Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

There is but one Difficulty to be removed, that the Force of the Apostle's reasoning may appear; 'tis this, a Medium to prove a thing must be a clearer Evidence than what is concluded by it: Now tho a Demonstration from the Cause be more noble and scientifical, yet that which is drawn from the Effect, is more near to Sense, and more discernible. And this is verified in the Instance before us; for the Love of God, who is absolutely spiritual in his Being and Excellencies, doth not with that sensible Fervour affect and passionately transport us, as Love to his Children, with whom we visibly converse, and who are receptive of the most sensible Testimonies of our Affection. Accordingly the Apostle argues, He that loves not his Brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? As the Motives to love our Brethren, from our Conjunction in ⟨p. 99⟩Nature, and familiar Conversation, are more capable to allure our Affections, and more sensibly strike the Heart than the invisible Deity, who is infinitely above us; by the same reason we may more easily judg of the truth of our Love to them, than of our Love to God. To this the Answer is clear; the Apostle doth not speak of the Love of God, as a still, silent, contemplative Affection, confined to the superior Faculty of the Soul, but as a burning, shining Affection (like Fire^*) active and declarative of it self in those Effects that necessarily flow from it, that is voluntary Obedience to his Commands; and thus it becomes manifest to the renewed Conscience, and is a most convincing Proof of the Sincerity of our Love to the Saints.

There is but one Difficulty to be removed, that the Force of the Apostle's reasoning may appear; 'tis this, a Medium to prove a thing must be a clearer Evidence than what is concluded by it: Now tho a Demonstration from the Cause be more noble and scientifical, yet that which is drawn from the Effect, is more near to Sense, and more discernable. And this is verified in the Instance before us; for the Love of God, who is absolutely spiritual in his Being and Excellencies, doth not with that sensible Fervour affect and passionately transport us, as Love to his Children, with whom we visibly converse, and who are receptive of the most sensible Testimonies of our Affection. Accordingly the Apostle argues, He that loves not his Brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? As the Motives to love our Brethren, from our Conjunction in