Religious Affections: True or Not True?

I believe Edwards is setting out to determine what and if all religious affections have validity.

I must admit that I had a difficult time working through these two sections! So forgive me if my thoughts sound jumbled! (although this is the second time I am writing this because my computer messed up while ago! grrrrrr!!!)

A few things I came away with:

AS TRUE BELIEVERS WE SHOULD...

• Not be satisfied where we are but seek to increase in our affections! (If we do not increase in our affections it is evidence that our heart has grown cold toward God!!)
• Experience and express high degrees of joy!
• Experience and express high degrees of gratitude!
• Express a high degree of sorrow for our sin and the sin of the world in which we live!
• Seek spiritual things!!

Love this. "The saints and angels in heaven, that have religion in its highest perfection, are exceedingly affected with what they behold and contemplate of God's perfections and works ... Now the only reason why their affections are so much higher than the holy affections of saints on earth is, they see the things they are affected by more according to their truth, and have their affections more conformed to the nature of things. (favorite part) And therefore, if religious affections in men here below are but of the same nature and kind with theirs, the higher they are, and the nearer they are to theirs in degree,the better, because therein they will be so much the more conformed to truth, as theirs are." Is our affections not suppose to be that great, that we are becoming conformed more to the image of the Truth, the Christ? I think so!

Sidenote: Since beginning the reading of religious Affections I have began to see certain scriptures in a new light? For example 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see that earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what seal, what punishment!" Telitha, have you came across any scriptures in your personal study that as made you think of religious affections?