A26804:138
Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions
Sermons preached on several occasions by William Bates.Sermons preach'd on several occasions by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Jonathan Robinson, 1693
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, Spiritual Love to the Saints arises from the sight of the Divine Image appearing in their Conversation. Now if the Beauty of Holiness be the attractive of our Love, it will be fastened on the Law of God in the most intense degree. The most excellent Saints on Earth have some mixtures of Corruption; their Holiness is like the Morning-light, ⟨p. 124⟩that is checkered with the Shadows and Obscurity of the Night; and 'tis our Wisdom not to love their Infirmities, but to preserve an unstained Affection to them. But the Law of God is the fairest Transcript of his Nature, wherein his glorious Holiness is most resplendent. The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul; 1the Commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the Eyes. This ravished the Heart of David with an inexpressible Affection. O how I love thy Law! it is my Meditation all the 2day. And he repeats the Declaration of his Love to it with new Fervour, upon this ground; I love thy Law, because it is pure. Now Love to the Commands of God will transcribe them in our Hearts and Lives. As affectionate Expressions to the Children of God, without the real supply of their Wants, are but the shadows of Love; so words ⟨p. 125⟩of Esteem and Respect to the Law of God, without unfeigned and universal Obedience, are but an empty Pretence.
Secondly, Spiritual Love to the Saints arises from the sight of the Divine Image appearing in their Conversation. Now if the Beauty of Holiness be the attractive of our Love, it will be fastned on the Law of God in the most intense degree. The most excellent Saints on Earth have some mixtures of Corruption; their Holiness is like the Morninglight, ⟨p. 124⟩that is checker'd with the Shadows and Obscurity of the Night; and 'tis our Wisdom not to love their Infirmities, but to preserve an unstained Affection to them. But the Law of God is the fairest Transcript of his Nature, wherein his glorious Holiness is most resplendent. The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul;