O how highly are we apt to think of all that Good which is found in those who are the highest esteemers of us, and most dearly love us; when perhaps in it self it is but some ordinary good, or ordinary degree of goodness which is in them! Their Love to us unresistibly procureth our Love to them: And when we Love them, it is wonderful to observe, how easily we are brought to think well of almost all they do, and highly to value their judgements, graces, parts and works: when greater excellencies in another perhaps are scarce observed, or regarded but as a common thing: And therefore the destruction or want of Love, is apparent in the vilifying thoughts and speeches, that most men have of one another; and in the low esteem of the judgements, and performances and lives of other men: (much more in their contempt, reproaches and cruel persecutions.) Now though God will have us increase in our Love of Christ in his members, and in our pure Love of Christians as such, and in our common charity to all, yea and in our just fidelity to our friend; yet would he have us suspect and moderate our selfish and excessive Love, and inordinate partial esteem of one above another, when it is but for our selves, and on our own account. And therefore as he will make us know, that we our selves are no such excellent persons, as that it should make another so laudable, or advance his worth, because he Loveth us; so he will make us know, that our friends whom we overvalue, are but like other men: If we exalt them too highly in our esteem, it is a sign that God must cast them down. And as their Love to us was it that made us so exalt them; so their unkindness or unfaithfulness to us, is the fittest means to bring them lower in our estimation and affection. God is very jealous of our hearts, as to our overvaluing and overloving any of his Creatures: what we give inordinately and excessively to them, is some way or other taken from him, and given them to his injury, and therefore to ⟨p. 318⟩his offence. Though I know that to be void of natural, friendly or social affections, is an odious extreme on the other side; yet God will rebuke us if we are guilty of excess. And it's the greater and more inexcusable fault to over-love the Creature, because our Love to God is so cold, and hardly kindled and kept alive:
O how highly are we apt to think of all that Good which is found in those who are the highest esteemers of us, and most dearly love us; when perhaps in it self it is but some ordinary good, or ordinary degree of goodness which is in them! Their Love to us unresistibly procureth our Love to them: And when we Love them, it is wonderful to observe, how easily we are brought to think well of almost all they do, and highly to value their judgements, graces, parts and works: when greater excellencies in another perhaps are scarce observed, or regarded but as a common thing: And therefrre the destruction or want of Love, is apparent in the vilifying thoughts and speeches, that most men have of one another; and in the low esteem of the judgements, and performances and lives of other men: (much more in their contempt, reproaches and cruel persecutions.) Now though God will have us encrease in our Love of Christ in his members, and in our pure Love of Christians as such, and in our common charity to all, yea and in our just fidelity to our friend; yet would he have us suspect and moderate our selfish and excessive Love, and inordinate partial esteem of one above another, when it is but for our selves, and on our own account. And therefore as he will make us know, that we our selves are no such excellent persons, as that it should make another so laudable, or advance his worth, because he Loveth us; so he will make us know, that our friends whom we overvalue, are but like other men: If we exalt them too highly in our esteem, it is a sign that God must cast them down. And as their Love to us was it that made us so exalt them; so their unkindness or unfaithfulness to us, is the fittest means to bring them lower in our estimation and affection. God is very jealous of our hearts, as to our overvaluing and overloving any of his Creatures: what we give inordinately and excessively to them, is some way or other taken from him, and given them to his injury, and therefore to ⟨p. 318⟩his offence. Though I know that to be void of natural, friendly or social affections, is an odious extream on the other side; yet God will rebuke us if we are guilty of excess. And it's the greater and more inexcusable fault to over-love the Creature, because our Love to God is so cold, and hardly kindled and kept alive:
