Christian Love

Consider to whom this affection should be extended. More generally to all men, as fellow-creatures; but particularly and especially to all who are begotten of God, as fellow-Christians. 'And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him,' 1 John 4.21, and chap. 5.1. 'As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,' Gal. 6.10. 'O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord; my goodness extendeth not to thee: but unto the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent in whom is all my delight,' Psalm 16.2,3. And this consideration the Holy Ghost suggests to make us maintain love and unity. Love towards these runs in a purer channel:—'Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto the unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever,' 1 Pet. 1.22,23. We are begotten of one Father, and that by a divine birth; we have such a high descent and royal generation! There are so many other bonds of unity between us, it is absurd that this one more should not join all. 'One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one body, one spirit, called to one hope, one God and Father of all,' Eph. 4.2-6. All these being one, it is strange if we be not one in love. If so many relations beget not a strong and warm affection, we are worse than infidels, as the apostle speaks, 1 Tim. 5.8. If a man care not for his own house, his worldly interests, 'he is worse than an infidel;' for he has a natural affection. Sure then this more excellent nature, a divine nature we are partakers of, cannot want affection suitable to its nature. Christianity is a fraternity, a brotherhood, that should overpower all relations, bring down him of high degree, and exalt him of low degree: it should level all ranks, in this one respect, unto the rule of charity and love. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile. There all differences of tongues and nations are drowned in this interest of Christ, Col. 3.11. 'Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes,' Luke 10.21. And 'God hath chosen the weak and foolish to confound the mighty and wise,' 1 Cor. 1.27. Behold all these outward privileges buried in the depths and riches of God's grace and mercy. Are we not all called to one high calling? Our common station is to war under Christ's banner against sin and Satan. Why then do we leave our station, forget our callings, and neglect that employment which concerns us all; and fall at odds with our fellow- soldiers, and bite and devour one another? Doth not this give advantage to our common enemies? While we consume the edge of our zeal and strength of our spirits one upon another, they must needs be blunted and weakened towards our deadly enemies. If our brother be represented unto us under the covering of many faults, failings, and obstinacy in his errors, or such like; if we can behold nothing but spots on his outside, while we judge after some outward appearance, then, I say, we ought to consider him again under another notion and relation, as he stands in Christ's account, as he is radically and virtually of that seed, which hath more real worth in it than all worldly privileges and dignities. Consider him as he once shall be, when mortality shall be put off. Learn to strip him naked of all infirmities in thy consideration, and imagine him to be clothed with immortality, and glory; and think how thou wouldest then love him. If either thou unclothe him of his infirmities, and consider him as vested now with the robe of Christ's righteousness, and all glorious within, or adorned with immortality and incorruption a little hence; or else, if thou clothe thyself with such infirmities as thou seest in him, and consider that thou art not less subject to failing, and compassed with infirmities; then thou shalt put on, and keep on, that bond of perfection, charity.