A30247:1830
A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is
A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is, by pregnant texts of Scripture vindicated from false glosses / by Anthony Burgess.
London : s.n., 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
SECT. XIII.
The Affections being drawn out to holy Duties from corrupt Motives, shows the Pollution of them.
The Affections being drawn out to holy Duties from corrupt Motives, shews the Pollution of them.
Thirdly, Herein also is apparent the original pollution of our affections, That when they are moved and stirred up in any holy duties, yet it is not a spiritual motive that draweth them out, but some corrupt or unlawful respect. Thus there is a world of guile and hypocrisy in our affections, we think it is the love of God that affecteth us, when it is love to our selves, to our own glory, to accomplish our own ends: Thus in our sorrow, we think it is for sin that we grieve, when it is because of temporal evil, or some outward calamity: Insomuch that this very consideration of the hypocrisy and deceitfulness of our affections may be like an Abyss or deep to swallow us up, when the heart is said to be so desperately wicked, and that none can know it but God; by that is meant in a great part our affections: none knoweth the depths of his love, of his fear, of his sorrow; How often doth he bless himself, when he finds these things moving in him, especially in holy duties? Whereas (alas) it is not any consideration from God, any heavenly respect moveth him, but some earthly consideration or other: You may observe this in Jehu, what ardent and burning affections did he show in the cause of God, destroying Idolatry, and executing the judgements of God upon his enemies? But what moved his affections all this while? It was not the glory of God, but self-respects, self-advancement: Oh this is the treacherous deceitfulness of our affections, we may find them very strong in preaching, in public prayer with others, and the fire to them be only vain-glory! Yea our affections may be blown up with our own expressions and delight in them; so that as it is a long while ere thou canst get thy affections up to any holy duty, so it is as difficult to search out, What is the cause of them? Why they rise up? Those in