I cannot pass by this subject wholly without a little farther pressing the necessity of the obtaining and due exercise of this Grace. I know not how it comes to pass, but so it is, that men are harassed continually about want of Love, with Writings keen and invective, yet little Fruits do we see to come thereof. And the plain reason of it is, because the Love which men so contend for, is confined to that practice in, and of Ecclesiastical Communion, whose measures they have fixed to themselves. If you will do thus and thus, go in such or such ways, so or so far, leave off such ways of Fellowship in the Gospel as you have embraced and think according unto the mind of God, then you have Love, else you have none at all. How little either Unity or Love hath been promoted by such Principles and Practices, is now evident; yea how much Divisions, Animosities, and mutual Alienations ⟨p. 107⟩of minds and affections have been increased by them. For my part I should be sorry that any man living should out-go me in earnest desires that all the people of God were agreed and united, as in Faith and Love, so also in the same way of Worship, in all things; However I know my desires unto that End are sincere. But that there can be no Love, or no due exercise of it, until that be accomplished, I am not persuaded, I do not believe; yea I judge that if ever it be, it will rather be the effect and fruit of Love; than the cause of it. Let us therefore all lay hold on the present season, and not lose the exercise of Love whilst we contend about it. I know no way wherein I judge that any who fear God in the world do walk at this day, that is in and of it self inconsistent with Gospel Love, or a real Obstruction to the exercise of it. If any such there be, it is really to be abhorred. And the more semblance there is of such an Evil in any opinion, way, or practice, the more it is to be suspected. But to charge this upon the gathering of Professors of the Gospel and Obedience unto Christ, into particular Congregations, or especial Societies for Church Administrations, hath an appearance at least of Envy, Ill-will, and Ignorance. For none of the Institutions of Christ, such as this is, can either directly or by any just consequences, obstruct that Love which he requireth of his Disciples, and which indeed they are all suited to promote.
I cannot pass by this subject wholly without a little farther pressing the necessity of the obtaining and due exercise of this Grace. I know not how it comes to pass, but so it is, that men are harrassed continually about want of Love, with Writings keen and invective, yet little Fruits do we see to come thereof. And the plain reason of it is, because the Love which men so contend for, is confined to that practice in, and of Ecclesiastical Communion, whose measures they have fixed to themselves. If you will do thus and thus, go in such or such ways, so or so far, leave off such ways of Fellowship in the Gospel as you have embraced and think according unto the mind of God, then you have Love, else you have none at all. How little either Unity or Love hath been promoted by such Principles and Practices, is now evident; yea how much Divisions, Animosities, and mutual Alienations ⟨p. 107⟩of minds and affections have been increased by them. For my part I should be sorry that any man living should out-go me in earnest desires that all the people of God were agreed and united, as in Faith and Love, so also in the same way of Worship, in all things; However I know my desires unto that End are sincere. But that there can be no Love, or no due exercise of it, until that be accomplished, I am not perswaded, I do not believe; yea I judge that if ever it be, it will rather be the effect and fruit of Love; than the cause of it. Let us therefore all lay hold on the present season, and not lose the exercise of Love whilst we contend about it. I know no way wherein I judge that any who fear God in the world do walk at this day, that is in and of it self inconsistent with Gospel Love, or a real Obstruction to the exercise of it. If any such there be, it is really to be abhorred. And the more semblance there is of such an Evil in any opinion, way, or practice, the more it is to be suspected. But to charge this upon the gathering of Professors of the Gospel and Obedience unto Christ, into particular Congregations, or especial Societies for Church Administrations, hath an appearance at least of Envy, Ill-will, and Ignorance. For none of the Institutions of Christ, such as this is, can either directly or by any just consequences, obstruct that Love which he requireth of his Disciples, and which indeed they are all suited to promote.
