The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

Mark 1. To love a good man as he is good, and bears the image of God, is such a part and branch of new obedience, as whereby a man may be assured, that the Lord hath marked him out to eternal life: for naturally we hate all goodness, as that which is a secret condemner ⟨p. 279⟩of us, and is opposite to our nature: so that when we love the Brethren for goodness sake, it is an argument that we are crept out of our natural estate, 1 John 3.14.¹ We know that we are translated from death unto life, because we love the brethren; he that loveth not his brother, abideth in death, 1 John 4.7.² Beloved, let us love one another, for love cometh of God, and every one that loveth, is borne of God, and knoweth God, 1 John 5.1.³ Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. Now lest our hearts deceive us, we must be wise to try, whether we love good men for the goodness that is in them, or for some carnal respects; as either for that there is an agreement and similitude betwixt our natural inclinations, or for some civill qualities, natural dexterities that we observe in them, as pleasing to us, or for their bounty to us, or for their outward greatness in the world. Observe therefore thy self, whether thou love goodness, where it is stripped of all these fleshly respects.

Marke 1. To love a good man as hee is good, and beares the image of God, is such a part and branch of new obedience, as whereby a man may be assured, that the Lord hath marked him out to eternall life: for naturally wee hate all goodnesse, as that which is a secret condemner ⟨p. 279⟩