Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

When Excellence espouses evidently some great Interests and Designs, such as the recovery of lost Souls, the reparation of declined Holiness, the shaming and abandoning of all Sin, the utter extirpation of Satan's Interest and Kingdom, the erecting of his Gospel, House and Kingdom, the Exaltation of his Son, and the Edification of his Children in Christian Knowledge, Holiness and Comfort; and in all things fit to make them acceptable to himself, and approved of men; and to make them regular and easy in themselves. When God designs and prosecutes the spreading of the Gospel, the Sanctification of his Name in and before the eyes of all, and the completing the Divine Life, and Nature in his own: What then can be the formal Act of Love, hereto in us, but the endearment and espousal of these things to us, as matters of the highest consequence and importance to the World, the Church and us, and as things more valuable and delightful to us, in our contemplations and pursuits thereof, than all our personal Interests and Pleasures in this World? 7. When Excellence communicates it self discernibly to others, then Love rejoices in this Gift and Grace to them. 8. When Excellence appears communicable to others, and that through one another as appointed means and instruments for this end, then Love is so far thankful, and it covets, enterprises, designs and prosecutes the thing, and so it grieves or joyfully Triumphs, as it discerns the matter to succeed or to be defeated or delayed; and it forms, and cherishes, and exerts it Sympathies accordingly. 9. When Excellence is rivalled, confronted, and opposed, then Love turns Jealous and Enraged; and puts on fortitude, and resolution to stand by it's darling Object and concerns, in all the Agonies of Contention for them, which they need; and notwithstanding all the hazards, cost and difficulties which attend them. And 10. It accounts, and uses all as Friends or Enemies, as they appear against or for it's Object.

When Excellence espouses evidently some great Interests and Designs, such as the recovery of lost Souls, the reparation of declined Holiness, the shaming and abandoning of all Sin, the utter extirpation of Satans Interest and Kingdom, the erecting of his Gospel, House and Kingdom, the Exaltation of his Son, and the Edification of his Children in Christian Knowledge, Holiness and Comfort; and in all things fit to make them acceptable to himself, and approved of men; and to make them regular and easie in themselves. When God designs and prosecutes the spreading of the Gospel, the Sanctification of his Name in and before the eyes of all, and the compleating the Divine Life, and Nature in his own: What then can be the formal Act of Love, hereto in us, but the endearment and espousal of these things to us, as matters of the highest consequence and importance to the World, the Church and us, and as things more valuable and delightful to us, in our contemplations and pursuits thereof, than all our personal Interests and Pleasures in this World? 7. When Excellence communicates it self discernibly to others, then Love rejoyces in this Gift and Grace to them. 8. When Excellence appears communicable to others, and that through one another as appointed means and instruments for this end, then Love is so far thankful, and it covets, enterprizes, designs and prosecutes the thing, and so it grieves or joyfully Triumphs, as it discerns the matter to succeed or to be defeated or delayed; and it forms, and cherishes, and exerts it Sympathies accordingly. 9. When Excellence is rivall'd, confronted, and opposed, then Love turns Jealous and Enraged; and puts on fortitude, and resolution to stand by it's darling Object and concerns, in all the Agonies of Contention for them, which they need; and notwithstanding all the hazards, cost and difficulties which attend them. And 10. It accounts, and uses all as Friends or Enemies, as they appear against or for it's Object.