the condition of a participation of the blessings of eternal life; Rev. 21:6, "I will give unto
him that is athirst, of the fountain of the water of life freely.”
The Scriptures speaks of holy joy, as a great part of true religion. So it is represented in
the text. And as an important part of religion, it is often exhorted to, and pressed, with great
earnestness; Psal. 37:4, "Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine
heart." Psal. 97:12, “Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous." So Psal. 33:1, "Rejoice in the Lord, O
ye righteous." Matt. 5:12, "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad." Phil. 3:1, “Finally, brethren, rejoice
in the Lord." And chap. 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice." 1 Thess.
5:16, “Rejoice evermore." Psal. 149:2, "Let Israel rejoice in him that made him; let the children
of Zion be joyful in their king." This is mentioned among the principal fruits of the Spirit
of grace; Gal. 5:21, "The fruit of the Spirit is love," &c. The Psalmist mentions his holy joy,
as an evidence of his sincerity. Psal. 119:14, "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,
as much as in all riches."
Religious sorrow, mourning, and brokenness of heart, are also frequently spoken of as
a great part of true religion. These things are often mentioned as distinguishing qualities of
the true saints, and a great part of their character; Matt. 5:4, "Blessed are they that mourn;
for they shall be comforted.'' Psal. 34:18, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken
heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Isa. 61:1, 2, "The Lord hath anointed me,
to bind up the broken-hearted, to comfort all that mourn." This godly sorrow and brokenness
of heart is often spoken of, not only as a great thing in the distinguishing character of the
saints, but that in them, which is peculiarly acceptable and pleasing to God; Psal. 51:17, "The
sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not
despise." Isa. 57:15, "Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name
is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble
spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Chap.
66:2, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit."
Another affection often mentioned, as that in the exercise of which much of true religion
appears, is gratitude; especially as exercised in thankfulness and praise to God. This being
so much spoken of in the book of Psalms, and other parts of the holy Scriptures, I need not
mention particular texts.
Again, the holy Scriptures do frequently speak of compassion or mercy, as a very great
and essential thing in true religion, insomuch that good men are in Scripture denominated
from hence; and a merciful man and a good man are equivalent terms in Scripture; Isa. 57:1,
"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away."
And the Scripture chooses out this quality, as that by which, in a peculiar manner, a righteous
man is deciphered; Psal. 37:21, "The righteous showeth mercy, and giveth;" and ver. 26, "He
is ever merciful, and lendeth." And Prov. 14:21, "He that honoreth the Lord, hath mercy on
the poor.” And Col. 3:12, "Put ye on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,"
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Part I. Concerning the nature of the affections and their importance in…