And those that are confirmed Christians indeed, do joyfully entertain it, and long to see their glorified Lord, and the blessed Majesty of their great Creator. 10. It causeth men to love all sanctified persons with a special love of complacency, and all mankind with a love of benevolence; even to love our neighbours as our selves, and to abhor that selfishness which would engage us against our neighbours good. 11. It causeth men to love their enemies, and to forgive and forbear, and to avoid all unjust and unmerciful revenge. It maketh men meek, long-suffering and patient, though not impassionate, insensible, or void of that anger,1 which is the necessary opposer of sin and folly. 12. It employeth men in doing all the good they can: it maketh them long for the holiness and happiness of one another's souls, and desirous to do good to those that are in need, according to our power. 13. This true Regeneration by the Spirit of Christ, doth make those Superiors that hath it, even Princes, Magistrates, Parents and Masters, to Rule those under them in holiness, love and justice, with self-denial; seeking more the pleasing of God, and the happiness of their Subjects, for soul and body, than any carnal selfish interest of their own: and therefore it must needs be the blessing of that happy Kingdom, Society or Family, which hath such a holy Governor, (O that they were not so few!) 14. It maketh subjects, and children, and servants, submissive, and conscionable in all the duties of their Relations; and to honour their Superiors as the Officers of God,2 and to obey them in all just subordination to him. 15. It causeth men to love Justice, and to do as they would be done by, and to desire the welfare of the souls, bodies, estates and honour of their neighbours as their own. 16. It causeth men to subdue their appetites, and lusts, and fleshly desires, and to set up the government of God and sanctified Reason over them; and to take their flesh for that greatest enemy (in our corrupted state) which we must chiefly watch against, and master, as ⟨p. 282⟩being a Rebel against God and Reason. It alloweth a man so much sensitive pleasure as God forbiddeth not, and as tendeth to the holiness of the soul, and furthereth us in God's service; and all the rest it rebuketh and resisteth. 17.
And those that are confirmed Christians indeed, do joyfully entertain it, and long to see their glorified Lord, and the blessed Majesty of their great Creator. 10. It causeth men to love all sanctified persons with a special love of complacency, and all mankind with a love of benevolence; even to love our neighbours as our selves, and to abhor that selfishness which would engage us against our neighbours good. 11. It causeth men to love their enemies, and to forgive and forbear, and to avoid all unjust and unmerciful revenge. It maketh men meek, long-suffering and patient, though not impassionate, insensible, or void of that anger,1 which is the necessary opposer of sin and folly. 12. It employeth men in doing all the good they can: it maketh them long for the holiness and happiness of one another's souls, and desirous to do good to those that are in need, according to our power. 13. This true Regeneration by the Spirit of Christ, doth make those Superiours that hath it, even Princes, Magistrates, Parents and Masters, to Rule those under them in holiness, love and justice, with self-denial; seeking more the pleasing of God, and the happiness of their Subjects, for soul and body, than any carnal selfish interest of their own: and therefore it must needs be the blessing of that happy Kingdom, Society or Family, which hath such a holy Governour, (O that they were not so few!) 14. It maketh subjects, and children, and servants, submissive, and conscionable in all the duties of their Relations; and to honour their Superiours as the Officers of God,2 and to obey them in all just subordination to him. 15. It causeth men to love Justice, and to do as they would be done by, and to desire the welfare of the souls, bodies, estates and honour of their neighbours as their own. 16. It causeth men to subdue their adpetites, and lusts, and fleshly desires, and to set up the government of God and sanctified Reason over them; and to take their flesh for that greatest enemy (in our corrupted state) which we must chiefly watch against, and master, as ⟨p. 282⟩being a Rebel against God and Reason. It alloweth a man so much sensitive pleasure as God forbiddeth not, and as tendeth to the holiness of the soul, and furthereth us in God's service; and all the rest it rebuketh and resisteth. 17.
- 1Apud Christianos, non qui patitur, sed qui facit injuriam miser est. H•e•on.
- 2Sanctitatis causa servanda sunt, pudicitia corporis, castitas animae, & veritas doctrinae. Aug. ibid.
