But the existence of such characters will not be doubted by any of us, when once we have seen,
II. How they may be known and distinguished —
Doubtless such characters may be known, by them- selves at least, if not by their fellow-creatures also. Our fellow-creatures, it is true, can judge only by outward acts, because they cannot discern the work- ings of the heart: but the point may be ascertained by ourselves at all events, if on examination we find,
1. An habitual want of those dispositions which are
essential to love —
[Wherever love exists, there must be an esteem of, a desire after, and a delight in, the object beloved : and these feelings must bear some proportion to the worthiness of the object himself. Now, of course, if God be that object, he must exceed in our estimation all created good, as much as the meridian sun surpasses the faint radiance of the glow-worm. And, inasmuch as we can never be happy without him, we must thirst after him, even as the hunted deer thirsts after the water brooks ; and find in the enjoyment of his presence every desire of our souls completely satisfied. Now, we can be at no loss to discover how far our experience accords with this. At all events, if we be utter strangers to all these exercises of mind, the matter is clear : a voice from heaven could not make it more clear than the testimony of our own conscience has already made it. What should we ourselves judge of the pro- fessions of a fellow-creature, who pretended to feel a suitable regard for us, whilst in no one of these respects did he ever manifest it in the smallest degree? The judgment, then, that we should pass on him, we must pass on ourselves ; and con- clude, for a certainty, that the total absence of all these dispo- sitions towards God proves that the love of God is not in us.]
2. An habitual indulgence of those dispositions which are repugnant to love —
[It is not an occasional failure in our duty that will prove us destitute of love to God : for, then, where would so much as one lover of God be found ? But if there be in us an habi- tual indulgence of feelings absolutely inconsistent with the love of God, then also will the point be clearly decided. For in- stance, God has said, " If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him0." Again, it is said, " Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth
c 3 John ii. 1">.
1632.] men's want of love to god. 355
up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in himd ?" Again, it is said, " This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments6." Now here are marks given us whereby we may know infallibly the state of our souls towards God. If the world and its poor vanities rival him in our hearts, the matter is clear. If we have so little regard for God, that we can shut up our bowels of compassion from our destitute fellow-creatures, instead of relieving them for his sake, then also the point is decided for us. And, lastly, if our love to God do not actuate us so far as to ensure a willing obe- dience to his every command, then also no doubt is left about the point at issue : we are in every one of these cases declared to be obnoxious to the charge contained in our text.
I say, again, an occasional defect will not warrant so dis- tressing a conclusion ; but if our failure be universal, habitual, and allowed, the inference from it is undeniable ; and we are declared by God himself to be destitute of any true love to him.]
Let us, then, in reference to such unhappy charac- ters, contemplate,