Now, in order to set this mark of regeneration in a true light, consider these three things. (1.) This love to the brethren, is a love to them as such. Then do we love them in the sense of the text, when the grace, or image of God in them, is the chief motive of our love to them. When we love the godly for their godliness, the saints for their sanctity or holiness: then we love God in them, and so may conclude, we are born of God; for every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him, 1 John v. 1. Hypocrites may love saints, on account of a civil relation to them; because of their obliging conversation; for their being of the same opinion with themselves in religious matters: and on many other such like accounts, whereby wicked men may be induced to love the godly. But happy they, who can love them for naked grace in them; for their heaven-born temper and disposition; who can pick this pearl out of a dunghill of infirmities in, and about them; lay hold on it, and love them for it. (2.) It is a love that will be given to all, in whom the grace of God appears. They that love one saint, because he is a saint, will have love to all the saints, Eph. i. 15. They will love all, who to their discerning, bear the image of God. They that cannot love a gracious person in rags, but confine their •ove to these of them who wear gay clothing, have not this love to the brethren in them. There who can confine their love to a party, to whom God has not confined his grace, […] too narrow to be put among the children. In what ⟨p. 150⟩points soever men differ from us, in their judgment or way: yet if they appear to agree with us, in love to God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, and in bearing his image; we will love them as brethren, if we ourselves be of the heavenly family And, (3.) If this love be in •••che more grace any person appear to be possessed of, he will be the more beloved by us. The more vehemently the holy fire of grace doth •lame in any, the hearts of true Christians will be the more warmed in love to them It is not with the saints as with many other men, who […] themselves the standard for others: and love them so […] they think they are like themselves. But, if they seem to out-mine, and larken them, their love is turned to hatred and envy; and they endeavour to detract from the du• praise of their exemplary piety;
Now, in order to set this mark of regeneration in a true light, consider these three things. (1.) This love to the brethren, is a love to them as such. Then do we love them in the sense of the text, when the grace, or image of God in them, is the chief motive of our love to them. When we love the godly for their godliness, the saints for their sanctity or holiness: then we love God in them, and so may conclude, we are born of God; for every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him, 1 John v. 1. Hypocrites may love saints, on account of a civil relation to them; because of their obliging conversation; for their being of the same opinion with themselves in religious matters: and on many other such like accounts, whereby wicked men may be induced to love the godly. But happy they, who can love them for naked grace in them; for their heaven-born temper and disposition; who can pick this pearl out of a dunghill of infirmities in, and about them; lay hold on it, and love them for it. (2.) It is a love that will be given to all, in whom the grace of God appears. They that love one saint, because he is a saint, will have love to all the saints, Eph. i. 15. They will love all, who to their discerning, bear the image of God. They that cannot love a gracious person in rags, but confine their •ove to these of them who wear gay cloathing, have not this love to the brethren in them. There who can conf•ne their love to a party, to whom God has not confined his grace, 〈…〉 too narrow to be put among the children. In what ⟨p. 150⟩points soever men differ from us, in their judgment or way: yet if they appear to agree with us, in love to God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, and in bearing his image; we will love them as brethren, if we ourselves be of the heavenly family And, (3.) If this love be in •••che more grace any person appear to be possessed of, he will be the more beloved by us. The more vehemently the holy fire of grace doth •lame in any, the hearts of true Christians will be the more warmed in love to them It is not with the saints as with many other men, who 〈…〉 themselves the standard for others: and love them so 〈…〉 they think they are like themselves. But, if they seem to out-mine, and larken them, their love is turned to hatred and envy; and they endeavour to detract from the du praise of their exemplary piety;
