superiority of his reason. Such was the commanding
attitude his reason assumed, and such the tremendous
power with which it controlled the whole man, that
any insurrection among his senses was hopeless; they
had their tenure only by doing fealty and homage to
his intellect. Those other and more dangerous
enemies, because more subtle and more spiritual, such
as pride, vanity, wrath, and envy, which lurk in the
inmost recesses of our nature, and some of which have
such affinities for a genius like that of Edwards,
yield not to such exorcism. Such more powerful
kind of demons go not forth but by prayer and fasting;
to their complete mortification, therefore, Edwards
brought incessant watchfulness and devotion; and seldom,
assuredly, have they been more nearly expelled from
the bosom of a depraved intelligence.’
We shall be in the best company, both intellectually
and spiritually, if we work out our own salvation among
the sinful passions of our depraved hearts. And
then, as life goes on, and we continue in well-doing,
we shall be able to measure and register our growth
in grace best by watching the effect of outward temptations
upon our still sinful and but half-sanctified hearts.
And among much to be humbled for, and much to make
us fear and tremble for the issue, we shall, from
time to time, have a good conscience and a holy and
humble joy that this passion and that is at last showing
some signs of crucifixion and mortification.
And thus that death to sin shall gradually set in
which shall issue at last in an everlasting life unto
holiness.
’Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you,
and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness,
and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A
new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will
I put within you . . . Behold, I have caused
thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe
thee with change of raiment. In that day there
shall be a fountain opened to the house of David,
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for
uncleanness . . . Bring forth the best robe and
put it upon him, for this my son was dead, and is
alive again; he was lost, and is found . . .
What are these that are arrayed in white robes, and
whence came they? These are they which came
out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes,
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’
PATIENCE
‘In your patience possess
ye your souls.’ (Revised Version: ’In
your
patience ye shall win your souls.’)—Our
Lord.
’I saw moreover in my dream that the Interpreter
took the pilgrim by the hand, and had him into a little
room, where sate two little children, each one in
his chair. The name of the eldest was Passion
and of the other Patience. Passion seemed to
be much discontent, but Patience was very quiet.
Then Christian asked, What is the reason of the discontent
of Passion? The interpreter answered, The governor
of them would have him stay for his best things till
the beginning of the next year; but he will have all
now. But Patience is willing to wait.’