The Author of human nature has not only given affections to men, but has made them the spring of their actions. As the affections not only belong to the human nature, but are a great part of it; so holy affections do not only belong to true religion, but are a very great part of it. And as true religion is of a practical nature, and the affections are the spring of men’s actions, it must consist very much in them.
The affections we see are the springs that set men a going in all the affairs of life.
Take away these, and there would be no activity among mankind, or any earnest pursuit whatsoever. And as in worldly things, worldly affections are the spring of men’s actions; so in religious matters, the spring of their actions are religious affections. He that has doctrinal knowledge only, without affection, never is engaged in the business of religion.
Jonathan Edwards -
The Religious Affections
Gosh, Edwards, you seem to have pretty much nailed it; 250 years early. We rarely have true “religion” without right doctrine. However, we never have true “religion” without right affections.
