Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

That we Christians, be so considered each by other, as that Christian Excellencies be observed to mutual Inflammations of Endearments where they are; that Christian Principles and Affections may be awakened, invigorated and advanced, where they are dormant, idle or decayed, and that accordingly those Gospel means and helps be valued duly and pertinently applied and improved, which may reduce us to, and keep us in the fervours and vigours of our Christian love, that so the love of our espousals may fix and centre in the God of Love, and have its orderly and kindly Circulations and Diffusions through the whole Body, and every thing abhorred, resisted, and rejected, that shall or would attempt a rape thereon. For towards these glorious and lovely ⟨image 148⟩Objects, there should be no indifference, nor cold affections, nor the least possibility of a divorce therefrom, that we by any Diligence, Providence, or Resolution can prevent. Whatever as to Things and Persons, is really and evidently of God and for him, be it in us, with us, or about us, must not sit loosely on our Hearts, for it is the Christian Religion, as it imprinciples Souls for God, and Christ, and forms them after God, and Christ, and keeps them faithful and proficient in their practical devotedness to the Divine design upon us, that fits us for, and keeps us in the State and Spirit of endearment unto God, ii Pet. i. 2. — 11. and that must imprinciple, and actuate our reciprocal affections and endearments each towards other. See i Cor. vii. 19. and Gal. vi. 15. and v. 6. ii Cor. v. 16. — 18. Parties and Persons, no nor eccentrical Opinions, nor Magisterial Impositions of dividing terms of Concord, in pretence and show, nor multitudes of Proselytes to our novel darling self-conceited Notions; such things as these cannot commend us unto God: why should they then be thought luke-warm, whose fervours draw not forth themselves upon such pitiful, mean, unworthy things? Rom. xiv. 17. — 19. The Kingdom of God, and Christ must be endeared to us, with all the Subjects of that Kingdom, in all their universally holding Principles, and Interests. And the great fervours, vigours and effects of Love must be directed to, and settled upon these objects, proportionably to their excellencies and postures towards us, and our concerns with them, and Relations to them. This for the Objects.