A55305:516
The divine will considered in its eternal decrees, and holy execution of them. By…
The divine will considered in its eternal decrees, and holy execution of them. By Edward Polhill of Burwash in Sussex Esquire
London : printed, and are to be sold by Thomas Shelmerdine, at the sign of the Rose-Tree in Little-Britain, 1695
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.
3. As to the Affections, there is a Principle which tunes and harmonizes them, and that in a threefold respect.
1. 'Tis a Principle reductive of the Affections to the Rule of Reason. God in Creation made Man a Lord over Brutes, & anointed Reason to reign over the Affections; but as soon as Man rebelled against God, all within him and without him was hurled into confusion: Without, the brute Beasts rebelled against his person; and within, the brutish Lusts rebelled against his Reason; but when converting Grace reduces Man into order again, then the beasts of the field are at peace with him, Joh 5. 23. and the Affections of the Heart throw down their arms and confess their homage to the Kingdom of Reason. This Principle makes a man able to rule over his own spirit, Prov. 16. 32. and say with Authority to one Affection, Go and it goeth, and to another, come, and it cometh. 'Tis true, Moral Virtue doth in its way subject the Affections to Reason, but this ⟨p. 399⟩supernatural Principle doth it in a more excellent manner; there the Subjection is to Reason as the supreme Faculty of the Soul, but here it is to it as the candle of the Lord▪ even for his sake who lighted it up for the guidance of the blind Faculties; there it is to Reason as a natural Light, but here it is to it as supernaturally illuminated. The holy Spirit makes the Truths of the Gospel to become the Law of the mind, and this Law of the mind rules over the Affections; the Affections are the [Greek or Hebrew], the Woman-part in us, the head of this woman is the Man or Reason, and the head of this Man is Christ and his holy unction.
1. 'Tis a Principle reductive of the Affections to the Rule of Reason. God in Creation made Man a Lord over Brutes, & anointed Reason to reign over the Affections; but as soon as Man rebelled against God, all within him and without him was hurled into confusion: Without, the brute Beasts rebelled against his person; and within, the brutish Lusts rebelled against his Reason; but when converting Grace reduces Man into order again, then the beasts of the field are at peace with him, Joh 5. 23. and the Affections of the Heart throw down their arms and confess their homage to the Kingdom of Reason. This Principle makes a man able to rule over his own spirit,