Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

2. You trample upon the great Precept of the Gospel, which is Love. 1 Joh. 3.23. And this is his Commandment, that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us Commandment. See here, Commandment in the beginning of the Verse, and Commandment again in the end of it; and then it's joined, and goes hand in hand with Faith in Jesus Christ; so that you may as safely be without the one as without the other. And again 1 Joh. 4.21. And this Commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. Now what Love can there be in the Heart, when there is nothing but reproach, contempt and rage, in the Tongue, in the Pen, and in the Carriage? It is certain, That out of the abundance of the Heart, the Tongue speaks; and the Lungs must needs be corrupt within, when such purulent matter is expectorated. Say not, that your Love to the Truth, or to the Public Good, must regulate your behaviour to particular Persons: For neither the Truth nor the Public good do need your uncharitable words or behaviour. Our Blessed Saviour had great Truths to declare, and great Errors to oppose, yet He did not strive, nor cry, neither did any man hear his Voice in the streets, Mat. 12.19. And as Lactantius argued with the Heathens, Vel Ethnici Christianos sapientes judicant, vel stultos; tamen non vel sapientes imitantur, vel stultis parcunt. So either your Opposites are either wise or foolish: If wise, you should comply with them, respect and reverence them; if foolish, you should forbear and pity them: But whatsoever they are, you ought entirely to love them.

2. You trample upon the great Precept of the Gospel, which is Love. 1 Joh. 3.23. And this is his Commandment, that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us Commandment. See here, Commandment in the beginning of the Verse, and Commandment again in the end of it; and then it's joyn'd, and goes hand in hand with Faith in Jesus Christ; so that you may as safely be without the one as without the other. And again 1 Joh. 4.21