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

CHAP. III.

How needless the Elicit acts of this love are. Some hold there is no command for this actual love (any inward act of it) that binds them, or no special command. Others who acknowledge a precept, will not have it to bind them upon any occasion, when, if ever, it would oblige. Not when they have sinned against him. Not when he expresses his love. Not when he discovers his infinite Excellencies to them. Not when they are to worship him. Not at any Sacrament, no not the Eucharist. It is too much to love God once a Week, or once a Year, or once in Four or Five Years. One act of love once in a life may be enough; yea and more than needs too, for when that time comes (if ever it come) when they will have any obliged to an act of love; yet they then assign something else, which will serve instead of it, and so render it needless still. A love which is the issue of nature unsanctified may suffice. Or to love God less than other things, only more than mortal crimes, may be enough. Or to do nothing against this love, though there be no acts of it or from it, may be sufficient. Or external acts may satisfy. Or if a man believes that he loves God above all, though indeed he does not,