Religious Affections in Vol I of the Works - Edwards - X - Part 3 continued

Required reading
Religious affections in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Part 3 by reading Section 7 and 8.

My summary.

This week we are taught about two more things that attend gracious affections:

(i) a change of nature;

(ii) a spirit of love, meekness, quietness, forgiveness, and mercy, as appeared in Christ.

What grabbed me

I liked Edwards defence of the compatibility of boldness and meekness for Christ: 'As some are much mistaken concerning the nature of true boldness for Christ, so they are concerning christian zeal. It is indeed a flame, but a sweet one; or rather it is the heat and fervour of a sweet flame. For the flame of which it is the heat, is no other than that of divine love, or christian charity; which is the sweetest and most benevolent thing that can be, in the heart of man or angel. Zeal is the fervour of this flame, as it ardently and vigorously goes out towards the good that is its object; and so consequently in opposition to the evil that is contrary to, and impedes it. There is indeed opposition, vigorous opposition, that is an attendant of it; but it is against things, and not persons. Bitterness against the persons of men is no part of, but is contrary to it; insomuch that the warmer true zeal is, and the higher it is raised, so much the further are persons from such bitterness, and so much fuller of love both to the evil and to the good. It is no other, in its very nature and essence, than the fervour of christian love. And as to what opposition there is in it to things, it is firstly and chiefly against the evil things in the person himself who has this zeal; against the enemies of God and holiness in his own heart; (as these are most in his view, and what he has most to do with;) and but secondarily against the sins of others. And therefore there is nothing in a true christian zeal contrary to the spirit of meekness, gentleness, and love; the spirit of a little child, a lamb and dove, that has been spoken of; but is entirely agreeable to, and tends to promote it.'

The Christian is zealously meek!

Next week's reading

Continue Part 3 by reading Section 9, 10 and 11.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.