want of a radical principle of love in our souls, it may profit us nothing ; and we may be, in God's estimation, no better than sounding brass or tinkling cymbalsV O, how carefully should we examine ourselves as to the existence of this prin- ciple within us, and how ardently should we seek its increase ! " As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he :" if he be altogether under the influence of love, " he fulfilleth the law," and is approved of his God : but, if this be not the reigning principle in his soul, whatever he may be, or whatever he may do, " he is in darkness even until nowc," and will be consigned to ever- lasting darkness at the last dayd.]
With those who feel the importance of this subject, two questions will naturally arise ;
1. How shall I know whether my love increases ?
[This question deserves an attentive consideration : for, if we form our judgment on inadequate and erroneous grounds, we shall only deceive ourselves to our everlasting destruction. Let not any then imagine that their love increases, because they feel an increased attachment to any particular individual or party, or have a general desire to do good. If we would form a correct estimate of our love, we must examine what diffi- culties it surmounts, what sacrifices it makes, and what victories it gains over every selfish inclination or corrupt affection? " If we love those only who love us, what do we more than others? do not even the Pharisees the same?" We must " love them that hate us, and bless them that curse us, and do good to them that despitefully use us and persecute us :" and it is in this way only that we can approve ourselves " children of our heavenly Father." Enter then deeply into the workings of your own hearts : see how far pride, and anger, and malice, and envy are mortified within you ; and how far humility, and meekness, and forbearance, and forgiveness, and a disposition to prefer others in honour above yourselves, are risen up in their stead, and are brought, though under the most trying circum- stances, into easy and habitual exercise. Real love has, if I may so say, an intuitive and instinctive operation. See it in the mother of the child which Solomon ordered to be divided between the claimants : she did not need to reason upon the matter ; but love, instantly operating in her soul, inclined her to sacrifice her own interests for the good of her child. So it is that love will evidence itself, wherever it exists : it will rise to the occasion, whatever the occasion be ; it will " heap coals of fire on the head" of those whom it cannot otherwise soften ; and, "instead of being overcome of evil, it will overcome evil
b 1 Cor. xiii. 1—3. c 1 John ii. 9, 11. «> 1 John iii. 14, 15.