 |
The Religious Affections (or A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections) This book is among the best-known works of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards seeks to distinguish between true and false religion by showing the marks of a saving work of the Holy Spirit in men. Although this book is considered a bit challenging due to the 18th century style of writing and loaded theology, it is a book that speaks to the heart of anyone who earnestly desires to follow Christ. The book not only demands a response, but it cannot be read without impacting the reader. Table Of Contents PREFACE PART 1: CONCERNING THE NATURE OF THE AFFECTIONS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE IN RELIGION SECTION I - What the affections of the mind are SECTION II - Evidence that true religion in great part consists in the affections SECTION III - Some inferences deduced from the doctrine PART 2: SHOWING WHAT ARE NO CERTAIN SIGNS THAT RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS ARE GRACIOUS, OR THAT THEY ARE NOT SECTION I - That religious affections are very great, or raised very high, is no sign SECTION II - That they have great effects on the body, is no sign SECTION III - That they cause those who have them to be fluent, fervent, and abundant, in talking of the things of religion, is no sign SECTION IV - That persons did not excite them of their own contrivance and by their own strength, is no sign SECTION V - That they come with texts of Scripture, remarkably brought to the mind, is no sign SECTION VI - That there is an appearance of love in them, is no sign SECTION VII - Persons having religious affections of many kinds, accompanying one another, is no sign SECTION VIII - That comforts and joys seem to follow awakenings and convictions of conscience, in a certain order, is no sign SECTION IX - That they dispose persons to spend much time in religion, and to be zealously engaged in the external duties of worship, is no sign SECTION X - That they much dispose persons with their mouths to praise and glorify God, is no sign SECTION XI - That they make persons that have them exceeding confident that what they experience is divine, and that they are in a good estate, is no sign SECTION XII - That the outward manifestations of them, and the relation persons give of them, are very affecting and pleasing to the godly, is no sign PART 3: SHOWING WHAT ARE DISTINGUISHING SIGNS OF TRULY GRACIOUS AND HOLY AFFECTIONS INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON PART 3 SECTION I - Truly gracious affections arise from divine influences and operations on the heart SECTION II - Their ground is the excellent nature of divine things, not self-interest SECTION III - They are founded on the loveliness of the moral excellency of divine things SECTION IV - They arise from the mind's being enlightened to understand or apprehend divine things SECTION V - They are attended with a conviction of the reality and certainty of divine things SECTION VI - They are attended with evangelical humiliation SECTION VII - They are attended with a change of nature SECTION VIII - They are attended with the lamblike, dovelike spirit and temper of Jesus Christ SECTION IX - They are attended with a Christian tenderness of spirit SECTION X - They have beautiful symmetry and proportion SECTION XI - The higher they are raised, the more is a longing of soul after spiritual attainments increased SECTION XII - They have their exercise and fruit in Christian practice SECTION XIII - Christian practice and holy life is a sign of sincerity to others SECTION XIV - Christian practice is the chief evidence to ourselves, much to be preferred to the method of the first convictions, enlightenings, comforts, or any immanent discoveries or exercises of grace whatsoever |
||