Which begins to treat of the first affections of the will.
Describes the nature of joy and makes a distinction between the
things in which the will can rejoice.
THE first of the passions of the soul and affections of the
will is joy, which, in so far as concerns that which we propose to
say about it, is naught else than a satisfaction of the will
together with esteem for something which it considers desirable;
for the will never rejoices save when an object affords it
appreciation and satisfaction. This has reference to active joy,
which arises when the soul clearly and distinctly understands the
reason for its rejoicing, and when it is in its own power to
rejoice or not. There is another and a passive joy, a condition in
which the will may find itself rejoicing without understanding
clearly and distinctly the reason for its rejoicing, and which
also occurs at times when it does understand this; but it is not
in the soul's power to rejoice or not. Of this condition we shall
speak hereafter. For the present we shall speak of joy when it is
active and voluntary and arises from things that are distinct and
clear.
2. Joy may arise from six kinds of good things or
blessings,[536] namely: temporal, natural, sensual, moral,
supernatural and spiritual. Of these we shall speak in their
order, controlling the will with regard to them so that it may not
be encumbered by them and fail to place the strength of its joy in
God. To this end it is well to presuppose one fundamental truth,
which will be as a staff whereon we should ever lean as we
progress; and it will be well to have understood it, because it is
the light whereby we should be guided and whereby we may
understand this doctrine, and direct our rejoicing in all these
blessings to God. This truth is that the will must never rejoice
save only in that which is to the honour and glory of God; and
that the greatest honour we can show to Him is that of serving Him
according to evangelical perfection; and anything that has naught
to do with this is of no value and profit to man.
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