The practical divinity of the papists discovered to be destructive of Christianity and mens…

But if it be more than needs to love God ^(*)once a week, are they obliged at least to love him once a year, if not at ordinary times, yet upon extraordinary or special occasions, such as more particularly seem to call for some act of Love? When they are to partake of some Sacrament, when they come to the Eucharist, or to the Sacrament of Penance (as they are to do once yearly by their Church orders)? No, it is not then necessary neither; ^(a)it is false saith Navarre, that we are bound to fulfil this Command, when we receive any Sacrament; for it is enough, that we be not in mortal sin, or that we probably believe so, although no such actual Love be conceived in the heart. We are not bound to that Love (saith he) when we minister, or receive the Sacraments; because we are not then bound to have contrition. Those that make such hard shifts to discharge themselves from the obligation of loving God, when ever occasion is offered, will scarce think it needful to love him upon no occasion: and what occasion can we think of, upon which it will be counted requisite, if not on these already specified? if not after sin, if not upon the receipt of mercy, if not on any day of worship, if not in any part of worship; if these be not occasions for it, who can hope they will ever meet with any? if an act of Love be not requisite once a week, or once a year, on such an account as would make it so, ⟨p. 96⟩if any imaginable could do it; it will not be a duty in any week, or any year, in a whole life; those that discharge themselves of it, in such circumstances, do plainly enough discharge it for ever.

But if it be more than needs to love God ^(*)once a week, are they obliged at least to love him once a year, if not at ordinary times, yet upon extraordinary or special occasions, such as more particularly seem to call for some act of Love? When they are to partake of some Sacrament, when they come to the Eucharist, or to the Sacrament of Pennance (as they are to do once yearly by their Church orders)? No, it is not then necessary neither; ^(a)