--,-----,. 228 Loving Chrifl above all, S E R M. thefe articles, it is to be charged to the ac- IX. count of a defect here, to the want, or weak - J nefs of our love to Chrift. The conclufion, then, is, that we fhould endeavour always to have this principle ftrengthened in us, as the root, from which every religious virtue muff grow up to its full maturity. I do not mean by this, a mere zeal of affection, and vehement emotion of mind without underftanding ; but a rational and deliberate efteem, founded on a clear apprehenfion of infinitely amiable moral ex- cellency, and calmly directing to every good work, according to that admirable defcrip- tion the apoftle gives in the fit chapter of the epiftle to the Philippians from the 9th verfe, " that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment : " That ye may approve things that are ex- " cellent, that ye may be fincere, and without " ófence till the day of Chri/l. Being filled " with the fruits of righteou nets, which are by Jefus Chrift unto the glory and praife of God." In order to this, nothing can be fo effectual (indeed without it nothing can be effeEtual) as a ferious attention to the mo- tives of love. What elfe can excite a ra- tional affection ? If we compare all the ob- jeéts
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