The true Christians love of the unseen Christ, or, A discourse chiefly tending to…

2. Show your love to Christ in your public spiritedness, and zeal for Christ's honour and interest: let your affections be public not private, narrow, contracted and centring in self; let your love be a ⟨p. 154⟩public and general love, Love not only Relations, but love all Christ's disciples, though of different Persuasions and interests, because of the image of Christ, & love not only your Friends that love you, but also your Enemies that hate you, because of the command of Christ. Let your desires be public desires, desire the welfare of the universal Church, and of all Gods people throughout the world, and accordingly Pray for their Peace and Prosperity, and endeavour as you have opportunity to promote the public good more than your own private advantage; seek not your own things, but the things of Jesus Christ. Let your griefs be public griefs, grieve not only for your own sins, but also for the sins of others, whereby Christ is dishonoured in the world; grieve not only for your own afflictions, but also for the afflictions of Joseph, Heb. 13, 3. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them, and them which suffer adversity, as being your selves also in the body. You are in the same mystical body with all Christ's afflicted members, and when some members suffer, the rest should suffer too, by way of sympathy. Bleeding in their wounds and grieving in their sorrows, be ready also to relieve any, especially Christ's disciples when they are ⟨p. 155⟩in distress and want according to your capacity and as you have opportunity. Employ all your Talents for your Masters glory, and endeavour to promote the interest of the Lord Jesus unto the utmost of your abilities. 1. In reference to those which are without. If you are called your selves, labour to call others unto Christ, as Andrew called Peter, Phillip called Nathaniel unto the Messiah, John 1. 40, 41. 44, 45. If you have found the Messiah, or rather have been found of him, let your love to Christ, and love to Souls prompt you, to endeavour the Conversion of others that are your Relations, your Friends and Acquaintances. Put your unconverted Friends in mind of their miserable Estates whilst under the guilt and reigning power of sin, whilst slaves to the Devil and their own lusts; mind them of Death and the fearful consequences thereof to all unpardoned sinners;