Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

First, The Divine Command requires this Love. These things I command you, saith our Saviour, that ye love one another. This Precept so often ⟨p. 122⟩repeated, and powerfully re-enforced by him, made so deep an Impression on the first Christians, that they had one Heart, and one Soul, and their Estates were common between them. And in the next succeeding Ages, this fraternal Love was so conspicuous in the Professors of his sacred Discipline, that their Enemies observed it as a rare and remarkable thing: See how the Christians love one another! see how ready they are to die ¹for one another! Now the same gracious Principle that inclines us to do one Command, will make us universally willing to observe all; for sincere Obedience primarily respects the Authority of the Lawgiver, which binds the whole Law upon the Conscience. And as he that breaks the Law wilfully in one Point, is guilty of all, because the Violation ²of a single Precept proceeds from the same Cause that induces Men to transgress all, that is, Contempt of ⟨p. 123⟩the Divine Majesty; so he that sincerely obeys one Command, does with consent of Heart, and serious Endeavours obey all. And from hence 'tis clear, that without a religious and unreserved regard of the Divine Commands, 'tis impossible there should be in any Person a gracious Affection to the Saints; that is the product of Obedience to God, and consequently the observance of his Precepts, is the certain Proof of our Love to his Children.

First, The Divine Command requires this Love. These things I command you, saith our Saviour, that ye love one another. This Precept so often ⟨p. 122⟩repeated, and powerfully re-inforc'd by him, made so deep an Impression on the first Christians, that they had one Heart, and one Soul, and their Estates were common between them. And in the next succeeding Ages, this fraternal Love was so conspicuous in the Professors of his sacred Discipline, that their Enemies observ'd it as a rare and remarkable thing: See how the Christians love one another! see how ready they are to die