1st. This is the End why we have Affections, that they may be exercised in their Season. God hath planted in every Man Affections suitable to every Condition in which he placeth him. It is said, the Stars in their Order fought against Sisera; so Affections. We have Joy for Prosperity, ⟨p. 3⟩Sorrow for Adversity. What did God mean, to give us such contrary Affections, if not that they should be acted in their Order and Time? that these Affections should, like the Spokes, turn with the Wheel of Providence? And therefore God complaineth much, as if he were frustrated of his End, when we do not answer Providence by an Exercise of those Affections that are suitable to it; as Jer. 5. 3. I have smitten them, and they have not grieved. God wondereth they should be so unnatural, as not to grieve when stricken by him. So for Mercy; Hos. 11. 3. I taught Ephraim to go, taking them by their Arms; but they knew not that I healed them: that is, they were not sensible of it, did not take notice, and were not suitably affected with the Love of God: They are ranked among the rest of Men that are under their natural Condition, who are [Greek or Hebrew], without natural Affection; to be flinted, horny hearted, such as have no Smartness, no Quickness of Affection; especially when the Misery is of such a Nature, that near Friends are taken from us, is very displeasing to God.
1st. This is the End why we have Affections, that they may be exercised in their Season. God hath planted in every Man Affections sutable to every Condition in which he placeth him. It is said, the Stars in their Order fought against Sisera; so Affections. We have Joy for Prosperity, ⟨p. 3⟩Sorrow for Adversity. What did God mean, to give us such contrary Affections, if not that they should be acted in their Order and Time? that these Affections should, like the Spokes, turn with the Wheel of Providence? And therefore God complaineth much, as if he were frustrated of his End, when we do not answer Providence by an Exercise of those Affections that are sutable to it; as Ier. 5. 3. I have smitten them, and they have not grieved. God wondereth they should be so unnatural, as not to grieve when stricken by him. So for Mercy; Hos. 11. 3. I taught Ephraim to go, taking them by their Arms; but they knew not that I healed them: that is, they were not sensible of it, did not take notice, and were not sutably affected with the Love of God: They are ranked among the rest of Men that are under their natural Condition, who are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, without natural Affection; to be flinted, hornyhearted, such as have no Smartness, no Quickness of Affection; especially when the Misery is of such a Nature, that near Friends are taken from us, is very displeasing to God.
