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not be wondered at, that a
congregation should need a guide in such cases, to assist them in
distinguishing wheat from chaff. But such impressions on the
imaginations as have been more usual seem to me to be plainly no other
than what is to be expected in human nature in such circumstances, and
what is the natural result of the strong exercise of the mind, and
impressions on the heart.
I do not suppose, that they themselves imagine they saw any thing with
their bodily eyes; but only have had within them ideas strongly
impressed, and as it were lively pictures in their minds. For instance,
some when in great terrors, through fear of hell, have had lively ideas
of a dreadful furnace. Some, when their hearts have been strongly
impressed, and their affections greatly moved with a sense of the beauty
and excellency of Christ, have had their imaginations so wrought upon,
that, together, with a sense of His glorious spiritual perfections,
there has arisen in the mind an idea of One of glorious majesty, and of
a sweet and gracious aspect. Some, when they have been greatly affected
with Christ's death, have at the same time a lively idea of Christ
hanging upon the cross, and His blood running from His wounds. Surely
such things will not be wondered at by them who have observed how any
strong affections about temporal matters will excite lively ideas and
pictures of different things in the mind.
The vigorous exercises of the mind, doubtless, more strongly impress it
with imaginary ideas in some than others, which probably may arise from
the difference of constitution, and seems evidently in some, partly to
arise from their peculiar circumstances. When persons have been
exercised with extreme terrors, and there is a sudden change to light
and joy, the imagination seems more susceptive of strong ideas; the
inferior powers, and even the frame of the body, are much more affected,
than when the same persons have as great spiritual light and joy
afterwards; of which it might, p
Eveline
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