Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

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⟩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 shew what is the unfeigned genuine Love of the Brethren, to which Salvation is annex'd, to confirm the humble sincere Christian, and undeceive presuming Hypocrites.

The great Design of St. John in this Epistle, is to excite and inflame in Christians the Love of God, and of their Brethren, the two comprehensive Duties, and bright Sum of the Law, our principal Perfections in Heaven and Earth. These he recommends by the most affectionate and obliging, the most warming, melting Persuasives; the superlative Love of God to us, and our Communion with the Saints in Nature and Grace.