Cant. viii. 6,7. no occafion can be found, by which it may give full proof of it's activity and ardour. When we are touched with this fentiment, we shall no longer complain of hardships in religion; nor want to know, how near we may approach with safety toward the violation of a commandment. But how much foever we do, we fhall never think we have done, or can do enough; but shall be always preffing forward, and afpiring to more, and still higher expreffions of affection and gratitude. Obftructions will but increase our ardour: as a strong flame is made more fierce, by the fame wind which extinguifheth a small one. Love is frong as death. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can the floods drown it. If a man would give all the fubftance fubftance of his houfe for love, it would utterly be contemned. Riches cannot purchase love; but love infpires it. The highest inftance of affection is the love of enemies, That of Jesus Christ to men. Reflect upon this love; fet it before your eyes; defire at least to be sensible of it, and to feel kindling in your own heart, a return for that infinite affection; We love him, be- 1 John iv. cause he first loved us. 19. Cherish this fpark, by fobriety and virtue, by meditation and prayer, and felf denial; and especially by acts of charity, and compaffion, and forgiveness to mankind, to the least, and lowest, and worst: till the love of God be perfected in John ii. you, and that birth finished, by which 2 Cor. v. you will become a new creature; as the Scripture faith, Every one that loveth is 1 John iv. born of God. 17. 7. Then |