ing marks of the work of the Spirit of God, including both his common, and his saving influences; but what I have now in view, is to describe the nature of the gracious operations of the Holy Spirit, and to point out the peculiar signs by which they are distinguished from every thing besides, of which the mind of man can possibly be the subject. If I have succeeded in any tolerable degree, I hope this work will tend to promote the interest of religion. And whether I have succeeded or not, I hope, through the mercy of a gracious God, to obtain from him the acceptance of my endeavours, and from the real followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, their candour and their prayers.

CONTENTS.

PART FIRST.
On the Nature of the Affections, and their Im-

portance in Religion,

13

PART SECOND.
On those Things which afford no decisive Ev-

idence, either that our Affections in relation
to Religious Things are truly gracious; or
that they are not,

44

PART THIRD.
On the distinguishing Signs of truly gracious,
and Holy Affections,

104
Sign I. Truly gracious Affections are produc-.

ed by supernatural, spiritual, and divine
influences on the heart,

108
II. The first objective ground of gracious

Affections is the TRANSCENDENTLY EXCEL-
LENT, and AMIABLE NATURE of divine things,
abstractedly considered ; and not any con-
ceived relation they bear to ourselves, or
to our own interest,

139

O

III. That excellency in divine things, which

is the first objective ground of gracious
Affections, is their MORAL BEAUTY,

151.
IV. In the production of gracious Affections,

our minds are so enlightened, that we ob.
tain proper and spiritual views of divine
things,

160
V. Gracious Affections are attended by a ra-

tional and spiritual conviction, respecting

the truth and reality of divine things, 179
VI. Gracious Affections are attended by eyan-
gelical humiliation,

196
VII. Gracious Affections are attended by a
change of nature or disposition,

219
VIII. Gracious Affections are attended by

the same spirit and temper which were
manifested by Jesus Christ,

223
IX. Gracious Affections soften the heart, and

are accompanied by a Christian tenderness
of spirit,

235
X. Gracious Affections possess a beautiful

240
symmetry,
XI. Gracious Affections, the higher they are

raised, the more is a spiritual appetite in-
creased,

248
XIJ. Gracious Affections are practical in
their exercises and effects,

253