Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

SERMON III.

1 JOHN V. 2. By this we know we are the Children of God, if we love God, and keep his Commandments.

OF all the Marks that are useful in the Trial of our Spiritual State in reference to Eternity, there is none affords a more clear and comfortable Assurance of God's special and saving Mercy, than Love to the Saints. This has often resolved the Doubts, and quieted the Fears of afflicted enquiring Souls, when other Graces have not been so apprehensible in their Operations. But there is no Mark which the deceitful Heart does more securely ⟨p. 96⟩rest upon, through the mistake of Natural Human Love for that which is Spiritual and Divine: It is therefore most worthy our serious Thoughts, the Deceit being so easy and infinitely dangerous, to show what is the unfeigned genuine Love of the Brethren, to which Salvation is annexed, to confirm the humble sincere Christian, and undeceive presuming Hypocrites.

OF all the Marks that are useful in the Trial of our Spiritual State in reference to Eternity, there is none affords a more clear and comfortable Assurance of God's special and saving Mercy, than Love to the Saints. This has often resolved the Doubts, and quieted the Fears of afflicted enquiring Souls, when other Graces have not been so apprehensible in their Operations. But there is no Mark which the deceitful Heart does more securely ⟨p. 96⟩