thus decline. Thus the sentiment | advantages, which appear very great becomes specious, by an appeal to and glorious; sudden transitions observation and experience for the from adversity to prosperity, from truth of it; and he, who ventures sorrow to joy, or from pain to pleato say, “My brethren, these things sure; and every circumstance which ought not so to be," is thought to excites self-complacency or strong condemn the generation of God's confidence, will involve or occasion children. a great flow of vehement affections, t But what saith Christ to the in the concerns of religion as well Laodiceans? "Because thou art as in those of this life. Thus the lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, Israelites on the banks of the Red I will spue thee out of my mouth." Sea, beholding their formidable eneRev. iii. 16. This strange opinion mies dead on the shore, and amazed stands, not only unsupported by at their own most extraordinary deScripture, but in direct opposition liverance, "believed the word of to it: the question is not how the Lord and sang his praise:" but things are? but how they ought to this apparently good frame in a vast be? The comparative coldness and majority of them continued no longer negligence, for which he is very than till their inclinations were deeply humbled: but upon the thwarted; and "they soon forgat whole the vigour of his love is con- the works of God, and would not tinually increasing, and he mani- abide in his counsel." These affecfests this to be the case in his whole tions are not of a permanent nature: conduct. To pray "that our love and, if a man possess nothing betmay abound yet more and more ;" ter, he has no root in himself, or," that we may grow in grace," and in time of temptation will fall and make progress in experimental away." religion, amounts nearly to the same The new convert indeed experithing; at least there is an insepa-ences and manifests a similar flow rable connexion between the two of affections. The Lord, in making petitions, and they reciprocally im- a Christian, does not destroy the ply each other. We shall, how-original constitution of the human ever, in some measure discover by soul; and the natural passions are what means the preceding most de- useful in the infancy of the Divine testable sentiment has insinuated life to produce a proper degree of itself among pious, humble Chris- earnestness and diligence. But tians, whilst we proceed to consi- with them there exists a spark der the next clause of the apostle's of heavenly love, which gathers prayer. strength whilst they are weakened, II. Not satisfied with desiring and glows more vigorously under that their "love might abound yet their almost expiring ashes. more and more," he subjoined this principle acquires energy and these words," in knowledge and in ascendancy, it suffices to produce all judgment;" and they suggest to activity, and thus to subordinate us a second particular, in which and regulate all inferior affections: growth of grace very greatly con- then every kind of earnestness, sists. There may be very high af-which did not spring from knowfections about religion, without the ledge, and was not exercised in communication of holy principles: judgment and discretion, becomes surprise at extraordinary and unex-unnecessary, and may abate without pected events; sanguine hopes of any detriment. As All holy affections spring from keep his commandments: and his Divine illumination, and increase commandments are not grievous." with the advancement of spiritual Thus the Christian may actually knowledge and genuine experience. abound more and more in love, as In proportion as the Christian is connected with knowledge, when enabled to discern more clearly and ignorant and selfish passions have distinctly the nature and excellency subsided: the tumult of his feelings of heavenly things; and as he ex- may be greatly abated, when the periences more fully the pleasure energy of pure and heavenly love they are capable of affording; the is proportionably increased: and, more will he love and delight in as impetuous affections and vebethem. The reasons which induce ment zeal, accompanied with pride him to love the Lord, and his truths, and anger, become less and less precepts, and people, are perceived apparent, he may manifest far more with increasing evidence; his thirst of that love, which "suffers long after happiness in the favour of and is kind, which envieth not, God, his supreme valuation of re-vaunteth not itself, is not puffed demption and salvation in Christ, up, does not behave itself unseemly, his gratitude to Him, and zeal for seeketh not its own, is not easily his glory, with attachment to his provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth cause, and devotedness to his ser- not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the vice, appear more and more reason- truth; which beareth all things, able, in proportion as his mind is believeth all things, hopeth all truly enlightened by his influences things, and endureth all things." of the Holy Spirit. He also better In short, that love, which is shown understands why" he who loves" in deed and in truth,” may abound God should love his brother also;" exceedingly, when heavenly wisdom and why he ought to copy the for- and deep humility have made the bearance, compassion, and mercy, Christian ashamed of those ostenof which his redeeming Lord hath tatious appearances of love, which given him an example. As his consist principally" in word and views enlarge, he learns to pay less in tongue," in high professions, regard to the strong emotions of noisy disputings, and cheap prothe animal spirits, which produce testations. 1 Cor. xiii. James ii. 1 John iii. very pleasing but transient sensa- 15, 16; iii. 13-18. tions, than to that steady and power-16-20. ful affection, which influences a This will appear more evidently, man to habitual self-denying obedi-by considering the other expression ence; and which connects with employed by the apostle on this disinterested endeavours to "do occasion,-" in all judgment." The good to all men, especially to them word is taken from the bodily senses, who are of the household of faith:" and may in some degree coincide and he accustoms himself to judge with the spiritual perception before of the sincerity and degree of his described; but it implies also promplove, not by certain fluctuations in titude and exactness of discernment, his feelings, but by its energy, in as acquired by enlarged knowledge prevailing on him to renounce, ven- and experience, and it is peculiarly ture, and endure every thing, in applicable to those persons, "who, promoting the glory of God and the by reason of use (or habit), have good of his redeemed people. "For their senses exercised to discern this is the love of God, that we good and evil." We may, there fore, take the word in the common and forwardness of his disposition meaning, for the mental perception, being thus abated, the exercise of when it distinguishes objects, "as his love will be less observable to the ear tries sounds," and as the mankind in general, even when the mouth tries meats; and this habit vigour of it is exceedingly increased, of judging accurately and promptly and the effects more beneficial and concerning those matters with which permanent than before. "The we are conversant, is peculiarly use- wisdom, that is from above, is first ful in every part of our conduct. pure; then peaceable; gentle, and That zeal, which springs from easy to be entreated; full of mercy vehement affection, without pro- and good fruits; without partiality, portionable knowledge and judg- and without hypocrisy and the ment, generally wastes its vigour fruit of righteousness is sown in about things frivolous, worthless, peace of them that make peace." or injurious: it is tarnished with James, iii. 13-18. The man therearrogance, bitterness, and censori-fore who is directed by this wisdom, ousness: it renders men inattentive will not be so eager to engage in to the duties of their station and violent disputes about doctrines as relations in life, and regardless of formerly: but he will be far more propriety and decorum: it influ- careful to understand, and attend ences them to attempt things im- to, the several duties of his station, practicable or romantic, by rash submissively to honour his supeand unwarrantable means, and it riors and seniors, and obey those hurries them into such tempers and that are placed over him, in all actions, as needlessly increase the things lawful; to win them by the prejudices of mankind against the silent preaching of a blameless life; gospel and its professors. But by a neek and quiet spirit; by sinwhen the heart is upright, and a cerity and integrity in word and man is favoured with sound instruc-deed; and by a persevering endea tion and prudent counsel, even his vour to render all connected with mistakes will abate his confidence him easy and happy. His love will and precipitation, and reiterated vent itself more in fervent prayers disappointments will render him for others; which is a secret but more cautious and considerate. In most effectual way of usefulness: proportion as he grows in grace, he he will improve his influence in his will learn humility, and simplicity circle to some good purposes, and of dependence on the Lord, and be daily increasing it by consistency discover the duties of his station; and conscientiousness: he will he will also become capable of dis- peaceably occupy with his talent, tinguishing between those things, as he hath opportunity; and when which may be attempted with a more favourable occasions are prereasonable prospect of success, and sented, he will gladly embrace such as, however desirable, cannot them. prudently be undertaken: and he It is not sufficient that we are will watch and wait for the open- sure the service in which we are ings of providence; sensible that about to engage is a good work; it is highly important to confine we should also be satisfied that it himself to scriptural and warrant- is the service to which the Lord able means, in all his endeavours hath called us; and this frequently to bring others over to his senti- cannot be determined without much ments. The rashness, ostentation, knowledge and sound judgment. In And in a great house there are many ser- others. Thus love to public ordivants; and it is not enough that nances, or Christian conversation, they are all employed about their frequently misleads professors to master's work: for, unless every neglect their families and necessary one knows and performs the duty worldly business, or to be inattenof his proper place, confusion and tive to relative duties; and this disturbance will be inevitable; many brings reproach on the word of God. things will be left undone, and Social religion also often interferes almost every thing done amiss.- with the exercises of the closet, and "The Son of man is as a man taking prevents growth in grace; which a far journey, who left his house, cannot be expected without much and gave authority to his servants, secret self-examination, recollection, and to every man his work:" and, meditation, and prayer. when every one peaceably, intelli- this way one holy disposition engently, and diligently minds his trenches on another; boldness exproper business, the affairs of the cludes meekness and prudence, or church, as well as those of the meekness and prudence degenefamily, are managed respectably rates into timidity; and various exand advantageously. True wisdom, cesses of this kind render men's therefore, consists very much in a profession of the gospel rather a man's understanding the duties of misshapen monster, than a beautiful his station, and performing them well proportionate figure, as Christiin a quiet and exemplary manner: anity is represented in the Scripture. and love abounds to the best pur- But the increase of knowledge and pose, when it is exercised" in judgment, while holy love also acknowledge and in all judgment." quires permanent energy, leads a The apostle, therefore, ceased not man to assign every duty its proper to pray for the Colossians, "that place and order; and to cultivate they might be filled with the know- every holy disposition in due proledge of the will of God, in all wis- portion and harmony with other dom and spiritual understanding; graces. Thus redundancies being that they might walk worthy of retrenched, deficiences supplied, the Lord, unto all pleasing; being irregularities corrected, natural profruitful in every good work, and pensities restrained, and apparently increasing in the knowledge of opposite graces brought to coalesce, God." Col. i. 9, 10. He exhorted a man's religion possesses symmetry the Ephesians to "walk circum- and beauty, and he "adorns the spectly, not as fools but as wise:doctrine of God our Saviour in all and understanding what the will of things." 2 Peter, i. 5—7. the Lord is." Eph. v. 15-17. And The fervent affections of a young he thus counselled the Corinthians, convert resemble a fire of thorns, "Be not children in understanding; which furiously blazes and crackles, howbeit in malice be ye children, but communicates little heat, and but in understanding be ye men.' is speedily extinct; while the intelligent and judicious love of a Moreover, a defect in judgment, mature Christian may be compared while love is very fervent, often to the steady fire made of substanproduces a disproportionate zeal tial fuel, which burns silently, and and earnestness: so that attention durably produces far greater effects. to one part of a man's duty swallows-Or, to use another illustrationup, as it were, all due regard to Suppose an unconverted person 1 Cor. xiv. 20. should be delivered, in a most sur- him. Yet he deemed not himself prising manner, from imminent dan-to have already attained; but felt ger by shipwreck; he would doubt- the necessity of "pressing forward, less experience a variety of con- forgetting those things which were flicting passions, and manifest very behind, and reaching forth to those strong affections; while his joy and things that were before." And, as amazement would be connected with we, most assuredly, are far beneath a kind of natural gratitude to God him in these invaluable attainments, for his preservation: but this would if we would in a compendious manproduce no abiding change in his ner know the nature of growth in dispositions and conduct. Whereas, grace, we should study his characshould this man, after some years, ter, and copy his example; accordbe truly converted, he would pro-ing to his exhortation to the beloved bably never be able to recover the Philippians. Phil. iii. 12-21. lively sensations, and high affec- It may be proper in this place to tions, which he felt when first observe, that certain persons, either escaped from the jaws of death: designedly or incautiously counteyet, understanding more distinctly nancing Antinomian tenets, object the nature and value of the mercy to the sentiment, that the law of vouchsafed him, his own extreme God is the believer's rule of conduct, unworthiness, the imminent danger under the pretence, " that love rento which his immortal soul was ders such a rule unnecessary." But exposed, and the astonishing love it should be considered that love of God in rescuing him from it, that undirected by any rule, cannot be he might at length become his sal-exercised "in knowledge and in all vation; his affections, though less judgment." Love is the first printumultuous, would be more rational, ciple, or main-spring of a believer's and his gratitude would produce a conduct: but it cannot be also the proportionable effect on his future regulator: for nothing requires so behaviour. much regulation, as the exercise of - In fine, lively affections, without this affection, in respect of the knowledge and judgment, betray | various objects of it, the proportion men into enthusiasm, delusion, ab- due to each, and the manner in surdity, and inexcusable practices; which it is to be expressed. The which injure themselves, mislead sails, receiving the impulsive energy others, and disgrace the gospel :- of the wind, put the vessel in mowhile knowledge and judgment, tion; but they would only hurry it when separated from holy love, puff upon some rock or quicksand to its up the professor, and like a stag-destruction, or at best drive it far nating pool become useless or noxi- from its intended course, were they ous. But the happy union of them not managed according to the rules in the same character constitutes of navigation, in connexion with the the highest excellency that can be pilot's attention to the helm, and found on earth; of which the apostle the observation made respecting the himself seems to have been the most progress and situation of the vessel. illustrious instance, that hath been He, therefore, who rejects the holy found among mere men, from the commandment, as the rule of his beginning of the world to the pre- conduct, under the vain pretence sent time. In these things he fol- that fervent love supersedes all lowed Christ, and prayed for his occasion for such a rule, acts as brethren that they might follow absurdly as mariners would do, |