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

but how little is Christ entertained in your Thoughts, who is the Object of Faith? Moreover, doth it not argue little Love to Christ, that you speak so little of him and for him, in your converse one with another? If you had much ⟨p. 53⟩Love to Christ, would not this Love breath forth more in your Discourses? You can readily speak of your selves, and do often either Directly or Obliquely commend your selves, which discovers your great Self-love; how little do you commend your Lord and Master, and Extol his excellencies with your lips? and doth not this evidence that you have but little love to him in your hearts? You can readily discourse of News and Public Occurrences (which is lawful and needful, so that due limits be observed) but when you leave Christ quite out of your Discourse, it shows that you have not abundance of Love to him, because out of the abundance of the Heart the Mouth will speak. Such as have much love to the World, will speak of their Riches; such as have much love to Pleasures, will be often speaking of that subject; such as love their Friends much, will be often speaking and commending of them, when they are in company; and when you speak but little of Christ, it is a sign that you love him but little. Doth not the little Zeal which you have for Christs Honour in the World, argue that you have but little Love to him? where is your activity for Christ to promote ⟨p. 54⟩his Interest amongst those Relations and Friends, that you have acquaintance with? do you labour all you can, to bring others into the ways of God, and into acquaintance with Christ? Besides, will not your little secret Devotion, argue your little Affection unto Christ? will not your closets or other retiring places witness how little you are in secret prayer and converse with Christ there? Brief and Straitened prayer in secret, doth argue a Heart Straitened in love to Jesus Christ. Doth not your Backwardness to the Exercise of this Love to Christ, show the weakness of your love? how slow of Heart are you to the Love of Christ? how hard to be persuaded? you need not be persuaded to Love your Wives, if they be Kind and Helpful; you need not be persuaded to Love your children, if they be Pretty and Hopeful; you need not be persuaded to Love your Friends, if they be Friendly and Faithful:

but how little is Christ entertained in your Thoughts, who is the Object of Faith? Moreover, doth it not argue little Love to Christ, that you speak so little of him and for him, in your converse one with another? If you had much