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from Commentaries of Heaven
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2015
Abhorrence
Its Original
GOD implanted Abhorrence in the Mind of Man, that he might be more Secured in the Possession of His Happiness. It is the Effect of Self-lov, arising upon a Sence of evil. It floweth from the Principle of Self-Preservation, which is Engraven in all our Natures. For it is impossible for us to lov our selvs, and not to hate those things that are Hurtfull to us.
Its Nature
It is that Passion by which the Soul rejecteth what is Hurtfull. It is a certain Opposition of the Spirits, wherby the Soul retireth into it self, and excludeth what it loaths. It is not only the Bulwark of present Happiness, but the Wing wherby the Soul doth flie away from Evil.
Its Objects in general
The Object of Abhorrence is always Evil; at least to the Understanding of Him that abhorreth it. For it is founded in a Sence of Enmity and Danger, and floweth in Part from the Nature of what is Hurtfull.
Its Extent
It is seated in a Centre if we respect the place wherin it lies, but extends it self to all Objects in Heaven and in Earth. That is, if we respect the Facultie, it can abhor all that is evil in any Object: tho in Act, it only abhorreth what is Evil. It is able to penetrat the Centre, and to Search and See whether there be any evil there, to look into the Nature of Angels and to survey their Actions: to be present in all Kingdoms, Ages, Islands, Cities, Continents, Villages, etc. It can behold Hell; and see into Heaven, ponder the Nature of the Stars, and perhaps expand it self to all Infinitie. That is, were there an Object infinitly evil, it is a Facultie able to Detest it: and the more for being infinit.
Its Objects in particular
The Soul can abhor the fall of Lucifer in Heaven, the fall of Adam in paradice the murder of Cain, the Rebellion of the old World, the Cruelty of Pharaoh, the Obduratness of Israel the Golden Calf, the murder of Naboth, the Ingratitud of Solomon, the Treason of Judas, and the flames of hell, as if all these were this moment in acting.
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