A discourse of the work of the Holy Spirit in prayer with a brief…

Hereunto I may add the irregularity and disorder of our Affections. These I confess are discernible in the Light of Nature, and the rectifying of them, or an attempt for it, was the principal end of the old Philosophy. But the chief respect that on this principle it had unto them, is, as they disquiet the mind, or break forth into outward expressions, whereby men are defiled, or dishonoured, or distressed. So far natural Light will go, and thereby in the working of their Consciences, as far as I know, men may be put to pray about them. But the chief depravation of the Affections lies in their aversation unto things spiritual and Heavenly.

Hereunto I may add the irregularity and disorder of our Affections. These I confess are discernible in the Light of Nature, and the rectifying of them, or an attempt for it, was the principal end of the old Philosophy. But the chief respect that on this principle it had unto them, is, as they disquiet the mind, or break forth into outward expressions, whereby men are defiled, or dishonoured, or distressed. So far natural Light will go, and thereby in the working of their Consciences, as far as I know, men may be put to pray about them. But the chief depravation of the Affections lyes in their aversation unto things spiritual and Heavenly.

They are indeed sometimes ready of themselves to like things spiritual under false Notions of them, and divine Worship under Superstitious Ornaments and meretricious dresses, in which respect they are the spring and life of all that Devotion, ⟨p. 70⟩which is in the Church of Rome. But take Heavenly and Spiritual things in themselves with respect unto their proper Ends, and there is in all our Affections, as corrupted, a dislike of them and aversation unto them, which variously act themselves, and influence our Souls unto Vanities and disorders in all Holy Duties. And no man knows what it is to pray, who is not exercised in Supplications for mortifying, changing and renewing of these Affections as spiritually irregular. And yet is it the Spirit of God alone, which discovereth these things unto us and gives us a sense of our concernment in them. I say the Spiritual irregularity of our Affections, and their Aversation from spiritual things, is discernible in no Light, but that of supernatural illumination. For if without that, Spiritual things themselves cannot be discerned, as the Apostle assures us they cannot,