Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

And let me add this also, the beauties and delightfulness of holiness and practical Religion as exemplified in holy persons, those excellent ones in whom is my delight. saith David, Psal. xvi. 3. O to observe them in all their curious imitations and resemblances of their God, in the Wisdom of their Conduct, the fervours of their Spirits, the steadiness of their purposes, the evenness of their tempers, the usefulness and blamelessness of their lives, the loftiness of their aims, the placed gravity ⟨image 158⟩of their Looks, the savour and obligingness of their Speeches, the generous largeness of their Hearts, the openness of their Hands, the impartiality of their Thoughts, the tenderness of their Bowels, and all the sweetnesses of their Deportments towards all. Such things are really, where Christian Godliness obtains indeed. Tho mere pretenders, or real Christians in their decays and swoons, may represent Religion under its eclipses to it's great disadvantage and reproach. When therefore we contemplate all these excellencies, (and many more not mentioned) will not our Hearts take fire and burn with love of Complacency, where these things are visible; and with the Love of benevolence, and beneficence to that degree, towards those that are receptive of, but want them, which shall enrage Desires, and Prayers, and quicken us to diligent endeavours after what by such may be attained unto, were they but closely and warmly followed by us, and brought to the diligent pursuits thereof. Thus you see, deep thoughts about lovely Objects will get up love, and cure luke-warmness in us to the purpose. Let this then be done.

And let me add this also, the beauties and delightfulness of holiness and practical Religion as exemplified in holy persons, those excellent ones in whom is my delight. saith David, Psal. xvi. 3. O to observe them in all their curious imitations and resemblances of their God, in the Wisdom of their Conduct, the fervours of their Spirits, the steadiness of their purposes, the evenness of their tempers, the usefulness and blamelessness of their lives, the loftiness of their aims, the placed gravity ⟨image 158⟩of their Looks, the savour and obligingness of their Speeches, the generous largeness of their Hearts, the openness of their Hands, the impartiality of their Thoughts, the tenderness of their Bowels, and all the sweetnesses of their Deportments towards all. Such things are really, where Christian Godliness obtains indeed. Tho meer pretenders, or real Christians in their decays and swoons, may represent Religion under its eclipses to it's great disadvantage and reproach. When therefore we contemplate all these excellencies, (and many more not mentioned) will not our Hearts take fire and burn with love of Complacency, where these things are visible; and with the Love of benevolence, and beneficence to that degree, towards those that are receptive of, but want them, which shall enrage Desires, and Prayers, and quicken us to diligent endeavours after what by such may be attained unto, were they but closely and warmly followed by us, and brought to the diligent pursuits thereof. Thus you see, deep thoughts about lovely Objects will get up love, and cure luke-warmness in us to the purpose. Let this then be done.