE DIVINE LOVE MAKES US PARTAKE OF
|
|
|
|
## ANINFINITE HAPPINESS.
|
|
|
|
TN fine, a lover is miserable if the person
|
|
|
|
## whom he loveth be so. They whohave
|
|
|
|
made an exchange of hearts by love, get
|
|
therebyaninterestin oneanother's happiness
|
|
andmisery: andthismakesloveatroublesome
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 The Life of God
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
passionwhenplacedonearth. Themostfor-
|
|
tunate person hath griefenough to mar the
|
|
tranquiUityofhisfriend; anditishardtohold
|
|
out,when we are attacked on all hands,and
|
|
suffernotonlyinourownpersonbutinanoth-
|
|
er's. ButifGodweretheobject ofourlove,
|
|
weshouldshareinaninfinitehappiness,with-
|
|
out any mixtureor possibilityof diminution;
|
|
weshouldrejoicetobehold the glor}"ofGod,
|
|
andreceivecomfortand pleasure from all the
|
|
praiseswherewithmenandangelsdoextolhim.
|
|
Itshoulddelightus beyond all expression, to
|
|
consider, that the beloved ofour souls is in,
|
|
finitelyhappyinhimself, andthatall his ene-
|
|
miescannotshakeorunsettle histhrone; that
|
|
our Godisintheheavens^anddothwhatsoever
|
|
hefleascth.
|
|
Behold,onwhatsurefoundationsbis happi-
|
|
nessisbuilt,whosesoul ispossessed withdi-
|
|
vinelove; whosewill istransformed into the
|
|
willofGod,andwhosegreatestdesireis,that
|
|
```
|
|
## hisMakershould bepleased. Ohthepeace,
|
|
|
|
therest,thesatisfactionthat attendeth such a
|
|
temperofmind!
|
|
|
|
|
|
/;/ the SotilofMan. 51
|
|
|
|
## HETHAT LOVETH GOD FINDSSWEETNESS IN
|
|
|
|
EVERYDISPENSATION.
|
|
|
|
T^T'HAT an infinite pleasuremust itneeds
|
|
be,thus, asitwere,to lose ourselves
|
|
inhim,and,being swallowed upin the over-
|
|
coming sense of his goodness, to offer our-
|
|
selves a living sacrifice, always ascending
|
|
unto him in flames of loveI Never doth a
|
|
soul know what solid joy and substantial
|
|
pleasure is, till, once being weary of itself,
|
|
it renounces all property, gives itself up to
|
|
theauthorofitsbeing, andteelsitselfbecome
|
|
a hallowed anddevoted thing; and can say,
|
|
fromaninwardsenseandfeeling,Mybeloved
|
|
isjiime, (Iaccountall his interestmineown)
|
|
|
|
## and Iam his: I am content to be anything
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
for him, and carenot for myself, but that I
|
|
```
|
|
## may servehim. A. personmoulded into this
|
|
|
|
temper,wouldfindpleasurein all thedispen-
|
|
sations ofprovidence. Temporal enjoyments
|
|
would have another relish, when he should
|
|
taste thedivine goodness in them, and con-
|
|
siderthem as tokensoflove sentbyhisdear-
|
|
|
|
|
|
TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## est Lord and master. And chastisements,
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
though they be not joyous but grievous,
|
|
would hereby lose their sting: the rod as
|
|
well as the staff would comfort him: he
|
|
would snatch a kiss from the hand that was
|
|
smiting him, and gather sweetness fromthat
|
|
severity. Nay,hewouldrejoice,that though
|
|
God did notthewill ofsuchaworthless and
|
|
foolishcreatureashimself,yet hedidhisown
|
|
will,andaccomplishedhisowndesigns,which
|
|
areinfinitelymoreholyandwise.
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
THE DUTIES OF RELIGION ARE DELIGHTFUL
|
|
TO HIM.
|
|
```
|
|
## ^I^HEexercises ofreligion,which toothers
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
are insipid and tedious, do yield the
|
|
highest pleasure and delight to souls pos-
|
|
sessedwith divine love. Theyrejoice when
|
|
they are calledtogo up to the houseofthe
|
|
```
|
|
## Lo7'd, that they may see his -power and his
|
|
|
|
glory^ as they haveformerly seen it in his
|
|
sanctuary. They never think themselves so
|
|
happy as when, having retired from the
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
/;/ the Soul of 3 fan. 53
|
|
```
|
|
world, and gotten free from the noise and
|
|
hurryofaffau's,andsilencedalltheirclamor-
|
|
ous passions, (those troublesome guestswith-
|
|
in,) theyhave placed themselves in thepres-
|
|
ence of God, and entertain fellowship and
|
|
communionwith him. Thevdeligrht toadore
|
|
his perfections,andrecount hisfavors,and to
|
|
protest their affection to him, and tell him a
|
|
thousand times that theylovehim;tolayout
|
|
their troubles orwants before him, and dis-
|
|
burden their hearts in his bosom. Repent-
|
|
ance itself is a delightful exercise, when it
|
|
floweth from the principle oflove: thereisa
|
|
secret sweetness \A'hich accompanieth those
|
|
tears of remorse, those meltings and relent-
|
|
ings of a soul returning unto God, and la-
|
|
menting its formerunkindness.
|
|
The severitiesofa holylife,and that con-
|
|
stant watch which we are obliged to keep
|
|
over our hearts and ways, are very trouble-
|
|
some to those who are overruled and acted
|
|
by.an externallaw,and have no lawin their
|
|
minds inclining them to the performance of
|
|
theirduty. Butwhere divine lovepossesseth
|
|
thesoul,itstandsassentineltokeepoutevery
|
|
|
|
|
|
54 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
## thing that may offend the beloved, and doth
|
|
|
|
disdainfully repulse those temptations which
|
|
assault it. Itcomplieth cheerfulh^ not only
|
|
with explicit commands, but with the most
|
|
secretnotices ofthebeloved's pleasure; and
|
|
is ingenious in discoveringwhatwill be most
|
|
grateful and acceptable unto him. It makes
|
|
mortification and self-denial change their
|
|
harsh anddreadful names,andbecome easy,
|
|
sweet, anddehghtfulthings.
|
|
|
|
## ButIfindthispartofmyletterswellbigger
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
than I desi^jned: indeed who would not be
|
|
tempted todwell on so pleasant atheme? I
|
|
shall endeavorto compensate itbybrevityin
|
|
theotherpoints.
|
|
```
|
|
THE EXCELLE^XY OF CHARITY.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
'T^HEnext branch of the divine life is an
|
|
universal charityandlove. Theexcel-
|
|
lency of this grace will be easily acknowl-
|
|
edged. For what can be more noble and
|
|
generous than a heart enlarged to embrace
|
|
the whole world, whose wishes and designs
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the Soul ofMan. 55
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
are levelled at the good and welfare of the
|
|
universe,whichconsidereth everyman'sinter-
|
|
```
|
|
## estas its own? Hewho loveth his neighbor
|
|
|
|
as himself can never entertain any base or
|
|
injurious thought, or be wanting in expres-
|
|
sions ofbounty: he had rathersufferathou-
|
|
sandwrongs,thanbeguiltyofone; andnever
|
|
accountshimself happy, but when some one
|
|
or other hath been benefited by him. The
|
|
malice or ingratitude of men is not able to
|
|
resist his love: he overlooks their injuries,
|
|
and pities their folly, and overcomes their
|
|
evilwith good; and never designs anyother
|
|
revengeagainst his mostbitterand malicious
|
|
enemies,thantoputall theobligationshecan
|
|
upon them, whether they will or not. Is it
|
|
anywonderthat suchapersonbe reverenced
|
|
and admired, and accounted the darling of
|
|
mankind? Thisinward goodnessandbenig-
|
|
nityofspirit reflects acertain sweetness and
|
|
serenity upon the very countenance, and
|
|
makes it amiable and lovely. It inspireth
|
|
the soulwith anoble resolution andcourage,
|
|
and makes it capable of enterprising and
|
|
effecting the highest things. Those heroic
|
|
|
|
|
|
56 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
actionswhichwe arewonttoreadwithadmi-
|
|
ration,haveforthemostpartbeen theeffects
|
|
ofthe love ofone's country, or of particular
|
|
friendships; and certainly a more extensive
|
|
and universal affection must be much more
|
|
powerfuland efficacious.
|
|
|
|
THE PLEASURE THATATTENDS CHARITY.
|
|
|
|
A GAIN,ascharityflowsfrom anoble and
|
|
excellenttemper, so itis accompanied
|
|
with the greatest satisfaction and pleasure.
|
|
Itdelightsthesoultofeel itselfthusenlarged,
|
|
and tobe deliveredfrom those disquietingas
|
|
well as deformed passions, malice, hatred,
|
|
and envy; and become gentle, sweet, and
|
|
|
|
## benign. Had I m}^ choice ofall things that
|
|
|
|
might tend to my present felicity, I would
|
|
|
|
## pitch upon this, to have my heart possessed
|
|
|
|
with the greatest kindness and aflection to-
|
|
|
|
## wards all menin the world. I am sure this
|
|
|
|
## would make me partakein all the happiness
|
|
|
|
ofothers; theirinward endowments,andout-
|
|
wardprosperity: every thing thatdid benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 57
|
|
|
|
## and advantage them, would afford me com-
|
|
|
|
## fortand pleasure. Andthough I should fre-
|
|
|
|
quenth^ meet with occasions of grief and
|
|
compassion,yetthereis a sweetness in com-
|
|
miseration, which makes it infinitely more
|
|
desirable thana stupidinsensibility: and the
|
|
consideration of that infinite goodness and
|
|
wisdom which governs the world, might re-
|
|
press any excessive trouble for particular
|
|
calamities that happen in it: and thehopes
|
|
orpossibility ofmen's after-happiness, might
|
|
moderate their sorrow for their present mis-
|
|
fortunes. Certainly, next to the love and
|
|
enjoyment of God, that ardent charity and
|
|
affectionwherewithblessed souls do embrace
|
|
one another, is justly to be reckoned asthe
|
|
greatest felicity of those regions above: and
|
|
didituniversallyprevailintheworld,itwould
|
|
anticipatethatblessedness,and makeus taste
|
|
ofthejoysofheavenuponearth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
58 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
THE EXCELLENCY OF PURITY.
|
|
'HPHAT which I named as a third branch
|
|
```
|
|
## of rehgion, was purity: and you may
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
remember I described it to consistin a con-
|
|
tempt of sensual pleasures, and resoluteness
|
|
to undergo those troubles and pains we
|
|
```
|
|
## may meet with in the performance of our
|
|
|
|
## dut}^. Now, the naming of this may suffice
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
torecommend it asa most noble and excel-
|
|
lentquality. There isnoslaverysobase,as
|
|
```
|
|
## thatwhereby aman becomes adrudgetohis
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
own lusts; nor any victory so glorious, as
|
|
that which is obtained over them. Never
|
|
can that personbe capable ofanythingthat
|
|
isnobleandworth}',whoissunkin thegross
|
|
andfeculent pleasures ofsense,orbewitched
|
|
withthe lightand airygratificationsoffancy.
|
|
But the religious soul is of a more sublime
|
|
and divinetemper; itknowsit wasmadefor
|
|
higher things, and scorns to step aside one
|
|
footoutofthewayofholiness,fortheobtain-
|
|
inganyofthese.
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 59
|
|
|
|
THE DELIGHTAFFORDED BY PURITY.
|
|
A ND this purity is accompanied with a
|
|
great deal of pleasure: whatsoever
|
|
defiles the soul disturbs it too; all impure
|
|
delights have a sting in them, and leave
|
|
smart andtrouble behind them. Excess and
|
|
intemperance, and all inordinatelusts, are so
|
|
much enemiestothe healthofthe body, and
|
|
the interestsof this present life, that a little
|
|
|
|
## consideration might oblige any rational man
|
|
|
|
toforbear themon thatveryscore: andifthe
|
|
religious person go higher, and do not only
|
|
abstain from noxious pleasures, but neglect
|
|
thosethatareinnocent,thisisnottobelooked
|
|
upon as any violentand uneasy restraint,but
|
|
asthe effectofbetterchoice,thattheirminds
|
|
are taken up in thepursuit of more sublime
|
|
and refined delights, so that they cannot be
|
|
|
|
## concerned in these. Anyperson that is en-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
gaged in a violent and passionate affection,
|
|
will easily forget his ordinary gratifications,
|
|
will be little curious about his diet, or his
|
|
bodily ease, or the divertisements he was
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
6o TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## wontto delic^htin. No wonderthen ifsouls
|
|
|
|
overpoweredwithdivine love,despise inferior
|
|
pleasures,andbe almost readytogrudge the
|
|
|
|
## bodyitsnecessaryattendanceforthe common
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
accommodationsoflife,judging all theseim-
|
|
pertinent totheir main happiness, and those
|
|
higherenjoyments theyare pursuing. Asfor
|
|
the hardships theymeet with, they rejoice in
|
|
them, asopportunities to exercise and testify
|
|
theiraffection: andsince theyare abletodo
|
|
solitdeforGod,theyaregladofthe honorto
|
|
sufferforhim.
|
|
```
|
|
THEEXCELLENCY OF HUMILITY.
|
|
|
|
'T^HE last branch of religion is Juimility
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
and howeverto vulgarand carnal eyes
|
|
```
|
|
## thismayappearan abject,base,anddespica-
|
|
|
|
## ble quality, yetreallythe soulofman is not
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
capable ofa higher and more noble endow-
|
|
ment. Itisasillyignorancethatbegetspride:
|
|
buthumilityarisesfromaneareracquaintance
|
|
with excellent things,which keeps menfrom
|
|
doatingon trifles,oradmiring themselvesbe-
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the Soul ofMan. 6i
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
causeofsomeprettyattainments. Nobleand
|
|
welleducatedsoulshavenosuchhighopinion
|
|
ofriches,beauty,strength,andothersuchlike
|
|
advantages, astovalue themselves for them,
|
|
or despise those thatwant them: and as for
|
|
inwardworthandrealgoodness,thesensethey
|
|
have of the divine perfections makes them
|
|
think very meanlv of any thing they have
|
|
hitherto attained, and be still endeavorin<r to
|
|
surmount themselves, and make nearer ap-
|
|
proaches to those infinite excellencies which
|
|
theyadmire.
|
|
```
|
|
## Iknownotwhatthoughts peoplemayhave
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ofhumility,butIseealmosteverypersonpre-
|
|
tending toit, and shunning such expressions
|
|
and actions as maymakethem be accounted
|
|
arrogantandpresumptuous; sothatthosewho
|
|
are most desirous of praise, willbe loath to
|
|
```
|
|
## commend themselves. What are all those
|
|
|
|
complimentsandmodesofcivility,sofrequent
|
|
in ourordinaryconverse,butsomanyprotes-
|
|
tations of the esteem of others, andthe low
|
|
thoughtswe have ofourselves; andmust not
|
|
that humilitybe anoble andexcellentendow-
|
|
ment, when the very shadows of it are ac-
|
|
countedsonecessaryapartofgoodbreeding?
|
|
|
|
|
|
62 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## THE PLEASURE AND SWEETNESS OFAN
|
|
|
|
HUMBLE TEMPER.
|
|
|
|
A GAIN,this grace,is accompaniedwith a
|
|
greatdealof happinessandtranquilHty:
|
|
the proud and arrogant personis atrouble to
|
|
allthatconversewithhim,butmostofallunto
|
|
himself; everythingisenoughtovexhim;but
|
|
butscarceanythingissufficienttocontentand
|
|
|
|
## pleasehim. Heisreadytoquarrelwithever}-^
|
|
|
|
thingthatfallsout,asifhehimselfweresuch
|
|
a' considerable person, that God Almighty
|
|
should do everything togratifyhim,and all
|
|
thecreatures ofheavenand earthshouldwait
|
|
upon him,and obeyhis will. The leaves of
|
|
high treesdo shakewitheveryblastofwind:
|
|
andeverybreath,everyevilwordwilldisquiet
|
|
|
|
## andtormentanarrogantman: butthehumble
|
|
|
|
personhaththeadvantagewhenheisdespised,
|
|
thatnone canthinkmore meanlyofhimthan
|
|
he doth of himself; and therefore he is not
|
|
troubled at the matter, but can easily bear
|
|
those reproacheswhichwoundtheothertothe
|
|
|
|
## soul. Andwithal,ashe is lessaftected with
|
|
|
|
|
|
/;/ the Soulof 3 fan. 61,
|
|
|
|
injuries, soindeed he is less obnoxious unto
|
|
|
|
## them: contention, zuhichconieth offride,be-
|
|
|
|
## trays a man into a thousand inconveniences,
|
|
|
|
whichthoseofa meekand lowlytempersel-
|
|
dom meetwith. True and genuine humility
|
|
begettethbothavenerationandloveamongall
|
|
w^ise and discerning persons; whilepridede-
|
|
|
|
## featethitsowndesign, anddeprivethamanof
|
|
|
|
thathonoritmakeshimpretendto.
|
|
But as the chief exercises of humilitv are
|
|
those which relate unto Almighty God, so
|
|
theseareaccompaniedwith the greatest satis-
|
|
factionandsweetness. Itis impossibleto ex-
|
|
press the great pleasure and delight which
|
|
religious persons feelinthelowestprostration
|
|
of their souls before God, when, having a
|
|
deep sense of the divine majesty and glory,
|
|
|
|
## theysink(ifImaysospeak)tothebottomof
|
|
|
|
theirbeings, andvanish and disappear in the
|
|
presenceofGod,byaseriousand affectionate
|
|
acknowledgment of their own nothingness,
|
|
and the shortness and imperfections of their
|
|
attainments; when they understand the full
|
|
senseandemphasisofthePsalmist's exclama-
|
|
tions, Lord, zuhat is manf and can utter it
|
|
|
|
|
|
64 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
with the same affection. Never did any
|
|
haughty and ambitious person receive the
|
|
praises and applausesof men with so much
|
|
pleasure, as the humble and religious do re-
|
|
nouncethem:Not unto 21s, OLord.,notunto
|
|
us,butuntothyname,giveglory,dec.
|
|
Thus have I spoken somethingof the ex-
|
|
cellencies and advantage of religion in its
|
|
several branches; but should be very inju-
|
|
rious to the subject, did I pretend to have
|
|
given any perfect account of it. Let us ac-
|
|
```
|
|
## quaint ourselveswith it, my dear friend; let
|
|
|
|
us acquaintourselves with it, and experience
|
|
willteachusmorethanallthateverhath been
|
|
spoken or written concerning it. But if we
|
|
|
|
## maysupposethesoultobe alreadyawakened
|
|
|
|
unto some longing desires after so great a
|
|
blessedness,itwill be goodto givethemvent
|
|
and suffer them to issue forth in some such
|
|
aspirationsasthese:
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the Soul ofMan. 65
|
|
|
|
## APRAYER.
|
|
|
|
f~^OOD God! what a mightyfeHcityis this
|
|
towhichwearecalled! Howgraciousl}^
|
|
hast thou joined our duty and happiness to-
|
|
gether; andprescribed that forourwork,the
|
|
|
|
## performancewhereofisagreatreward! And
|
|
|
|
shallsuchsillywormsbeadvancedtoso great
|
|
aheight? Wiltthouallowustoraiseoure3xs
|
|
tothee? Wiltthouadmitandacceptouraffec-
|
|
tion? Shall we receive the impression of
|
|
thy divine excellencies, by beholding and
|
|
admiring them, and partake of thy infinite
|
|
blessednessand glory,bylovingthee,andre-
|
|
|
|
## joicing in them? Oh the happiness ofthose
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
soulsthathavebroken the fetters ofself-love,
|
|
and disentangled their affection from every
|
|
narrow and particular good; whose under-
|
|
standingsareenlightenedby the Holy Spirit,
|
|
andtheirwillsenlargedtotheextentofthine;
|
|
who lovethee above all things,andallman-
|
|
kind for thysake! I am persuaded,OGod!
|
|
```
|
|
## I am persuaded,that I can neverbe happ}',
|
|
|
|
## tillmycarnalandcorruptaffections be morti-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
5
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
66 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## fied,and thepride andvanityofmyspiritbe
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
subdued, and tillI come seriously to despise
|
|
theworld, andthinknothing ofmyself. But
|
|
```
|
|
## ohwhen shallitoncebe! Ohwhenwiltthou
|
|
|
|
## come unto me, and satisfy my soul withth}^
|
|
|
|
## likeness, making me holy as thou art holy,
|
|
|
|
even in all manner of conversation! Hast
|
|
|
|
## thougivenmeaprospectofsogreatafelicity,
|
|
|
|
## andwiltthounotbringmeunto it? Hastthou
|
|
|
|
excitedthesedesiresinni}-soul,and wiltthou
|
|
|
|
## notalsosatisfythem? Ohteachmetodothy
|
|
|
|
will,forthou art ni}^God; th}^spiritis good,
|
|
|
|
## leadmeintothelandofuprightness. Quicken
|
|
|
|
me,O Lord, forthyname'ssake, and perfect
|
|
that which concerneth me. Th}^ mercy, O
|
|
Lord,endurethforever; forsakenotthework
|
|
ofthineownhands.
|
|
|
|
THE DESPONDENTTHOUGHTS OF SOMENEW-
|
|
|
|
## LY AWAKENED TO A RIGHT SENSE OF
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
THINGS.
|
|
THAVE hitherto consideredwhereintruere-
|
|
ligion doth consist, and how desirable a
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the Soul ofMan, 67
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
thingitis. ButwliQiioneseeshowinfinitely
|
|
distantthe commontemperand frameofmen
|
|
```
|
|
## are fromit, he may perhaps be ready tode-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
spond and give over,and think it utterlyim-
|
|
```
|
|
## possible to be attained. He maysitdownin
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
sadness, andbemoan himself,andsay,inthe
|
|
anguish and bitterness of his spirit, "They
|
|
are happy indeed w^hose souls are awakened
|
|
untothe divine life,who are thusrenewedin
|
|
```
|
|
## the spirit of their minds. But, alas! I am
|
|
|
|
## quite ofanotherconstitution, andamnotable
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
toeffectsomightyachange. Ifoutwardob-
|
|
servances could have done the business, I
|
|
mighthavehopedtoacquitm3'selfbydiligence
|
|
andcare: but sincenothing butanewnature
|
|
```
|
|
## can serve theturn,what am I able to do? I
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
couldbestowallmygoodsinoblationstoGod,
|
|
oralmstothepoor; but cannotcommandthat
|
|
love and charity, withoutwhich thisexpense
|
|
```
|
|
## would profit me nothing. This gift ofGod
|
|
|
|
cannotbe purchased withmoney. Ifa man
|
|
should give all the substanceofhishousefor
|
|
love,itwould utterlybe contemned. I could
|
|
pine and macerate my body, and undergo
|
|
many hardships and troubles; but I cannot
|
|
|
|
|
|
(^68) TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## get all m}'corruptions starved, nor myatiec-
|
|
|
|
tionswhollyweanedfromearthlythings: there
|
|
|
|
## arestill some worldly desires lurkingin my
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
heart; and thosevanities that I haveshutout
|
|
ofthe doors,arealwaysgettinginbythewin-
|
|
```
|
|
## dows. Iammanytimesconvincedofm}^own
|
|
|
|
meanness, ofthe weakness ofmy body, and
|
|
|
|
## thefar greaterweakness ofmysoul; butthis
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
doth rather begetindignation and discontent,
|
|
```
|
|
## than true humilityin myspirit: andthoughI
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
should come to think meanly of myself, yet
|
|
Icannotendurethatothersshouldthinksotoo.
|
|
```
|
|
## Inaword, when I reflect on myhighest and
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
most specious attainments, I have reason to
|
|
suspect,that theyareallbuttheeffectsofna-
|
|
ture,theissuesofself-loveactingvmderseveral
|
|
disguises: andthisprincipleissopowerfuland
|
|
sodeeplyrootedinme,thatI can neverhope
|
|
```
|
|
## tobedeliveredfromthedominionofit. Imay
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
tossandturnasadooron thehinges; butcan
|
|
nevergetclearoff,orbequiteunhingedofself,
|
|
```
|
|
## which is still the centre of all my motions.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
Sothat all theadvantageIcandrawfromthe
|
|
discovery ofreligion,is but to see at a huge
|
|
```
|
|
## distance that felicitywhich I am not able to
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan, 69
|
|
|
|
## reach: like a man in a shipwreck, who dis-
|
|
|
|
cerns the land, and envies the happiness of
|
|
those who are there, but thinks itimpossible
|
|
forhimselftogetashore."
|
|
|
|
THE UNREASONABLENESS OF THESE FEARS.
|
|
|
|
## ^I^HESE, I say, or such like desponding
|
|
|
|
## thoutrhts, mav arise in the minds of
|
|
|
|
those persons w^ho begin to conceive some-
|
|
what more of the nature and excellency of
|
|
religion than before. .They have spied the
|
|
land, andseenthat itisexceedinggood; that
|
|
itflowethwith milkand honey; buttheyfind
|
|
thev have the children of iVnak to grapple
|
|
with; manypowerful lustsand corruptions to
|
|
overcome,andtheyfeartheyshall neverpre-
|
|
|
|
## vail against them. But whyshould we give
|
|
|
|
## way to such discouraging suggestions? why
|
|
|
|
shouldwe entertainsuch unreasonable fears,
|
|
which damp our spirits, and weaken our
|
|
hands, and augment the difficulties of our
|
|
|
|
## way? Let us encourage ourselves, my dear
|
|
|
|
friend, let us encourage ourselves with those
|
|
|
|
|
|
70 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
mightyaids we aretoexpectin this spiritual
|
|
warfare; forgreaterishe thatisfor us,than
|
|
all that can rise up against us: Theeternal
|
|
God is otir refuge^ and itnderneath are the
|
|
everlasting arms. Let 21 s be strong in the
|
|
Lord, and tn the-power ofhis might;for
|
|
he it is that shall treaddozvn our enemies.
|
|
God hatha tender regard unto the souls of
|
|
men,and is infinitelywillingtopromote their
|
|
```
|
|
## welfare. He hathcondescendedtoourweak-
|
|
|
|
ness,and declaredwithan oath,that he hath
|
|
no pleasure in ourdestruction. There is no
|
|
such thingas despite-or envy lodged in the
|
|
bosomofthateverblessedbeing,whosename
|
|
|
|
## and nature is love. He createdus atfirst in
|
|
|
|
a happy condition; and now, when we are
|
|
fallenfromit,hehathlaidhelpupononethat
|
|
is mightytosave,hath committed thecare of
|
|
oursoulstonomeanerperson thantheeternal
|
|
Sonofhis love. Itis hethat is theCaptain
|
|
of our salvation; and what enemies can be
|
|
toostrong forus,whenweare fighting under
|
|
his banner? Did not the Son of God come
|
|
downfromthebosomofhisFather,andpitch
|
|
his tabernacle amongstthe sons ofmen,that
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
/;/ the Soul ofAlan.. 71
|
|
```
|
|
he might recover and propagate the divine
|
|
life, and restore the image of God in their
|
|
souls? All the mighty works which he per-
|
|
formed; all the sad afflictionswhich he sus-
|
|
tained, had this for their scope and design;
|
|
for this didhe laborand toil; forthisdid he
|
|
bleed and die: I/at/ihe wroughtno deliver-
|
|
anceintheearthf Shallhenotseethetravail
|
|
ofhissoul? Certainlyitisimpossiblethatthis
|
|
greatcontrivanceofheavenshouldproveabor-
|
|
tive,thatsuchamightyundertakingshouldfail
|
|
andmiscarry. Ithath alreadybeen effectual
|
|
forthesalvationofmanythousands,whowere
|
|
once asfar from the kingdom ofheaven as
|
|
wecansupposeourselvestobe: andourHigh
|
|
Priestcontimiethforever^and isabletosave
|
|
them tothe 2itterniostthatcome unto Godby
|
|
|
|
## him. He is tender and compassionate; he
|
|
|
|
knoweth our infirmities, and had experience
|
|
of our temptations: A bruised reed will he
|
|
|
|
## not breaks and smoking fax zvill he not
|
|
|
|
qztench^tillhe sendforthjudgment untovic-
|
|
|
|
## tory. He hath sent out his Holy Spirit,
|
|
|
|
whosesweet,but powerfulbreathingsarestill
|
|
moving upanddo^vn intheworld,toquicken
|
|
|
|
|
|
72 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
and revive the souls of men, and awaken
|
|
them unto the sense and feeling of those di-
|
|
vine things for which theywere made: and
|
|
is readyto assist suchweak and languishing
|
|
creatures as we are, in our essays towards
|
|
holiness and felicity; andwhen once ithath
|
|
taken hold of a soul, and kindled in it the
|
|
smallest spark ofdivine love, it will be sure
|
|
to preserve and cherish, and bring it forth
|
|
into a flame, which many waters shall not
|
|
quench, neither shall the floods be able to
|
|
drownit. Wheneverthisdaybeginstodawn,
|
|
and theday-star toarisein theheartyitwill
|
|
easilydispelthepowersofdarkness,andmake
|
|
ignorance and folly, and allthe corrupt and
|
|
selfishaffectionsofmen,flee awayasfast be-
|
|
fore it as the shades ofnightwhen the sun
|
|
Cometh out of his chambers: for the -path
|
|
ofthe just is as the shining lights which
|
|
shineth more andmore tmto the-perfectday.
|
|
Theyshallgo onfrom stre^igth to strength,
|
|
tillevery one ofthemappear before Godin
|
|
Zion
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
.
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
Whyshouldwethinkitimpossible,thattrue
|
|
goodnessanduniversalloveshouldever com.e
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
m the SoulofMan. 73
|
|
|
|
toswayandprevailinour souls? Is notthis
|
|
theirprimitivestateandcondition; theirnative
|
|
andgenuineconstitutionastheycamefirstfrom
|
|
thehandsoftheirMaker? Sinandcorruption
|
|
arebutusurpers; and though they havelong
|
|
keptthepossession,y^\.froui thebeginning-it
|
|
was not so. That inordinate self-lovewhich
|
|
onewouldthinkwererootedinourverybeing,
|
|
andinterwovenwiththeconstitutionofourna-
|
|
ture,isneverthelessofforeignextraction, and
|
|
had no place at all in the state ofintegrity.
|
|
Wehavestill so much reason left as to con-
|
|
demn it. Our understandings are easily
|
|
convinced,thatweougrhtto bewhollvdevoted
|
|
|
|
## tohimfromwhomwehaveourbeing, and to
|
|
|
|
lovehiminfinitelymorethanourselves,whois
|
|
infinitelybetterthanwe; andour wills would
|
|
readilycomplywiththis,ifthey werenotdis-
|
|
orderedandput out oftune. x\nd is nothe
|
|
w4iomadeoursouls,abletorectify and mend
|
|
themagain? Shallwe notbeable,byhis as-
|
|
sistance,to vanquish and expel those violent
|
|
intruders,andturntoflighttheamnies ofthe
|
|
aliensf
|
|
|
|
## Nosoonershallwetakeuparmsinthisholy
|
|
|
|
|
|
74 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
war,butweshallhaveallthesaints on earth,
|
|
andalltheangelsin heaven engaged on our
|
|
party. Theholychurchthroughouttheworld
|
|
isdailyintercedingwithGodforthesuccessof
|
|
|
|
## allsuchendeavors. Anddoubtlessthoseheav-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
enlyhostsaboveare nearly concerned in the
|
|
interests ofreligion,and infinitelydesirous to
|
|
seethe divine life thriving and prevailing in
|
|
thisinferiorworld; and that the will ofGod
|
|
```
|
|
## maybedonebyuson earth, as itis done by
|
|
|
|
## themselvesinheaven. Andmaywe notthen
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
encourage ourselves, as the prophet did his
|
|
servant,whenheshowed him the horses and
|
|
chariotsoffire,Fearnot^fortheythatbewith
|
|
us,aremorethantheythatbeagainstns.
|
|
```
|
|
\VE MUSTDO WHAT WE CAN, AND DEPEND
|
|
|
|
## ONTHE DIVINE ASSISTANCE
|
|
|
|
\ WAYthenwith all perplexing fears and
|
|
|
|
## despondingthoughts. Toundertakevig-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
orously,andrelyconfidentlyonthe divine as-
|
|
sistance,ismorethanhalfthe conquest. Let
|
|
usarise,andbe doing, andthe Lordwillbe
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 75
|
|
|
|
withlis. Itistrue,religioninthesoulsofmen
|
|
is the immediate work ofGod; and all our
|
|
naturalendeavorscanneitherproduceitalone,
|
|
normeritthosesupernatural aids by which it
|
|
mustbewrought: theHolyGhost must come
|
|
uponus, and the power ofthe Highest must
|
|
overshadowus,before that holything can be
|
|
begotten,andChristbeformedinus. Butyet
|
|
wemustnotexpectthatthiswholeworkshould
|
|
bedone without any concurring endeavors of
|
|
ourown: wemustnotlieloiteringintheditch,
|
|
andwaittillOmnipotencepullusfromthence.
|
|
No,no: wemustbestirourselves,and actuate
|
|
thosepowerswhichwehavealreadyreceived:
|
|
w^emustputforth ourselves toour utmostca-
|
|
|
|
## pacities,andthenwemayhope thatourlabor
|
|
|
|
shallnotheinvainin the Lord. All the art
|
|
|
|
## andindustryofmancannot form the smallest
|
|
|
|
herb,ormakea stalk ofcorn to grow in the
|
|
field: itis the energy ofnature, and the in-
|
|
fluencesofheaven,whichproduce this effect;
|
|
it is God who causes thegrass togrow,and
|
|
herbfortheservice ofman: and yet nobody
|
|
willsay,thatthelaborsofthehusbandmanare
|
|
uselessorunnecessary. So likewise the hu-
|
|
|
|
|
|
76 The Ltfe ofGod
|
|
|
|
## mansoulisimmediatelycreatedbyGod; it is
|
|
|
|
hewhobothformethandenliveneththe child:
|
|
andyethehath appointedthemarriage-bed as
|
|
theordinarymeansforthepropagationofman-
|
|
kind. Thoughthere must intervene a stroke
|
|
ofOmnipotencetoeffectthismightychangein
|
|
oursouls,yetoughtwetodo what we can to
|
|
fitandprepareourselves. Forwemust break
|
|
upourfallowground,androotout the weeds,
|
|
andpullupthethorns,thatsowemaybemore
|
|
ready to receive the seeds ofgrace, and the
|
|
dew ofheaven. It is true, God hath been
|
|
foundofsomewho souijht him not; he hath
|
|
cast himselfintheirway,whowere quiteout
|
|
ofhis; he hath laid hold upon them, and
|
|
stoppedtheir courseof a sudden: for sowas
|
|
St.PaulconvertedinhisjourneytoDamascus.
|
|
ButcertainlythisisnotGod'sordinarymethod
|
|
of dealino^ with men. Though he hath not
|
|
tiedhimselfto means,yet he hath tied us to
|
|
theuseofthem; andwehavenevermorerea-
|
|
sontoexpectthedivineassistance, than when
|
|
wearedoino-our utmost endeavors. It shall
|
|
therefore be my next work, to show what
|
|
course we ought to take for attaining that
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 77
|
|
|
|
blessedtemperIhavehithertodescribed. But
|
|
|
|
## here,if,indeliveringmyownthoughts,Ishall
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
chanceto differfromwhat is or maybe said
|
|
byothersinthismatter, Iwouldnotbethought
|
|
tocontradictandopposethem,morethanphy-
|
|
siciansdo,when the}'prescribe several reme-
|
|
diesfor the same disease, which perhaps are
|
|
```
|
|
## allusefuland good. Everyone maypropose
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
the method he judges most proper and con-
|
|
venient; buthedoth nottherebypretend that
|
|
thecurecanneverbe effected, unless thatbe
|
|
exactlyobserved. Idoubtit hath occasioned
|
|
much unnecessary disquietude to some holy
|
|
persons,thattheyhavenotfoundsucharegular
|
|
and orderlytransactionintheir souls,asthey
|
|
haveseen describedinbooks: thattheyhave
|
|
notpassedthrough allthose steps and stages
|
|
ofconversion,whichsome(whoperhapshave
|
|
felttheminthemselves) havetooperemptorily
|
|
prescribed unto others. God hath several
|
|
ways ofdealingwith the souls ofmen: and
|
|
itsufficethiftheworkbeaccomplished,what-
|
|
ever the methods have been.
|
|
Again, though, in proposing directions, I
|
|
must follow that order w^hich the nature of
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
78 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
thingsshallleadto; yetIdonotmeanthatthe
|
|
samemethodshouldbesopunctuallyobserved
|
|
inthepractice,asifthelatterruleswerenever
|
|
tobeheeded,tillsomeconsiderable time have
|
|
beenspentinpractising theformer. The di-
|
|
rectionsIintendaremutuallyconduciveoneto
|
|
another; andarealltobe performed as occa-
|
|
sionshallserve,andwefindourselvesenabled
|
|
toperformthem.
|
|
|
|
## WE MUST SHUNALLMANNER OF SIN.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
"DUTnow,thatImaydetainyouno longer,
|
|
"^ ifwedesiretohaveoursouls mouldedto
|
|
```
|
|
thisholyframe,tobecomepartakersofthedi-
|
|
vine nature, and have Christ formed in our
|
|
hearts, we must seriously resolve, and care-
|
|
fullyendeavortoavoidandabandonallvicious
|
|
andsinful practices. Therecan be notreaty
|
|
ofpeace,tilloncewelaydowntheseweapons
|
|
ofrebellionwherewithwefightagainstHeaven:
|
|
nor can we expect to have our distempers
|
|
cured,ifwebedailyfeeding on poison. Ev-
|
|
erywilfulsingivesamortalwoundtothesoul.
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 79
|
|
|
|
andputsitatagreaterdistancefrom Godand
|
|
goodness: andwecanneverhopetohave our
|
|
hearts purified fromcorrupt affections,unless
|
|
we cleanse our hands from vicious actions.
|
|
Now,inthiscase,wecannotexcuse ourselves
|
|
bythe pretence ofimpossibility; for sure our
|
|
|
|
## outwardmanis some way in our power; we
|
|
|
|
## havesome command ofour feet, and hands,
|
|
|
|
andtongue,nay,andofourthoughtsandfan-
|
|
ciestoo; atleastsofarastodivertthem from
|
|
impureandsinfulobjects,andtoturnourmind
|
|
anotherway: andwe should find this power
|
|
andauthoritymuchstrengthenedandadvanced,
|
|
ifwe werecarefultomanageand exercise it.
|
|
In the meanwhile,Iacknowledgeourcorrup-
|
|
tions are so strong, and our temptations so
|
|
many,thatitwillrequireagreatdealofstead-
|
|
fastness and resolution, of watchfulness and
|
|
care,topreserveourselves,eveninthisdegree
|
|
ofinnocenceandpurity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
8o TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
WEMUST KNOWWHAT THINGS ARE SINFUL.
|
|
\ ND,first,letusinformourselveswell,what
|
|
those sins are from which we oughtto
|
|
```
|
|
## abstain. Andherewemustnottakeourmeas-
|
|
|
|
ures from the maxims ofthe world, or the
|
|
|
|
## practicesofthosewhomincharitywe account
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
goodmen. Mostpeoplehaveverylightappre-
|
|
hensionsofthesethings,and are not sensible
|
|
ofanyfault,unlessitbe gross and flagitious
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
andscarcereckon anyso great as thatwhich
|
|
theycallpreciseness: andthosewhoaremore
|
|
serious, do many times allow themselvestoo
|
|
greatlatitudeandfreedom. Alas! how much
|
|
prideandvanity,andpassionandhumor:how
|
|
muchweakness,folly,andsin, dotheveryday
|
|
showitselfintheirconverseand behavior. It
|
|
```
|
|
## maybe theyare humbledfor it, and striving
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
againstit, andaredailygainingsomeground
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
but then the progress is so small,and their
|
|
failingssomany,thatwehave need tochoose
|
|
an exacter pattern. Every one of us must
|
|
answerforhimself, andthepractices ofothers
|
|
will never warrant and secure us. It is the
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
171 the SoulofAlan. 8i
|
|
```
|
|
highest folly to regulate our actions by any
|
|
otherstandardthanthatbywhichtheymustbe
|
|
judged. If everwewouldcleanseourivay^it
|
|
mustbebytakingheedthereunto according-to
|
|
|
|
## the word ofGod, And thatword which is
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
quick and -powerful^ and sharper than any
|
|
two-edgedsword,piercingeventothedividing
|
|
asunder ofsoulandspirit, andofthejoints
|
|
andmarrow,andisadiscernerofthethoughts
|
|
andintentsoftheheart,willcertainlydiscover
|
|
many things to be sinful and heinous,which
|
|
passforveryinnocentintheeyesoftheworld:
|
|
letusthereforeimitatethePsalmist,whosaith,
|
|
Concerningtheworksofmen,bythewordsof
|
|
```
|
|
## thylips,Ihave kept myselffrom the paths
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ofthe destroyer. Let us acquaint ourselves
|
|
withthestrictand holylaws ofourreligion;
|
|
let us consider thediscourses of our blessed
|
|
Saviour, (especiallythatdivinesermon on the
|
|
mount,) andthewritings ofhis holyapostles,
|
|
```
|
|
## W'here aningenuousandunbiassedmind may
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
clearly discern those limits and bounds by
|
|
```
|
|
## whichouractionsoughtto be confined. And
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
thenletusneverlookuponanysinaslightand
|
|
inconsiderable; butbefullypersuadedthatthe
|
|
6
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
82 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
smallest is infinitelyheinous in the sight of
|
|
God,andprejudicialtothe soulsofmen; and
|
|
that, ifwe had a right sense ofthings,we
|
|
should beasdeeplyaffectedwith the least ir-
|
|
regularities, as nowwe are with the highest
|
|
crimes.
|
|
|
|
## WE MUSTRESIST THE TEMPTATIONS OFSIN,
|
|
|
|
BYCONSIDERING THE EVILS THEY WILL
|
|
|
|
## DRAW ON US.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
13 UT now, amongst those thingswhichwe
|
|
discover tobe sinful,therewillbesome,
|
|
untowhich,throughthedisposition ofour na-
|
|
ture, or long custom, or the endearments of
|
|
pleasure,weare so muchwedded,that itwill
|
|
be likecutting offthe right hand,or pulling
|
|
outtherighteye,to abandonthem. Butmust
|
|
wethereforesitdownandwait till all difficul-
|
|
ties areover,and every temptation be gone?
|
|
Thisweretoimitatethefool in the poet, who
|
|
stoodthewholedayattheriverside,tillallthe
|
|
watersshould run by. Wemust notindulge
|
|
ourinclinations, as we do little children, till
|
|
theygrowwearyofthethingtheyareunwill-
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 83
|
|
|
|
ingtoletgo; wemustnot continue our sinful
|
|
practices,inhopes that the divine grace will
|
|
one day overpower our spirits, andmake us
|
|
hatethemfortheirowndeformity.
|
|
Letussupposetheworst,thatweareutterly
|
|
destitute of any supernatural principle, and
|
|
wantthattastebywhichweshoulddiscernand
|
|
abhorperversethings: yet sure we arecapa-
|
|
|
|
## ble ofsome considerationswhich may be of
|
|
|
|
forcetopersuadeus tothis reformationofour
|
|
lives. Ifthe inward deformity and heinous
|
|
natureofsincannotaffectus,atleastwe may
|
|
befrightedbythosedreadfulconsequencesthat
|
|
attend it: that same selfish principle which
|
|
pushethus forward unto thepursuit ofsinful
|
|
pleasures,willmakeusloathtobuythematthe
|
|
|
|
## rateofeverlastingmisery. Thuswe mayen-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
counter self-love with its own weapons, and
|
|
employ one natural inclination for repressing
|
|
theexorbitancesofanother. Letus therefore
|
|
accustomourselvesto consider seriously,what
|
|
afearfulthingitmustneedsbe to irritate and
|
|
```
|
|
## offendthatinfinite Being, on whom we hang
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
anddependeverymoment; who needs but to
|
|
withdrawhismerciestomakeus miserable,or
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
84 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
hisassistancetomakeusnothing. Letusfre-
|
|
quenth' remember the shortness and uncer-
|
|
taintyofourlives,andhowthat,afterwehave
|
|
takenafewturnsmorein theworld,and con-
|
|
verseda little longer amongst men, we must
|
|
allgodownintothedarkandsilentgrave,and
|
|
canynothing alongwithus but anguish and
|
|
regretforallour sinful enjoyments; and then
|
|
thinkwhathorrormust needs seize the guilty
|
|
soul,tofinditselfnaked and all alone before
|
|
thesevereandimpartialjudgeoftheworld,to
|
|
renderanexactaccount, not onlyofits more
|
|
importantandconsiderabletransactions,butof
|
|
everywordthat the tongue hath uttered, and
|
|
theswittestandmost secretthous^htthat ever
|
|
passedthroughthemind. Letussometimesrep-
|
|
resentuntoourselvestheterrors ofthatdread-
|
|
fulday,whenthefoundationsoftheearthshall
|
|
beshaken,and the heavens shall pass away
|
|
withagreatnoise,andtheelementsshallmelt
|
|
withferventheat,andthepresentframeofna-
|
|
turebe dissolved,and our eyes shall see the
|
|
blessedJesus (who came once into the world
|
|
inallhumilitytovisit us, to purchase pardon
|
|
for us, and beseech us to acceptof it) now
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan, 85
|
|
|
|
appearing in the majesty of his glory, and
|
|
descendingfromheaveninflamingfire,totake
|
|
vengeance on those that have despised his
|
|
mercy,andpersistedinrebeUionagainst him:
|
|
when all thehidden things ofdarkness shall
|
|
be broughtto light, and the counsels of the
|
|
heart shall be made manifest: when those
|
|
secret impurities and subtle frauds whereof
|
|
the world didnever suspect us, shall be ex-
|
|
posedandlaidopentopublicview,and manv
|
|
thousand actionsw^hich we never dreamed to
|
|
be sinful, or else had altogether forgotten,
|
|
shall be charged home to our consciences,
|
|
withsuchevident convictionsofguilt,thatwe
|
|
shallneitherbeabletodenynorexcusethem.
|
|
Then shall the angelsin heaven,and allthe
|
|
saints that ever lived on the earth, approve
|
|
that dreadful sentence which shall be passed
|
|
on wicked men; and those who perhaps did
|
|
love and esteem them when theylived inthe
|
|
world, shalllook upon them withindignation
|
|
and abhorrence,and never make one request
|
|
for their deliverance. Let us consider the
|
|
future punishment of evil doers, shadowed
|
|
forth in scripture by metaphors taken from
|
|
|
|
|
|
^6 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
thosethings that aremostterrible and griev-
|
|
ous inthe world, andyet all do not suffice
|
|
to convey unto our minds any full appre-
|
|
hensions of them. When we have joined
|
|
together the importance of all these expres-
|
|
sions, and added unto them whatever our
|
|
fancy can conceive of misery and torment,
|
|
we must still remember, that all this comes
|
|
infinitely short ofthe truth and realityofthe
|
|
thincj.
|
|
It istrue, thisisasad and melancholysub-
|
|
ject; thereis anguish and horrorin the con-
|
|
sideration ofit;butsure itmustbe infinitely
|
|
moredreadfultoendureit: and suchthoughts
|
|
```
|
|
## asthese maybeveryuseful tofrightus from
|
|
|
|
the courses thatwould lead us thither; how
|
|
|
|
## fond soeverwemaybeofsinfulpleasures,the
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
fear ofhellwouldmake us abstain: ourmost
|
|
forwardinclinationswillstartleandgiveback,
|
|
whenpressedwiththatquestionintheprophet.
|
|
Who among us can dzvcll with everlasting
|
|
hitrnings?
|
|
```
|
|
## To this vervpurpose itis,that the terrors
|
|
|
|
ofanotherworld aresofrequenth^represented
|
|
in holv writ, and that in such terms as are
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoldojMan. 87
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
most properto affect and influence a carnal
|
|
mind: these fears can never suffice to make
|
|
```
|
|
## anypersontrulygood,but certainlytheymay
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
restrain us from much evil, and have often
|
|
made way for more ingenuous and kindly
|
|
impressions.
|
|
```
|
|
## WEMUST KEEP A CONSTANT WATCH OVER
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
OURSELVES.
|
|
```
|
|
"DUT it will not suffice to consider these
|
|
thingsonceandagain,nortoformsome
|
|
resolutions ofabandoning oursins,unlesswe
|
|
maintainaconstantguard, andbe continually
|
|
watchingagainst them. Sometimesthemind
|
|
is awakened to see the dismal consequences
|
|
ofavicious life,and straightwe are resolved
|
|
to reform: but, alas! it presently falleth
|
|
asleep, and we lose that prospect which we
|
|
had ofthings, and then temptations take the
|
|
advantage; theysolicitand importuneuscon-
|
|
tinually, and so do frequently engage our
|
|
consentbeforewe are aware. It is the folly
|
|
and ruinofmostpeople toliveat adventure,
|
|
|
|
|
|
TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
and take part in every thing that comes in
|
|
theirway, seldom consideringwhat theyare
|
|
about to sayor do. Ifwe would have our
|
|
resolutions take effect, we must take heed
|
|
unto our ways, and set a watch before the
|
|
door of our lips, and examine the motions
|
|
thatariseinourhearts,andcausethemtotell
|
|
us whence they come, and whither theygo;
|
|
whether it be pride or passion, or any cor-
|
|
ruptandvicious humor, thatprompteth us to
|
|
anvdesign; andwhetherGodwillbeoffended,
|
|
|
|
## or anybody harmed by it. And ifwe have
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
no time for long reasonings, let us at least
|
|
turnoureyestowardGod, andplaceourselves
|
|
inhis presence,toask hisleave andapproba-
|
|
tionforwhatwedo: letusconsiderourselves
|
|
under the all-seeing eye ofthat divineMaj-
|
|
estv, as in the midstof an infinite globe of
|
|
light,whichcompasseth us about bothbehind
|
|
and before, and pierceth to the innermost
|
|
cornersofour soul. The sense andremem-
|
|
brance of the divine presence is the most
|
|
ready and effectual means, both to discover
|
|
whatis unlawful, and to restrainus from it.
|
|
There are some things a person couldmake
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
111 the SoldofMan. 89
|
|
|
|
shift to palliate or defend, and yet he dares
|
|
notlookalmightyGodin theface,andadven-
|
|
ture upon them. If we look unto him, we;
|
|
shall be lightened; ifwe sethim always be-
|
|
fo7'eus, he willguide us byhis eye,andin-
|
|
struct us in the zvay wherein we ought to
|
|
walk.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
^VE MUST OFTENEXAMINE OUR ACTIONS.
|
|
^I^HIS care and watchfulness over our ac-
|
|
tions,mustbesecondedbyfrequent and
|
|
serious reflections upon them, not only that
|
|
```
|
|
## wemay obtain the divine mercy andpardon
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
for our sins, by an humble and sorrowful
|
|
acknowledgment of them; but also that we
|
|
```
|
|
## mayre-enforceandstrengthenourresolutions,
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
and learn to decline or resist the temptations
|
|
bywhichwe havebeenformerlyfoiled. Itis
|
|
an adviceworthyofaChristian,thoughitdid
|
|
first dropfrom a heathen pen, "That before
|
|
we betake ourselves to rest, we renew and
|
|
examine all thepassages ofthe day,thatwe
|
|
```
|
|
## mavhavethe comfort ofwhat we have done
|
|
|
|
|
|
90 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## aright,and mayredresswhatwefindto have
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
been amiss,and make the shipwrecks ofone
|
|
day be as marks to direct our course in an-
|
|
```
|
|
## other." This may be called thevery art of
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
virtuous living,and wouldcontributew^onder-
|
|
fullytoadvanceourreformation,andpreserve
|
|
ourinnocency. But,withal,wemustnotfor-
|
|
gettoimplorethedivineassistance,especially
|
|
againstthosesinsthatdomosteasilybesetus:
|
|
andthoughitbe supposedthatourhearts are
|
|
notyetmouldedintothatspiritualframewhich
|
|
should render our devotions acceptable, yet,
|
|
methinks, such considerations as have been
|
|
```
|
|
## proposed to deter usfrom sin, may also stir
|
|
|
|
us upto some natural seriousness,and make
|
|
our prayers against it as earnest,at least,as
|
|
theyarewontto be against other calamities:
|
|
andIdoubtnotbutGod,w^hoheareththecry
|
|
ofthe ravens,will have some regardeven to
|
|
such petitions as proceed from those natural
|
|
passionswhich himselfhath implantedin us.
|
|
Besides, that those prayers against sin, wdll
|
|
be powerful engagements on ourselvesto ex-
|
|
citeustowatchfulnessandcare; andcommon
|
|
ingenuitywillmakeusashamedtorelapseinto
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the Sotd ofMan. 91
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
thosefaults,whichwehavelatelybewailedbe-
|
|
fore God,and againstw^hichwe have begged
|
|
hisassistance.
|
|
```
|
|
## ITIS FITTO RESTRAINOURSELVES IN MANY
|
|
|
|
## LAWFULTHINGS.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
'T^HUS are we to make the firstessay for
|
|
recoveringthedivinelife,byrestraining
|
|
the natural inclinations, that they break not
|
|
outinto sinful practices:butnowImust add,
|
|
that Christian prudence will teach us to ab-
|
|
stain from gratifications that are not simply
|
|
```
|
|
## unlawful, and that notonlythat we may se-
|
|
|
|
cure our innocence, w^hich would be in con-
|
|
tinual hazard ifwe should strain our liberty
|
|
to the utmostpoint; but also,that herebywe
|
|
|
|
## may weaken theforces of nature, and teach
|
|
|
|
our appetitestoobe}'. We mustdowith our-
|
|
selves asprudent parentswiththeirchildren,
|
|
whocross theirw^ills in manylittleindifferent
|
|
things,tomakethem manageableandsubmis-
|
|
|
|
## sivein moreconsiderableinstances. Hewho
|
|
|
|
would mortify the pride and vanity of his
|
|
|
|
|
|
92 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
spirit, should stop his ears to the most de-
|
|
servedpraises: andsometimesforbearhisjust
|
|
vindicationfromthecensuresandaspersionsof
|
|
others,especiallyiftheyreflectonlyupon his
|
|
prudence and conduct, and noton his ^•irtue
|
|
```
|
|
## and innocence. He who would check a re-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
vengeful humor,would dowell to deny him-
|
|
selfthesatisfactionofrepresentinguntoothers
|
|
the injuries which he hath sustained; and if
|
|
we would so take heed to ourways,thatwe
|
|
sin not with our tongue, we must accustom
|
|
ourselves much to solitude and silence, and
|
|
sometimes,withthePsalmist,Holdour-peace
|
|
```
|
|
## evenfromgood,tilloncewehavegottensome
|
|
|
|
commandoverthat unrulymember. Thus,I
|
|
|
|
## sav,wemaybind upour natural inclinations,
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
andmakeourappetitesmoremoderateintheir
|
|
cravings,bvaccustomingthemtofrequent re-
|
|
fusals: but it is not enough to have them
|
|
under violenceand restraint.
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the Soul ofMan. 93
|
|
|
|
## WEMUSTSTRIVETOPUTOURSELVES OUTOF
|
|
|
|
LOVEWITH THEWORLD.
|
|
|
|
/^URnextessaymustbetoweanouratlec-
|
|
tions from created things, and all the
|
|
delights and entertainments ofthe lowerlife,
|
|
whichsinkanddepress the soulsofmen,and
|
|
retardtheirmotionstowardsGodandheaven
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
andthiswe must dobypossessingourminds
|
|
with a deep persuasion of the vanity and
|
|
emptinessofworldlyenjo3'ments. Thisis an
|
|
ordinary theme, and everybody can make
|
|
declamations upon it: but.alasI how fewun-
|
|
derstand and believe what they say! These
|
|
notions float in our brains, and come sliding
|
|
offourtongues,butwe haveno deepimpres-
|
|
sion of them on our spirits,we feel not the
|
|
truthwhich we pretend tobelieve. We can
|
|
tell that all the glory and splendor, all the
|
|
pleasures and enjoyments of the world, are
|
|
vanity and nothing; and yet these nothings
|
|
takeup allourthoughts, and engross all our
|
|
affections; theystifle thebetterinclinationsof
|
|
oursoul,and inveigleusintomanyasin. It
|
|
|
|
## may be, in a sobermood, we givethem the
|
|
|
|
|
|
94 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
slight, and resolve to be no longer deluded
|
|
with them; butthesethoughts seldomoutlive
|
|
the next temptation; the vanities which we
|
|
have shutout atthedoorgetin atapostern:
|
|
there are still some pretensions, some hopes
|
|
that flatter us: and afterwe have been frus-
|
|
trated athousand times,we must be continu-
|
|
ally repeating the experiment: the least dif-
|
|
ference ofcircumstances isenough to delude
|
|
.us, and make us expect that satisfaction in
|
|
one thingwhichw^e havemissed in another:
|
|
but could we once get clearly off, and come
|
|
to a real and serious contempt of worldly
|
|
things,thiswereaveryconsiderable advance-
|
|
|
|
## ment in ourway. The soul ofman is of a
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
vigorousand active nature, and hath in it a
|
|
raging and inextinguishable thirst, an imma-
|
|
terial kind offire, always catching at some
|
|
object or other, in conjunction wherewith it
|
|
thinks to be happy; and were it once rent
|
|
fromtheworld,and allthebewitching enjoy-
|
|
mentsunder the sun,itwould quicklysearch
|
|
aftersome higher andmore excellent object,
|
|
tosatisfyitsardent and importunatecravings
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
and being no longer dazzled with glittering
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
/;/ the SoulofMan. 95
|
|
|
|
vanities, would fix on that supreme and all-
|
|
sufficientGood,where itwould discoversuch
|
|
beauty and sweetness, as would charm and
|
|
overpower all its affections. Theloveofthe
|
|
world,andtheloveofGod,arelikethescales
|
|
ofabalance: astheonefalleth,theotherdoth
|
|
rise: when our natural inclinations prosper,
|
|
andthecreatureisexaltedinoursoul,religion
|
|
isfaint,anddoth languish: but when earthly
|
|
objectswitherawayandlosetheirbeauty,and
|
|
thesoul beginstocoolandflaginitsprosecu-
|
|
tionofthem,thentheseedsofgracetakeroot,
|
|
andthe divinelifebeginstoflourish and pre-
|
|
vail. It doth, therefore, nearh' concern us,
|
|
to convince ourselves of the emptiness and
|
|
vanityofcreature-enjoyments, andreasonour
|
|
hearts outoflovewith them: letus seriously
|
|
consider allthat ourreason, orourfaith, our
|
|
own experience,orthe observation ofothers,
|
|
can suggest to thiseffect; letus ponder the
|
|
matteroverandover,andfix ourthoughtson
|
|
thistruth,till we become reallypersuaded of
|
|
it. Amidst all ourpursuits and designs, let
|
|
usstopandaskourselves,Forw^hatendis all
|
|
this? at what do I aim? can the gross and
|
|
|
|
|
|
96 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
muddypleasuresofsense,or a heapofwhite
|
|
and yellowearth,ortheesteem and affection
|
|
ofsillycreatureslikem3'self, satisfyarational
|
|
and immortal soul? Have I not tried these
|
|
things already? will they have a higher rel-
|
|
|
|
## ish,andyieldmemorecontentmentto-morrovv^
|
|
|
|
thanyesterday,orthenextyearthantheydid
|
|
|
|
## thelast? Theremaybesome littledifference
|
|
|
|
## between thatwhich I am now pursuing, and
|
|
|
|
## thatwhich I enjoyed before; but sure my
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
former enjoyments did show as pleasant,and
|
|
promisedasfair,before Iattained them: like
|
|
the rainbow, they lookedvery glorious at a
|
|
distance;butwhenI approached,Ifoundnoth-
|
|
```
|
|
## ingbutemptinessandvapor. Ohwhatapoor
|
|
|
|
## thingwouldthelifeofmanbe,ifitwerecapa-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
bleofnohigherenjoymentsI
|
|
I cannotinsist on this subject: and there
|
|
```
|
|
## is the less need,whenI remembertowhomI
|
|
|
|
## am writing. Yes, my dear friend,you have
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
hadas great experienceofthe emptinessand
|
|
vanityofhumanthings,andhaveatpresentas
|
|
fewworldlyengagementsas anythatIknow.
|
|
I have sometimes reflected on thosepassages
|
|
ofyourlifewherewith youhavebeenpleased
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
tn the Soulof 3 fail. 97
|
|
```
|
|
to acquaint me; and methinks, through all,
|
|
I candiscernadesignofthedivineProvidence
|
|
towean your affections fromeverythinghere
|
|
below. The trials 3'ou have had of those
|
|
thingswhichtheworlddoatsupon,havetaught
|
|
you to despisethem; andyouhavefoundby
|
|
experience,thatneithertheendowmentsofna-
|
|
ture, northe advantages offortune, are suffi-
|
|
cient for happiness; that every rose hath its
|
|
|
|
## thorn, andtheremaybeawormatthe rootof
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
thefairestgourd; somesecretandundiscerned
|
|
```
|
|
## grief,which may make a person deserve the
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
pityofthosewho perhapsdo admireorenvy
|
|
their supposedfelicity. If any earthly com-
|
|
forts have gottoomuchofyourheart,Ithink
|
|
theyhavebeenyourrelationsandfriends; and
|
|
the dearest of these are removed out ofthe
|
|
world, so that you must raise yourmind to-
|
|
wards heaven, when you would think upon
|
|
them. Thus God hath provided that your
|
|
```
|
|
## heart maybe loosedfromtheworld,and that
|
|
|
|
## he maynot have any rival in your affection,
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
which I have always observedtobesolarge
|
|
and unbounded, so noble and disinterested,
|
|
that 110 inferiorobjectcananswerordeserveit.
|
|
7
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
98 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
## WEMUSTDOTHOSEOUTWARDACTIONSTHAT
|
|
|
|
ARECOMMANDED.
|
|
"^^7HEN we have got our corruptions re-
|
|
strained, andournatural appetites and
|
|
inclinations towards worldly things in some
|
|
measuresubdued,wemustproceedtosuchex-
|
|
ercisesas havea moreimmediatetendencyto
|
|
excite and awaken the divine life: and,first,
|
|
letusendeavorconscientiouslytoperformthose
|
|
dutieswhichreligiondothrequire,andwhere-
|
|
untoitwouldinclineus,ifitdidprevailinour
|
|
souls. Ifwecannotgetourinwarddisposition
|
|
presentlychanged,letusstudyatleasttoregu-
|
|
lateouroutwarddeportment: ifourheartsbe
|
|
not vetinflamedwithdivinelove,letus,how-
|
|
ever,own ourallegiance tothat infinite Maj-
|
|
esty,byattending his service,andlisteningto
|
|
hisword,byspeakingreverentlyofhisname,
|
|
andpraisinghisgoodness,andexhortingothers
|
|
to serve andobeyhim. Ifwewantthatchar-
|
|
ity,andthosebowelsofcompassionwhichwe
|
|
oughttohavetowardsourneighbors,yetmust
|
|
wenotomitanyoccasionofdoingthemgood:
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
in the SotilofAlan. 99
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
ifourhearts be haughtyand proud,we must
|
|
nevertheless study a modest and humble de-
|
|
portment. Theseexternalperformancesareof
|
|
```
|
|
## littlevalueinthemselves,yettheymayhelpus
|
|
|
|
forwardtobetterthings. Theapostleindeed
|
|
tellsus,thatbodilyexercisefrojitethlittle; but
|
|
heseemsnottoaffirmthatitisaltogetheruse-
|
|
less: itis always good tobe doing what we
|
|
can,forthenGodiswonttopityourweakness,
|
|
andassistourfeebleendeavors; andwhentrue
|
|
charityand humility,and other graces ofthe
|
|
divineSpirit, cometo take root in our souls,
|
|
they will exert themselves more freely, and
|
|
with less difficulty, if we have before been
|
|
accustomedtoexpresstheminouroutwardcon-
|
|
versations. Nor needwe fear theimputation
|
|
ofhypocrisy,thoughouractionsdothussome-
|
|
whatoutrunouraffections,seeingtheydostill
|
|
proceed from a sense of our duty; and our
|
|
designis nottoappearbetterthanweare,but
|
|
|
|
## thatwemayreallybecomeso.
|
|
|
|
793478A
|
|
|
|
|
|
lOO TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## WE MUST ENDEAVOR TO FORMINTERNAL
|
|
|
|
ACTS OFDEVOTION, CHARITY, &c.
|
|
T3UTasinwardactshaveamoreimmediate
|
|
influence on the soul, to mould it to a
|
|
righttemperandframe,sooughtwetobemost
|
|
frequent and sedulousintheexerciseofthem.
|
|
Letus be often lifting up our hearts toward
|
|
God; andifwe do notsaythatwe love him
|
|
above all things,let us at least acknowledge
|
|
thatitis our duty, and wouldbe our happi-
|
|
nessso todo; letuslamentthedishonordone
|
|
unto himby foolish and sinful men, and ap-
|
|
plaudthepraisesandadorationsthataregiven
|
|
him by that blessed and glorious company
|
|
above: letus resign and yield ourselves up
|
|
unto him a thousandtimes,tobegovernedby
|
|
|
|
## hislaws,anddisposedofathispleasure. And
|
|
|
|
though our stubborn hearts shouldstartback
|
|
and refuse; yet let us tell him we are con-
|
|
vincedthat hiswillis alwaysjustand good
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
andthereforedesirehimtodowithuswhatso-
|
|
```
|
|
## everhepleaseth,whetherwewillornot. And
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
so,for begettinginusanuniversalcharityto-
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
/;/ the SotilofjMan. loi
|
|
```
|
|
wardsmen,we mustbe frequentlyputtingup
|
|
wishesfortheirhappiness,andblessingevery
|
|
person thatwe see; and whenwe havedone
|
|
anythingfor the relief of the miserable,we
|
|
|
|
## may second itwith earnest desires that God
|
|
|
|
wouldtakecareofthem,anddeliverthemout
|
|
ofalltheirdistresses.
|
|
Thusshouldweexerciseourselvesuntogod-
|
|
|
|
## liness. Andwhenweareemployingthepow-
|
|
|
|
ers thatwe have,the SpiritofGodiswontto
|
|
strike in, and elevate these acts of our soul
|
|
be3'ondthe pitch ofnature, and give them a
|
|
divineimpression: and,afterthefrequentreit-
|
|
eration ofthese,we shall find ourselvesmore
|
|
inclinedunto them,theyflowing with greater
|
|
freedom and ease.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
CONSIDERATION A GREAT INSTRUMENT OF
|
|
RELIGION.
|
|
```
|
|
T SHALL mention buttwo othermeans for
|
|
begetting that holy and divine temper of
|
|
spiritwhichis the subject ofthe presentdis-
|
|
|
|
## course. Andthe firstis, a deep and serious
|
|
|
|
|
|
I02 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
considerationofthetruthsofourreHgion, and
|
|
that both astothecertaintyandimportanceof
|
|
them. Theassentwhichisordinarilygivento
|
|
divine truths,isveryfaint and languid; very
|
|
weak and ineffectual; flowing only from a
|
|
blindinclinationtofollowthatreligionwhichis
|
|
in fashion, or alazyindifference anduncon-
|
|
```
|
|
## cernednesswhetherthingsbesoornot. Men
|
|
|
|
are unwilling to quarrel with the religion of
|
|
theircountry,and sincealltheirneighborsare
|
|
Christians,the}^are content tobe so too; but
|
|
they areseldom atthe pains to consider the
|
|
evidencesofthosetruths,ortopondertheim-
|
|
portance andtendencyofthem; andthenceit
|
|
is that they have so little influence on their
|
|
affections and practice. Thosespiritless and
|
|
paralytic thoughts (as one doth rightly term
|
|
them) are notabletomove thewillanddirect
|
|
thehand: wemustthereforeendeavortowork
|
|
upourminds toa seriousbeliefandfull per-
|
|
suasionofdivinetruths,untoasenseandfeel-
|
|
ing of spiritual things. Our thoughts must
|
|
dwelluponthem,tillwearebothconvincedof
|
|
them,and deeplyaffectedwith them. Letus
|
|
urge forward ourspirits,and make themap-
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
in the Soul ofAlan. 103
|
|
```
|
|
proachtheinvisibleworld; and fixourminds
|
|
uponimmaterialthings,tillweclearlyperceive
|
|
thattheseareno dreams; nay,thatallthings
|
|
|
|
## aredreamsandshadowsbesidesthem. When
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
we look about us and behold the beautyand
|
|
magnificence of this goodly frame, the order
|
|
and harmony of the whole creation, let our
|
|
thoughtsfrom thence take theirflighttowards
|
|
that omnipotent wisdom and goodness which
|
|
didatfirstproduce,anddothstillestablishand
|
|
```
|
|
## upholdthe same. Whenwereflectuponour-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
selves,letus consider thatwe are nota mere
|
|
pieceoforganizedmatter; a curiousandwell
|
|
contrived engine; that there is more in us
|
|
thanfleshandbloodandbones; evena divine
|
|
spark, capable to know and love and enjoy
|
|
ourMaker; andthoughitbenowexceedingly
|
|
cloggedwithits dulland lumpish companion,
|
|
yetere longitshallbedelivered,andcansub-
|
|
sistwithout the body, aswell as that can do
|
|
withoutthe clotheswhichwe throwoft'atour
|
|
pleasure. Letus oftenwithdrawourthoughts
|
|
fromthisearth,thissceneofmisery,folly,and
|
|
sin,andraisethemtowardsthatmorevastand
|
|
glorious world, whose innocent and blessed
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
I04 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
inhabitants solace themselves eternallyin the
|
|
divinepresence,andknownootherpassionbut
|
|
anunmixedjoy,andanunbounded love: and
|
|
then consider how the blessed Son of God
|
|
came down tothis lowerworldtolive amono-o
|
|
us,and dieforus,thathemight bringustoa
|
|
portionofthesamefelicity; andthinkhowhe
|
|
hath overcome the sharpness of death, and
|
|
openedthekingdomofheaventoallbelievers,
|
|
and is nowset downon therighthandofthe
|
|
Majestyonhigh; andyetisnotthelessmind-
|
|
ful ofus,but receiveth ourprayers,and pre-
|
|
senteth them unto his Father; and is daily
|
|
visiting his church with the influences ofhis
|
|
Spirit,asthesunreachethuswithhisbeams.
|
|
|
|
## TO BEGETDIVINE LOVE,WEMUSTCONSIDER
|
|
|
|
THEEXCELLENCYOFTHEDIVINENATURE.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
'HPHE serious andfrequent consideration of
|
|
these,andsuchotherdivinetruths,isthe
|
|
mostproper methodto begetthat livelyfaith
|
|
whichis the foundationofreligion,thespring
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 10 =
|
|
|
|
## and root ofthe divine life. Let me further
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
suggestsomeparticular subjectsofmeditation
|
|
forproducingtheseveralbranchesofit. And,
|
|
first,toinflameoursoulswiththeloveofGod,
|
|
letus consider the excellency of his nature,
|
|
and hislove andkindnesstowards us. It is
|
|
littleweknowofthedivineperfection,andyet
|
|
```
|
|
## that litde may suffice to fill our souls with
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
admirationandlove; toravishouraffectionsas
|
|
well as to raiseour wonder: for we arenot
|
|
merelycreatures ofsense, that we should be
|
|
incapableofanyotheraffectionbutthatwhich
|
|
entereth by the eyes. The character of any
|
|
```
|
|
## excellentperson whom we have neverseen,
|
|
|
|
willmanytimes engage ourhearts,andmake
|
|
|
|
## ushugelyconcernedinallhisinterests. And
|
|
|
|
whatisit,Ipra}^you,thatengagesussomuch
|
|
|
|
## tothose with whom we converse? I cannot
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
thinkthatitismerelythecoloroftheirface,or
|
|
their comely proportions; forthenwx should
|
|
fallinlovewithstatues andpictures andflow-
|
|
```
|
|
## ers. These outward accomplishments maya
|
|
|
|
littledelight the eye,butwould neverbeable
|
|
toprevailsomuchontheheart,iftheydidnot
|
|
representsomevitalperfecdon. Weeithersee
|
|
|
|
|
|
io6 TheLifeofGod
|
|
|
|
orapprehendsomegreatnessofmind,orvigor
|
|
of spirit, or sweetness of disposition; some
|
|
sprightliness, or wisdom, or goodness, which
|
|
charmourspirit,andcommandom*love. Now
|
|
these perfections are notobvioustothe sight,
|
|
the eyescan onlydiscernthesignsandeffects
|
|
ofthem; and if itbe the understandingthat
|
|
directsthe affection,andvital perfectionspre-
|
|
vail with it, certainly the excellencies of the
|
|
divine nature (the traces whereof we cannot
|
|
but discoverin everythingwe behold)would
|
|
notfailtoengageourhearts,ifwedidseriously
|
|
viewand regardthem. Shallwe notbe inli-
|
|
nitel}'moretransportedwiththatalmightywis-
|
|
domandgoodnesswhichfillstheuniverse,and
|
|
displaysitselfinallthepartsofcreation,which
|
|
establisheth the frame ofnature, and turneth
|
|
themightywheels ofprovidence,andkeepeth
|
|
theworldfromdisorderandruin,thanwiththe
|
|
faint rays ofthe same perfectionswhich we
|
|
|
|
## meetwith in ourfellow-creatures? Shallwe
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
doatonthe scatteredpiecesofarudeandim-
|
|
perfectpicture,and neverbeaffectedwiththe
|
|
originalbeauty? Thiswereanunaccountable
|
|
stupidity and blindness. Whatever we find
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
in the SoitlofAlan. 107
|
|
```
|
|
lovelyin a friend,or in a saint,oughtnotto
|
|
engross, but to elevate our affection. We
|
|
shouldconcludewithourselves,thatiftherebe
|
|
so much sweetnessin a drop, there mustbe
|
|
infinitelymore in the fountain; iftherebe so
|
|
muchsplendorinaray,whatmustthesunbe
|
|
initsglory?
|
|
Nor can we pretend the remoteness ofthe
|
|
object,as ifGodwere attoogreat a distance
|
|
for our converse or ourlove: He isnotfar
|
|
fromeveryoneofus;forinhimwelive^and
|
|
move,andhave ourbeing. Wecannotopen
|
|
oureyes,butwemustbeholdsomefootstepsof
|
|
his glory; and we cannot turn them toward
|
|
him,butweshallbesuretofindhisintentupon
|
|
us; waiting,asitwere,tocatch a look,ready
|
|
to entertain the most intimate fellowship and
|
|
communion with us. Let us therefore en-
|
|
deavortoraiseourmindstothe clearestcon-
|
|
ceptionsofthedivinenature. Letusconsider
|
|
allthat hisworksdodeclare,orhisworddoth
|
|
discoverofhim untous; andletusespecially
|
|
contemplatethatvisible representationof him
|
|
whichwasmadeinourownnaturebyhisSon,
|
|
whowasthebrightnessofhisglory,andtheex-
|
|
|
|
|
|
io8 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
fress imageoj"hisperson; andwhoappeared
|
|
in theworld to discoveratoncewhatGodis,
|
|
and whatw^e oughtto be. Letus represent
|
|
himunto ourminds asw^e findhimdescribed
|
|
in thegospel; and therewe shallbehold the
|
|
perfections of thedivine nature, though cov-
|
|
ered with the veil ofhuman infirmities; and
|
|
whenw^ehaveframeduntoourselvestheclear-
|
|
est notion thatwe can ofa Being, infinite in
|
|
powder, in wisdom, and goodness; the author
|
|
and fountain of all perfections, letus fix the
|
|
|
|
## eyesof our soul upon it, that our eyes may
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
affectourheart,andwhilewe aremusing,the
|
|
firew'illburn.
|
|
```
|
|
WE SHOULD MEDITATEON GOD'S GOODNESS
|
|
|
|
## AND LOVE.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
"PSPECIALLY,ifhereuntoweaddthecon-
|
|
sideration ofGod's favor and good-will
|
|
towards us; nothing is more powerfulto en-
|
|
gage our affection, than to find thatwe are
|
|
beloved. Expressions ofkindnessare always
|
|
pleasing and acceptable unto us, though the
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the So2d ofMan. 109
|
|
|
|
person should be otherwise mean and con-
|
|
temptible; but to have the love of one who
|
|
is altogether lovely,to knowthatthe glorious
|
|
Majestyofheaven hath any regard unto us,
|
|
howmustitastonishanddelightusI howmust
|
|
it overcome ourspirits, and meltour hearts,
|
|
andputourwholesoulintoaflame! Nowas
|
|
the word ofGod is full ofthe expressions of
|
|
his love towards man, so all his works do
|
|
loudlvproclaim it; he gaveusourbeing,and
|
|
b}'preservingusinit, dothrenewthedonation
|
|
|
|
## everymoment. He hath placed us in a rich
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
and well-furnished world, and liberall}^ pro-
|
|
vided for allournecessities: herainethdown
|
|
blessings from heaven upon us, and causeth
|
|
theearthtobringforthourprovision; hegiv-
|
|
ethusourfoodandraiment,andwhilewe are
|
|
spending theproductions of one year, he is
|
|
```
|
|
## preparingfor us against another. Hesweet-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
enethourliveswithinnumerablecomforts, and
|
|
gratifieth every faculty with suitable objects
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
```
|
|
theeye ofhis providenceisalways upon us,
|
|
and he watcheth foroursafetywhen we are
|
|
fastasleep,neithermindinghimnorourselves.
|
|
But lestwe shouldthink thesetestimonies of
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
no The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
his kindness less considerable, because they
|
|
are the easyissues ofhis omnipotent power,
|
|
anddo notputhimtoanytroubleorpain, he
|
|
hathtakenamorewonderfulmethodtoendear
|
|
himself to us: he hath testified his affection
|
|
tous,bysuffering aswell as by doing; and
|
|
because he couldnotsufferin hisownnature
|
|
heassumedours. TheeternalSonofGoddid
|
|
clothehimselfwiththeinfirmitiesofourflesh,
|
|
and left the company ofthose innocent and
|
|
blessedspirits,w^hoknewwellhowtoloveand
|
|
adore him,that he might dwell among men,
|
|
and wrestle with the obstinacy ofthat rebel-
|
|
liousrace,toreducethemtotheirallegianceand
|
|
fidelity,andthentoofferhimselfupasasacri-
|
|
ficeandpropitiationforthem. Irememberone
|
|
ofthepoetshathaningeniousfancytoexpress
|
|
thepassionw^herewith he foundhimselfover-
|
|
come aftera longresistance: "That the god
|
|
oflovehadshotall his goldenarrowsathim,
|
|
but could neverpiercehis heart,tillatlength
|
|
heput himselfinto thebow,anddarted him-
|
|
selfstraight into his breast." Methinks this
|
|
doth some w^ay adumbrate God's method of
|
|
dealingwithmen: hehadlongcontendedwith
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
in the Soulofj\Ian. iii
|
|
```
|
|
astubborn world, and thrown do^^'n many a
|
|
blessing upon them; and when allhis other
|
|
gifts couldnotprevail,he at last madeagift
|
|
ofhimself,totestify his affection and engage
|
|
theirs. The account which we have of our
|
|
Saviour'slifeinthe gospel,dothallalongpre-
|
|
sentuswiththestoryofhislove; allthepains
|
|
thathetook, andthetroublesthatheendured,
|
|
w^erethewonderful effects,anduncontrollable
|
|
evidencesofit. Butoh,that last,that dismal
|
|
scene! Isitpossibletorememberit,andques-
|
|
tionhis kindness, ordeny him ours? Here,
|
|
here it is, mydear friend,thatwe should fix
|
|
our most serious and solemn thoughts, that
|
|
|
|
## Christmaydwell in ourhearts byfaith: that
|
|
|
|
## we,beingrootedandgroundedinlove,maybe
|
|
|
|
able to comprehend, with all saints, whatis
|
|
breadthandlengthanddepthand height; the
|
|
andto knowtheloveofChrist,whichpasseth
|
|
|
|
## knowledge,thatwe maybe filledwith allthe
|
|
|
|
fulnessofGod.
|
|
Weoughtalso frequentlytoreflectonthose
|
|
particulartokensoffavorandlove,whichGod
|
|
hathbestowedonourselves; howlonghehath
|
|
bornewith ourfollies and sins,andwaited to
|
|
|
|
|
|
112 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
begraciausuntous; wrestling,asitwere,with
|
|
the stubbornness ofour hearts, and essaying
|
|
everymethodto reclaimus. Weshouldkeep
|
|
aregisterinourmindsofalltheeminentbless-
|
|
ingsanddeliveranceswehavemetwith; some
|
|
whereofhavebeensoconveyed,thatwemight
|
|
clearly perceive they were not the issues of
|
|
chance,butthe gracious effects ofthe divine
|
|
favor,and the signal returns of our prayers.
|
|
Noroughtwetoimbitterthethoughtsofthese
|
|
thingswith anyharsh or unworthy suspicion,
|
|
asiftheyweredesignedonpurposetoenhance
|
|
ourguilt,andheightenoureternaldamnation.
|
|
No,no,m}^friend,Godislove,andhehathno
|
|
pleasurein the ruin ofhis creatures; ifthey
|
|
abuse his goodness, and turn his grace into
|
|
wantonness, and thereby plunge themselves
|
|
intogreaterdepthsofguiltandmisery,thisis
|
|
the effect of their obstinate wickedness, and
|
|
notthe design ofthose benefitswhich he be-
|
|
stows.
|
|
Ifthese considerationshadoncebegottenin
|
|
our hearts a real love and affection towards
|
|
AlmightyGod,thatwould easilylead us unto
|
|
theotherbranchesofreligion,andthereforeI
|
|
shallneedsaythelessofthem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 113
|
|
|
|
## TO BEGET CHARITY WE MUST REMEMBER
|
|
|
|
## THAT ALL MEN ARE NEARLY RELATED
|
|
|
|
UNTO GOD.
|
|
|
|
"XT7"Eshallfindourheartsenlargedincharity
|
|
towards men, byconsidering the rela-
|
|
tionwherein theystand untoGod,andtheim-
|
|
pressesofhis imagewhich arestampedupon
|
|
them. They arenot only his creatures, the
|
|
|
|
## workmanshipofhis hands,butsuchofwhom
|
|
|
|
## hetakethspecialcare,andforwhomhehatha
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
verydearandtender regard; havinglaidthe
|
|
designoftheirhappinessbeforethefoundations
|
|
oftheworld,andbeingwillingtoliveandcon-
|
|
verse with them to all the ages of eternity.
|
|
The meanest and most contemptible person
|
|
```
|
|
## whomwe behold, is the offspringofheaven,
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
one of the children ofthe Most High; and
|
|
howeverunworthyhemightbehavehimselfof
|
|
thatrelation,solongasGodhathnotabdicated
|
|
and disowned himbyafinalsentence,hewill
|
|
haveustoacknowledgehimasoneofhis,and
|
|
assuchtoembracehimwithasincereandcor-
|
|
```
|
|
## dial affection. Youknowwhat agreat con-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
8
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
114 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
cernmentwearewonttohaveforthosethatdo
|
|
|
|
## anywise belongto thepersonwhomwelove
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
howgladlywe layholdon everyopportunity
|
|
togratifythechildorservantofafriend; and
|
|
sure ourlove towardsGodwould asnaturally
|
|
spring forth in charity towards men, did we
|
|
mind the interest that he is pleased to take
|
|
inthem,andconsiderthateverysoulisdearer
|
|
untohimthanallthematerialworld: andthat
|
|
he did not account the blood ofhis son too
|
|
great a price lor their redemption.
|
|
|
|
THATTHEYCARRYGOD'SIMAGEUPONTHEM.
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
A GAIN,asallmenstandinanearrelation
|
|
toGod,sotheyhavestillsomuch ofhis
|
|
```
|
|
## image stampedupon them,asmayobligeand
|
|
|
|
excite us to love them; in somethisimageis
|
|
more eminent and conspicuous, and we can
|
|
discernthelovelytracesofwisdomandgood-
|
|
ness; andthough inothersitismiserablysul-
|
|
liedanddefaced,yetitisnotaltogethererased,
|
|
somelineamentsatleast do stillremain. All
|
|
men are endued with rational and immortal
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 115
|
|
|
|
souls,withunderstandingsandwillscapableof
|
|
the highest and most excellent things; and
|
|
iftheybeatpresent disorderedandputoutof
|
|
|
|
## tunebywickednessandfolly,thismayindeed
|
|
|
|
move ourcompassion,butoughtnotinreason
|
|
|
|
## toextinguishourlove. Whenweseeaperson
|
|
|
|
in a rugged humor, andperverse disposition,
|
|
full of malice and dissimulation, very foolish
|
|
andvery proud,it is hard tofallinlovewith
|
|
anobjectthat presentsitselfuntousunderan
|
|
ideasolittlegratefulandlovely. Butwhenwe
|
|
shallconsidertheseevilqualitiesasthediseases
|
|
and distempers of a soul, which in itself is
|
|
capableofallthatwisdomandgoodnesswhere-
|
|
withthebestofsaintshaveeverbeenadorned,
|
|
|
|
## andwhichmayonedaycometoberaisedunto
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
such heights of perfection asshall render it
|
|
a fitcompanion forthe holy angels, thiswill
|
|
turnouraversionintopity,andmakeusbehold
|
|
himwith such resentments aswe shouldhave
|
|
whenwe look upona beautifulbodythatwas
|
|
mangled with wounds, or disfiguredby some
|
|
loathsome disease; and howeverwe hate the
|
|
vices,we shall notcease to love the man.
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
ii6 The LifeofGod
|
|
|
|
## TOBEGETPURITY, WE SHOULD CONSIDER
|
|
|
|
THE DIGNITYOF OURNATURE.
|
|
TNthenextplace,forpurifyingoursouls,and
|
|
disentangling ouraffectionsfromthepleas-
|
|
ures and enjoyments ofthislower life,letus
|
|
frequentlypondertheexcellencyanddignityof
|
|
ournature,andwhatashamefulandunworthy
|
|
thing itisforsonobleanddivineacreatureas
|
|
|
|
## the soul ofman tobe sunk and immersedin
|
|
|
|
brutish and sensual lust,oramusedwith airy
|
|
and fantastical delights, and so to lose the
|
|
relishofsolidandspiritualpleasures; thatthe
|
|
beast should be fed and pampered, and the
|
|
|
|
## manand theChristianbe starvedinus. Did
|
|
|
|
we but mind whowe are, and for what we
|
|
were made, this would teach us in a right
|
|
sense to reverence and stand in awe of our-
|
|
selves; itwould beget a modestyand shame-
|
|
facedness,andmakeusveryshyandreserved
|
|
intheuseofthemostinnocentandallowable
|
|
pleasures.
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ill the SoulofAlan. 117
|
|
```
|
|
## WE SHOULDMEDITATE OFTEN ON THE JOYS
|
|
|
|
OF HEAVEN.
|
|
|
|
TTwillbeveryeffectualtothesamepurpose,
|
|
thatwe frequentlyraiseourmindstowards
|
|
heaven,andrepresenttoourthoughtsthe joys
|
|
that are at God's right hand, thosepleasures
|
|
thatendurefo?'evermore;foreverymanthat
|
|
hath this hopein himpurifieth himself^ even
|
|
as he is pure. If our heavenly country be
|
|
much in our thoughts, it will make us, as
|
|
strangers andpilgrims,toabstainfromfleshly
|
|
lusts, whichwar against the soul, and keep
|
|
ourselves unspotted from this world, that we
|
|
|
|
## maybe fit for the enjoymentsandfelicitiesof
|
|
|
|
the other. But then we must see that our
|
|
notionsofheavenbenotgrossandcarnal,that
|
|
we dream not ofa Mahometan paradise, nor
|
|
rest on those metaphors and similitudesby
|
|
w^hich these joys aresometimes represented
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
forthis might,perhaps,havequitea contrary
|
|
effect; itmight entangle us furtherin carnal
|
|
affections,andwe should be readyto indulge
|
|
ourselves in a very liberal foretaste ofthose
|
|
|
|
|
|
ii8 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
pleasures,whereinwehadplacedoureverlast-
|
|
ing felicity. But when we come once to
|
|
conceive aright of those pure and spiritual
|
|
pleasures,when the happinesswe propose to
|
|
ourselves isfromthe sight and love and en-
|
|
joymentofGod, andourminds arefilledwith
|
|
the hopes and forethoughts of that blessed
|
|
estate; oh how mean and contemptible will
|
|
allthingsherebelowappearinoureyesI with
|
|
what disdain shall we reject the gross and
|
|
muddypleasuresthatwoulddepriveusofthose
|
|
celestial enjoyments, or an}^ way unfit and
|
|
indispose us for them.
|
|
|
|
## HUMILITY ARISESFROMTHECONSIDERATION
|
|
|
|
## OFOUR FAILINGS.
|
|
|
|
## ^I^HElastbranchofreligionishumility,and
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
sure we can never wantmatter ofcon-
|
|
siderationforbegettingit: allourwickednesses
|
|
and imperfections,all ourfollies andoursins,
|
|
```
|
|
## mavhelptopulldownthatfondandoverween-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ing conceit which we are aptto entertain of
|
|
ourselves. Thatwhichmakesanybodyesteem
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoidofMan. 119
|
|
|
|
us,istheirknowledgeorapprehensionofsome
|
|
littlegood,andtheirignoranceofagreatdeal
|
|
|
|
## of evil that may be in us; were they thor-
|
|
|
|
oughlyacquaintedwithus, theywouldquickly
|
|
changetheiropinion. Thethoughtsthatpass
|
|
in ourheart,in thebestandmostseriousday
|
|
of ourlife, being exposed unto publicview^
|
|
would renderus either hateful or ridiculous:
|
|
and now, however we conceal our failings
|
|
fromone another, yet sure w^e areconscious
|
|
ofthemourselves,andsomeseriousreflections
|
|
upon themwould muchqualify and allaythe
|
|
vanity of our spirits. Thus holy men have
|
|
comereallytothinkw^orseofthemselvesthan
|
|
ofanyotherpersonintheworld: notbutthat
|
|
theyknewthatgrossandscandalousvicesare,
|
|
in theirnature,more heinousthanthesurpri-
|
|
salsoftemptations andinfirmity; butbecause
|
|
theyw^eremuchmoreintentontheirowmmis-
|
|
carriages,thanonthoseoftheirneighbors,and
|
|
did consider all the aggravations ofthe one,
|
|
and every thing that might be supposed to
|
|
diminish and alleviate theother.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I20 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## THOUGHTS OF GOD GIVE USTHE LOWEST
|
|
|
|
THOUGHTS OF OURSELVES.
|
|
|
|
## TI)UT itiswellobservedby a pious writer,
|
|
|
|
that the deepest and mostpurehumility
|
|
doth notsomucharise fromtheconsideration
|
|
ofourown faults and defects,asfromacalm
|
|
andquiet contemplation of the divine purity
|
|
and goodness. Our spots never appear so
|
|
clearly,aswhenwe place thembeforethisin-
|
|
finitelight; andweneverseemlessinourown
|
|
eyes,thanwhenwe lookdownuponourselves
|
|
|
|
## from on high. Ohhowlittle,hownothingdo
|
|
|
|
all those shadows of perfection then appear,
|
|
for which we are wont to value ourselves
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
!
|
|
```
|
|
That humility which cometh froma view of
|
|
ourown sinfulnessandmiser}',ismoreturbu-
|
|
lent and boisterous; but the other layeth us
|
|
fullaslow,andwantethnothingofthatanguish
|
|
andvexation wherewith our souls are aptto
|
|
boilwhen theyare thenearest objects ofour
|
|
thoughts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
in the SoulofAlan. 121
|
|
```
|
|
## PRAYER,ANOTHERINSTRUxMENTOFRELIGION,
|
|
|
|
## ANDTHEADVANTAGESOFMENTALPRAYER.
|
|
|
|
^I^HERE remainsyetanothermeansforbe-
|
|
getting aholy and religious disposition
|
|
inthe soul; and that is, fervent and hearty
|
|
prayer. Holiness is the giftofGod; indeed
|
|
the greatest gift he doth bestow, or we are
|
|
capable toreceive; and he hathpromisedhis
|
|
Holy Spirit tothose that ask it of him. In
|
|
prayerw^emakethenearestapproachestoGod,
|
|
andlieopentotheinfluencesofheaven: then
|
|
itisthatthesunofrighteousnessdothvisitus
|
|
withhisdirectestrays,anddissipatethourdark-
|
|
ness,and imprinteth his image on our souls.
|
|
I cannotnowinsiston the advantagesofthis
|
|
exercise,orthedispositionswherewithitought
|
|
tobeperformed,andthereisnoneedIshould,
|
|
therebeing so manybooks thattreat on this
|
|
subject; I shall only tell you, that as there
|
|
isone sort ofprayerwhereinwe makeuseof
|
|
the voice, which is necessary in public, and
|
|
|
|
## may sometimes have its own advantages in
|
|
|
|
private; andanotherwherein,thoughweutter
|
|
|
|
|
|
122 The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
nosound,yetweconceivethe expressionsand
|
|
form thewords,as itwere,in ourminds: so
|
|
there is a third and more sublime kind of
|
|
prayer,wherein thesoultakesahigherflight,
|
|
and havinorcollectedallitsforcesbvlongrand
|
|
|
|
## seriousmeditation,itdartethitself(ifImayso
|
|
|
|
speak)towardsGodinsighs,and groans,and
|
|
thoughts too big for expression. Aswhen,
|
|
after a deepcontemplation ofthe divine per-
|
|
fectionsappearinginallhisworks ofwonder,
|
|
itaddressethitselfuntohiminthe profoundest
|
|
adorationofhis majestyand glory: orwhen,
|
|
aftersadreflectionsonitsvileness and miscar-
|
|
riages,itprostrates itselfbefore himw^ith the
|
|
greatestconfusion and sorrow, not daring to
|
|
lift up its eyes,orutteronew^ordinhis pres-
|
|
ence: or when, having well considered the
|
|
beautyofholiness,andtheunspeakablefelicity
|
|
ofthose that are truly good, it panteth after
|
|
God,andsendethupsuchvigorousandardent
|
|
desires as no words can sufficiently express,
|
|
continuingandrepeatingeachoftheseactsas
|
|
long asit findsitselfupheldbytheforceand
|
|
impulseofthepreviousmeditation.
|
|
Thismental prayerisofallothersthemost
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the Soul ofMan. 123
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
effectual topurifythesoul,anddisposeitunto
|
|
```
|
|
## a holy and religious temper, and may be
|
|
|
|
termedthe great secret ofdevotion, and one
|
|
ofthemostpowerfulinstrumentsofthedivine
|
|
|
|
## life; anditmaybetheapostlehathapeculiar
|
|
|
|
respectunto it,when he saith,that theSpirit
|
|
helpethourinfirmities^makingintercessionfor
|
|
us withgroanings thatcannotbetittered; or,
|
|
|
|
## the originalmaybear, thatcannotheworded.
|
|
|
|
YetIdonotsorecommendthissortofprayer,
|
|
asto supersede the useofthe other; forwe
|
|
have so manyseveral thingsto prayfor,and
|
|
everypetitionofthisnaturerequirethsomuch
|
|
time, andsogreatanintentionofspirit,thatit
|
|
werenoteasythereintoovertake themall; to
|
|
saynothing thatthe deepsighsandheavings
|
|
ofthe heartwhich arewontto accompanyit,
|
|
aresomething oppressivetonature, andmake
|
|
ithardtocontinuelonginthem. Butcertainly
|
|
afewofthese inwardaspirationswilldomore
|
|
than a great manyfluentandmeltingexpres-
|
|
sions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
12
|
|
```
|
|
### 4
|
|
|
|
The Life ofGod
|
|
|
|
## RELIGIONIS TO BEADVANXEDBYTHESAME
|
|
|
|
## MEANS BYWHICH ITIS BEGUN; ANDTHE
|
|
|
|
## USE OFTHE HOLYSACRAMENTTOWARDS
|
|
|
|
IT.
|
|
^
|
|
I^HUS,mydearfriend,I havebriefly pro-
|
|
posed the method whichI judgeproper
|
|
for mouldingthesoul into a holyframe; and
|
|
the same means which servetobegetthisdi-
|
|
vinetemper,muststillbepractisedforstrength-
|
|
ening and advancing it; andthereforeIshall
|
|
recommendbutonemoreforthatpurpose,and
|
|
that is the frequent and conscientious use of
|
|
that hoi}' Sacrament, which ispeculiarly ap-
|
|
pointed to nourish and increase the spiritual
|
|
life,whenonceitisbegotteninthesoul. All
|
|
theinstrumentsofreligiondomeettogetherin
|
|
thisordinance; andwhileweaddressourselves
|
|
unto it, we are put to practise allthe rules
|
|
whichwerementionedbefore. Thenitisthat
|
|
we make the severest surveyof our actions,
|
|
and laythe strictest obligationson ourselves
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
;
|
|
```
|
|
then areour minds raisedtothehighestcon-
|
|
tempt oftheworld,andeverygrace doth ex-
|
|
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 125
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
ercise itself ^Yith the greatest activity and
|
|
vigor; all the subjects of contemplation do
|
|
there present themselves unto us with the
|
|
greatest advantage; and then, if ever, doth
|
|
thesoulmakeitsmostpowerfulsalliestowards
|
|
heaven,andassaultitwithaholyandaccepta-
|
|
```
|
|
## bleforce. And certainlythe neglectorcare-
|
|
|
|
less performance of this duty, is one of the
|
|
chiefcauses that bedwarfs our religion, and
|
|
makesus continue ofsolow a size.
|
|
Butitistime I should put a close to this
|
|
letter, which is grown to a far greater bulk
|
|
than at first Iintended: ifthese poorpapers
|
|
can do you the smallest service,Ishallthink
|
|
myself very happy in this undertaking; at
|
|
|
|
## least,I amhopeful youwill kindlyacceptthe
|
|
|
|
sincere endeavorsofa personwho\vould fain
|
|
acquit himselfofsome part ofthat which he
|
|
owesyou.
|
|
|
|
|
|
126 TheLife ofGod
|
|
|
|
## A PRAYER.
|
|
|
|
" ANDnow, O most gracious God, Father
|
|
and Fountain of mercy and goodness,
|
|
whohastblesseduswiththeknowledgeofour
|
|
happiness,andthewaythatleadethuntoit,ex-
|
|
cite in our souls such ardent desiresafterthe
|
|
|
|
## one,as mayputusforthtothediligentprose-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
cution oftheother. Let us neither presume
|
|
on our own strength, nor distrustthy divine
|
|
assistance; butwhilewe are doingourutmost
|
|
endeavors,teachusstilltodependontheefor
|
|
success. Open our eyes, O God, and teach
|
|
usoutofthylaw. Blessuswithanexactand
|
|
tendersense ofour duty,and a knowledgeto
|
|
```
|
|
## discernperversethings. Ohthatourwayswere
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
directedtokeepthystatutes,thenshallwenot
|
|
beashamedwhenwehaverespectuntoallthy
|
|
commandments. Possess our hearts with a
|
|
generous and holydisdain of all those poor
|
|
enjoyments which this w^orld holdeth out to
|
|
```
|
|
## allure us,that theymaynever be able to in-
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
veigleour affections, orbetrayus to anysin:
|
|
turnawayoureyesfrombeholdingvanity,and
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
in the SoulofMan. 127
|
|
|
|
quicken thou us in thy law. Fill our souls
|
|
with such a deepsense andfullpersuasionof
|
|
thosegreattruthswhichthou hastrevealedin
|
|
|
|
## thegospel,as mayinfluence andregulateour
|
|
|
|
whole conversation; and that the life which
|
|
|
|
## w^e henceforthlive in theflesh, we may live
|
|
|
|
## throughfaithinthe SonofGod. Ohthatthe
|
|
|
|
infinite perfections ofthy blessednature, and
|
|
theastonishingexpressionsofthygoodnessand
|
|
|
|
## love,mayconquerand overpower ourhearts,
|
|
|
|
## thattheymaybeconstantlyrisingtowardthee
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
in flames of the devoutest affection, and en-
|
|
larging themselvesin sincereandcordiallove
|
|
towards alltheworld, forthysake; andthat
|
|
```
|
|
## wemaycleanse ourselvesfromallfilthinessof
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
fleshandspirit,perfectingholinessinthyfear,
|
|
without whichwe can never hope to behold
|
|
andenjoy thee. Finally, O God, grant that
|
|
theconsideration ofwhatthou art, andwhat
|
|
```
|
|
## weourselvesare,maybothhumbleandlayus
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
low before thee, and also stir up in us the
|
|
strongestand mostardentaspirations towards
|
|
thee. Wedesire toresign and give up our-
|
|
selvestotheconductofthyHolySpirit; lead
|
|
us inthytruth,andteachus, forthouartthe
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
(^128) Lifo ofGod in SoulofMan.
|
|
Godofoursalvation; guideuswiththycoun-
|
|
sel,andafterwards receiveus unto glory, for
|
|
themerits andintercessionofthyblessedSon
|
|
ourSaviour." Amen,
|
|
THE END.
|
|
CAMBRIDGE:PRESSOFJOHNWILSONANDSON.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
t;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|