Chap. IV - Of the Powers … Soul

Summary

Of the Powers and Affections of the Soul; What virtues pertain to the Estate of Innocency; what to the Estate of Grace; what to the estate of Glory.

TWO things in Felicity are apparent to the Eye, Glory and Treasure; and the Faculties of the soul do in a several manner affect both. The Understanding was made to see the value of our Treasure; and the freedome of Will, to atcheive Glory to our actions; Anger, to stir us up against all Difficulty, and opposition, that might stand in our ways; Appetite, to pursue the Pleasure in either; Fear, to heighten our concernment, that we might more dread the danger of losing that Happiness, wherein no less then Glory and Treasure are infinitely united: Reason it self, to compare Felicities and weigh which is the most perfect. Desire, to covet it; Hope, to encourage us in the pursuit of it; Aversion, for the avoiding of all Temptations and Impediments; Love, to the goodness of it; Joy, for its fruition; Hatred, to keep us from the Misery which is contrary thereunto; Boldness, to attempt it; Sorrow and Despair, to punish and torment us, if we fail to attain it. For these two, being unpleasant affections, serve to engage us in the pursuit of Happiness, because we are loath to experience the Sence of such Troublesome passions.

AMBITION and Covetousness are Inclinations of the Soul, by the one of which we are carried to Glory, by the other to Treasure. And as all the rest, so may these be made either Vertues, or Vices: Vertues when they are Means conducive to the Highest end; Vices when they distract and entangle us with inferior Objects.

THE Inclinations and affections of the Soul may be Defective or excessive in their exercise towards Objects. In relation to the Highest Object there is no danger of excess. We can never too violently either love or desire our Supream Happiness; our Hope can never exceed its greatness, we can never too much rejoyce in the fruition of it; Nor can we exceed in Anger or Hatred against those Things, that would bereave us of it; or too much fear the Misery of that Life, which will be ever without it; or be affected with too much Sorrow and Despair at the Losse of it.