Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

and on the reasonableness of these injunctions I cannot now dwell; but I would wish it to be impressed upon your minds, that in the exercise of the affections, according to these Divine requirements, there is real and high delight. It is not an inconsiderate or unguarded assertion, that in the legitimate and prescribed exercise of the affections in religion, there is designed to be, and there actually is a pleasure, rising by gradations which it is not difficult to trace, from the more gentle to the most blissful emotions of delight.

There is a certain pleasurable emotion of regard which we feel even towards many of the inferior animals which have been domesticated by our kindness, and which are capable of expressing as well as of exciting attachment. There is a pleasure of a much higher character, of which we are conscious, when we cherish disinterested kindness towards any being of our own species, however low his rank or mean his talents. There is a pleasure in relieving the wants and promoting the happiness of any of our fellow men, whether nearer to us or more remote. There is a pleasure highly joyous, in the exercise of the social affections in all the endearing relations of life, and in all the intercourse of genuine friendship; but most of all, when to the claims of nature and relationship are superadded the attractions of Divine grace, so that those whom we love for their own sake, we love also "for the truth's sake which dwelleth in them," 2 John 2, and for their resemblance

[ocr errors]

to the God whom we adore, and the Saviour whom we love! There is a holy pleasure in brotherly love, when, independently of all other considerations, we cherish kind and fraternal regard towards the disciples of Jesus, entirely for his sake, recognizing their relation to him, and feeling that relationship itself to exercise over our hearts the power of a strong attraction. There is a high degree of delight in the display of that catholic spirit of brotherhood, which rises superior to all the distinctions of country, and rank, and sect, and condition, and allows none of these things to be erected into barriers over which it cannot pass. In proportion as the heart is expanded with this heavenly love, we have the foretaste of heavenly happiness. "Let brotherly love continue. See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." Heb. xiii. 1; 1 Pet. i. 22.

Let me now direct your thoughts,

II. To the pleasurable and powerful influence of the affections, on the mind, and on the character of a Christian.

View that influence as it appears,

1. In the excitement given by the exercise of the affections to the operations of the intellect.

In a former chapter, I endeavoured to exhibit the pleasures arising from the knowledge of Divine truth, and the study of the word of God; and now it is my object to show, that those pleasures never have been and never can be realized, to any considerable extent,

without the aid and impulse of the affections. In obtaining those pleasures, the mind cannot give a merely passive reception to ideas pressed upon its regard. It must be highly active, habitually energetic and diligent in the investigation of the Scriptures and the study of Divine truth. But will the mind be brought into this state, and retained in thisstate, without powerful excitement? And can that excitement be produced, without the impulse of the affections? How is it in all our intellectual pursuits? Can you induce any one to prosecute a course of energetic study, without the incitement of some cogent motive? and can that motive be brought to bear upon the mind independently of the affections and passions? What is it which renders the lesson and the task so wearisome and irksome to the inconsiderate school-boy? He feels no interest in the study; and, unless an interest be felt in the pursuit itself, he cannot be brought to learn it, except by rousing his fear of disgrace and punishment, or by stimulating his desire of reward and distinction. What, on the other hand, is it which renders the pursuit of literature and science so inviting and agreeable to many who have arrived at years of maturity, and have made progress in such studies? It is that they have a taste for these pursuits, that they have a decided and powerful predilection for them, that their hearts are in them. The attachment of some is said even to rise to enthusiastic ardour; and this very enthusiasm is admired, because it leads

to eminence. And what is it which urges the man of business to so much unremitted diligence in the prosecution of his affairs, amid difficulties, and fatigues, and disappointments? It is the desire of success; it is the love of acquiring riches, or at least of attaining a competency. His heart is in his pursuits. In all these instances, the passions are the grand stimulants to activity. Without them, this busy and active world would exhibit an entire stagnation of effort. Activity would cease, and all would become motionless, supine, and dormant. And without the exercise of the affections, would it not be thus in religion; and especially with regard to the attainment of Divine knowledge? Why is it that many who hear the gospel are strangers to these acquisitions and their concomitant pleasures? They hear its truths discussed and illustrated with clearness, and perhaps with force; yet is there produced no effect, unless of a nature slight and evanescent. The fact is, that their powers of attention, of discrimination, and of memory, are but half employed, but half awake. And why is this the case? It is because they have no love to the truth, no deep impression of its value, no earnest desire of attaining Divine knowledge; their hearts are not engaged in the study of the word of God.

Mark now the difference between persons of this character, and such as are deriving from the treasures of Divine truth their highest intellectual delights. These love the truth:

it touches their hearts; it interests their affections; and thus the heart acts as the main spring of the intellect. It aids the operations of the powers of knowledge, "not indeed by any direct influence, but by means of a powerful and pleasurable excitement, which keeps the mind steady to its object." When this is not the case, the attention becomes languid; it is perpetually interrupted, and with difficulty recalled. The truths inviting its regard may be nothing less than those which pertain to the glorious redemption of the Son of God, the value of the immortal soul, the felicities of the heavenly world; yet the mind may still be listless, because the heart is not impressed. When, on the other hand, the affections are engaged; oh, what interest is felt, what attention is excited, what feelings are awakened, what pleasures are enjoyed! The Lord grant that your experience may elucidate the meaning, and attest the importance of the distinctions thus traced; and may the Spirit of light and of love impart to you, in rich abundance, these sacred delights!

Contemplate the pleasurable influence of the affections,

2. On the performance of the duties of holiness.

If we be "fervent in spirit," it will be easy and delightful to be engaged in "serving the Lord." Rom. xii. 11. As the appetites of hunger and thirst prompt us to partake of food, without waiting for the slower and more calm considerations of reason; so the affec

« ZurückWeiter »