And we ought to use the best of our diligence herein, because the great means whereby multitudes delude and deceive their own souls, persuading themselves that there has been an effectual work of the grace of the gospel in them, is the change that they find in their affections; which may be on many occasions without any spiritual renovation :—
1. As unto the temporary and occasional impressions on the affec- tions before mentioned, whether from the word or any other divine warning by afflictions or mercies, they are common unto all sorts of persons. Some there are whose “consciences are seared with a hot iron,” 1 Tim. iv. 2, “ who” thereon, “ being past feeling” (senseless of all calls, warnings, and rebukes), “ have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness,” Eph. iv. 19. Such persons, having hardened themselves in a long course of sin, and being given up unto a reprobate mind, or vile affections, in a way of judgment, have, it may be, no such impressions on their affections on any occasion as to move them with a sense of things spiritual and eternal. They may be terrified with danger, sudden judgments, and other revelations of the wrath of God from heaven against the ungodliness of men, but they are not drawn to take shelter in thoughts of spiritual things. Nothing but hell will awaken them unto a due consideration of themselves and things eternal.
It is otherwise with the generality of men who are not profligate and impudent in sinning; for although they are in a natural condi- tion and a course of sin, in the neglect of known duties, yet, by one means or other,—most frequently by the preaching of the word,— their affections are stirred towards heavenly things.
Sometimes they are afraid, sometimes they have hopes and de- sires about them. These put them on resolutions, and some tempo- rary endeavours to change their lives, to abstain from sin and to perform holy duties. But, as the prophet complains, “ their goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew, it goeth away.” Yet
CHAP. XIII.] | UNIVERSALITY IN RENEWED AFFECTIONS. 417
; by means hereof do many poor ignorant souls deceive themselves, and cry “ Peace, peace, when there is no peace.” And they will
sometimes so express how they are affected, with complaints of
themselves as unto their long neglect of spiritual things, that others may entertain good hopes concerning them; but all comes to nothing in the trial. _ There is no difficulty unto spiritual light to distinguish between these occasional impressions on the affections and that spiritual renovation of them which we inquire after. This alone is sufficient to do it, that they are all of them temporary and evanid. They abide “ for a while” only, as our Saviour speaks, and every occasion defeats all their efficacy. They may be frequently renewed, but they never abide. Some of them immediately pass away, and are utterly lost between the place where they hear the word and their own ha- bitations; and in vain shall they inquire after them again,—-they are gone for ever. Some have a larger continuance, endure longer in the mind, and produce some outward effects. None of them will hold any trial or shock of temptation.
Yet I have somewhat to say unto those who have such impressions on their affections, and warnings by them :—
(1.) Despise them not, for God isin them. Although he may not
be in them in a way of saving grace, yet he is in them in that which may be preparatory thereto. They are not common human accidents, but especial divine warnings. _ (2.) Labour to retain them, or a sense of them, upon your hearts and consciences. You have got nothing by losing so many of them already; and if you proceed in their neglect, after a while you will hear of them no more. |
(3.) Put no more in them than belongs wnto them. Do not presently conclude that your state is good, hecause you have been affected at the hearing of the word, or under a sickness, or in a danger. Hereon you may think that now all is well with them, wherewith they please themselves, until they are wholly immersed in their former security.
2. We may consider the difference that is between the habitual change of the affections before described, and that renovation by. grace which renders them spiritual. And this is of great concern- ment unto us all, to inquire into it with diligence. Multitudes are herein deceived, and that unto their ruin; for they resolve their present peace into, and build their hopes of eternal life on, such a change in themselves as will not abide the trial. This difference, therefore, is to be examined by Scripture light and the experience of them that do believe. And,— ig
(1.) There is a double universality with respect unto the spiritual renovation of our affections,—that which is subjective, with respect
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418 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. _ [PART IL
unto the affections themselves; and that which is objective, with respect unto spiritual things.
[1.] Sanctification extends itself unto the “ whole spirit, and soul, and body,” 1 Thess. v.23. When we say that we are sanctified in part only, we do not say that any part, power, or faculty of the soul is unsanctified, but only that the work is not absolutely perfect in any of them. All sin may retain power in some one affection, as anger, fear, or love, as unto actual eruptions and effects, more than in all the rest, as one affection may be more eminently sanctified in some than in others; for it may haye advantages unto this end from men’s | natural tempers and various outward circumstances. Hence, some find little difficulty in the mortification of all other lusts or corrup- tions in comparison of what they meet withal in some one inordi- nate affection or corruption, This, it may be, David had regard unto, Ps. xviii, 23. I have known persons shining exemplarily in all other graces who have been scarce free from giving great scandal by the excess of their passions and easy provocation thereunto. And yet they have known that the setting themselves unto the sincere, vigorous mortification of that disorder is the most eminent pledge of their sincerity in other things; for the trial of our self-denial lies in the things that our natural inclinations lie strongest toward. Howbeit, as was said, there is no affection where there is this work of renovation but it is sanctified and renewed; none of them is left absolutely unto the service of sin and Satan, And therefore, whereas, by reason of the advantages mentioned, sin doth greatly contend to use some of them unto its interest and service in a peculiar manner, yet are they enabled unto and made meet for gracious actings, and do in their proper seasons put forth themselves accordingly. There is no affection of the mind from whence the soul and conscience hath received the greatest damiage,—that was, as it were, the field whereon the contest ig managed between sin and grace,—but hath its spiritual use and exercise when the mind is renewed.