210 Loving Chr f above all, S E R M. were altogether unworthy, and our falva- IX. tion by the gofpel is wholly of grace. And when we perfevere in our obedience to it with all the worthinefs we can attain to, for it is flill imperfed, we mull at lafl look fir the mercy of the Lord 7efus unto eternal life. But, when we receive the word of his king- dom into good and hon f hearts, and bring firth fruit with patience ; when we fincerely comply with the conditions of acceptance which he has eftablifhed, and continue in them, then does " our God count us worthy of his calling, as the apoflle fpeaks, 2 Theff. i. i t, i 2. that the name f our Lord . fus Chr f may be glorified in us, and we in him. This, -I hope, will difpofe us the more di-. ligently to attend to the particular dottrine of this text, namely, the love of Chrift above all, declared by himfelf, to be one efhentially neceffary qualification, without which we are not worthy of him, or his approved difciples, intitled to his acceptance, and the reward of his kingdom. I come therefore, Secondly, To confider the love of Chrift as in comparifon with, and oppofition to the love of friends, and all other worldly interefls.
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