The crucifying of the world

Obj. But Grace doth not make men stocks or stupid, and therefore how can we choose but feel?

Obj. But Grace doth not make men stocks or stupid, and therefore how can we chuse but feel?

Answ. There is a feeling that is merely natural, and not subject to the command of Reason and Will: and there is a feeling which is under Reason, and is voluntary. The later only is it that I speak of, which Grace commandeth. The most gracious man may feel heat and cold, pain and weariness, hunger and thirst, as much as the worst. But the Passions of his soul, so far ⟨p. 47⟩as they are under the command of Reason and Will, do not feel them as evils to the soul, (so far as he is sanctified.) Still observe that I speak of worldly things, as separated from God, in whom only they are good, and in respect to him only the absence of them is evil to the soul. And there is somewhat of the Passions that bodily sense can force, perhaps in an innocent Adam; But I speak only of that passion which Reason should command. And so, it is not enough that our Care and Grief for worldly things be less then that for the things of God. Though that much may prove our sincerity (of which more anon) yet that is not all that is our duty. But we should have no care or Rational voluntary grief for any creature, but only as it is a Means to God, & standeth in a due subordination to him: and so we may have both.

Answ. There is a feeling that is meerly natural, and not subject to the command of Reason and Will: and there is a feeling which is under Reason, and is voluntary. The later only is it that I speak of, which Grace commandeth. The most gracious man may feel heat and cold, pain and weariness, hunger and thirst, as much as the worst. But the Passions of his soul, so far ⟨p. 47⟩as they are under the command of Reason and Will, do not feel them as evils to the soul, (so far as he is sanctified.) Still observe that I speak of worldly things, as separated from God, in whom only they are good, and in respect to him only the absence of them is evil to the soul. And there is somewhat of the Passions that bodily sense can force, perhaps in an innocent Adam; But I speak only of that passion which Reason should command. And so, it is not enough that our Care and Grief for worldly things be less then that for the things of God. Though that much may prove our sincerity (of which more anon) yet that is not all that is our duty. But we should have no care or Rationall voluntary grief for any creature, but only as it is a Means to God, & standeth in a due subordination to him: and so we may have both.