A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

If it be further asked? How we can love wicked men, and if their being such should not mar our love to them? Answ. We speak not here of such as are debarred from the prayers of the people of God, and who are known to have sinned the sin which is against the Holy Ghost; nor do we speak indefinitely of final enemies, these (according to all) being excluded from our love: But we say that other particular wicked men, as to their persons (whatever hatred we may bear to their evil deeds) are to be loved in the forementioned sense, yet their wickedness may 1. mar complacency in them, that they cannot, nor ought not to be delighted in, nor with pleasure conversed with. 2. It may mar the effects of love in the evidences and manifestations of them, for that Christians may, yea, and sometimes should keep up all or most testimonies of it from some, is clear from the Apostles direction enjoining the noticing of some, that they may be ashamed, 2 Thess. 3.14. 3. It may mar love in ordering its exercises, yea, and occasion the seemingly contrary effects, as their wishing for, and doing of some things temporally adverse and cross to them, for their greater shame and humiliation, as is evident ⟨p. 320⟩in the Psalmists prayer, Psalm 83.16. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek thy name, O Lord: so some out of love are to be corrected, yea punished temporally, yet with a desire of, and respect to their eternal welfare.

If it be further asked? How we can love wicked men, and if their being such should not marr our love to them? Answ. We speak not here of such as are debarred from the prayers of the people of God, and who are known to have sinned the sin which is against the Holy Ghost; nor do we speak indefinitely of final enemies, these (according to all) being excluded from our love: But we say that other particular wicked men, as to their persons (whatever hatred we may bear to their evil deeds) are to be loved in the forementioned sense, yet their wickedness may 1. marr complacencie in them, that they cannot, nor ought not to be delighted in, nor with pleasure conversed with. 2. It may marr the effects of love in the evidences and manifestations of them, for that Christians may, yea, and sometimes should keep up all or most testimonies of it from some, is clear from the Apostles direction enjoyning the noticing of some, that they may be ashamed,