in l JOHN, in. 11. [2447.
consequently, its existence and operation in the soul proves us to be true believers, children of God, and heirs of glory.]
Address —
1. Those who are strangers to this peculiar regard —
[If the existence of it in the soul prove that we have passed from death unto life, the non-existence of it may well lead you to fear that this change has never been wrought in you. Examine yourselves, therefore, and try your own selves. In truth, this test is of peculiar importance to you : for, if you will look within, you will find that, by nature, you are rather alienated from persons on account of their relation to Christ, than drawn to them : the want of congeniality of taste and sentiment sets you at a distance from them; and a conscious- ness of this may well lead you to conclude that you are yet dead before God. The Apostle tells us this, in the very words following my text; "He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death." O consider this, ere it be too late : and seek that change, without which you must for ever perish !]
2. Those who think themselves under its influ- ence—
[It must be confessed that persons are very prone to de- ceive themselves on this point ; and to imagine that they love the brethren, when their regard is merely partial towards their own party, and when it is associated with many dispositions contrary to love. Remember then, I pray you, that your love, in order to be genuine, must be heavenly in its origin,
holy in its exercise, and uniform in its operations See,
I pray you, whether your love be of this kind, before you ven- ture to build upon it such a confident persuasion as that men- tioned in my text ]
3. Those who are truly alive to God —
[Shew, in your whole spirit and temper, what the effect of the Gospel is. It was said of the primitive Church, Behold how these Christians love one another ! Let the same mark be visible in you, and the same confession be extorted from all your adversaries: bear in mind all the offices of love, that it " beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." You must not expect your brethren to be perfect : for you yourselves are not perfect : and therefore the allowances which you need from others, you must make for them : and you must take care, in thought, word, and deed, that nothing be done by you contrary to love. Be sure, therefore, that " your love be without dissimulation ;" and that it shew itself " not in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth."]
2448. J Christ's love a pattern for us. 445