A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

SECT. VI.

The sinfulness of the Affections is discovered in respect of the End and Use for which God engrafted them in our Natures.

The sinfulness of the Affections is discovered in respect of the End and Use for which God ingraffed them in our Natures.

Fourthly, Their sinfulness is discovered in respect of the object about which, So also in respect of the end and use for which God first engrafted them into our Natures; They were given at first to be like the wheels to the Chariots, like wings to the bird; To facilitate and make easy our approaches to God, the soul had these, to be like Elijah's fiery chariot to mount to Heaven, and therefore we see, where the affections of men are vehement and hot, they conquer all difficulties, that Adam might in body and soul draw nigh to God, that God might be glorified in both, therefore had he these bodily affections; And we see David, though restored to this holy Image but in part, yet he could say, His soul and his flesh did rejoice in the Lord, his flesh desired God, as well as his soul, that is, his affections were exceedingly moved after God, as Psal. 84. 2. For the soul being the form of the body, whatsoever that doth intensely desire by way of a sympathy or subordination there is a proportionable effect wrought in the inferior sensitive part. As Aaron's oil poured on his head, did descend to his skirts; Thus by way of redundancy, what the superior part of the soul is affected with, the inferior also doth receive, and by this means the work of grace in the superior part is more confirmed and strengthened, and the heat below doth increase the heat above: Thus you see that these affections had by their primitive nature a great serviceableness to promote the glory of God, to prepare and raise up men to that duty: But now these affections are the great impediments and clogs to the soul, that if at any time it would sar up to Heaven, if light within doth instigate to draw nigh to God; These affections do immediately contradict and interpose, and the reason is, because they are engaged to contrary objects, so that when we would love God; love to the world, that presently stoppeth and hinders it; when we should delight and rejoice in holy things, worldly and earthly delights they do immediately like the string to the birds feet, pull down to the ground again;