398 In what things muß we afe Moderation, Senn, 16. teed, which is difcernable efpecially by the end ; with grace we love them for God,with the moral vettue of love for the relation they nand in to us, with the affe &ion of love, when we finfully over -love them for our loves,for though the natural affection co- operates with the for- mer, yet it folely exceeds. But it being difficult for us to difcern thefe formalities in objeds, and the operations of principles about thern,itis our only way to have recourfe to Gods Laws, (which though founded upon the nature of things, yet thews us plainly our duty,where we can- not difcern them) which, in all things wherein we may exceed, (as in the Externals of the Firí} Table, and the duties oldie Second) not only prefcribe us what, and alto particularly how co ad by pofitive Pre- cepts ; but left; we fhou'd mifcarry by Negative al fo, which refpect the end, manner, meafure, ceee. of fuck duties, reíliraining and bounding us that we exceed not. Both which are Moral, and comprehended in this particular, it being equally moral not to over -love, as to love thy Neighbour,the former being forbidden as well by the Negative, as the latter enjoyned by pofitivc Precepts. In Negatives which forbid the a &ion ahfolutely, ( as Blatphemy, Adultery, &c.) no need of any fuch Precepts to regulate us ; for the actions being not to be done, no need of dircdion for their manner, and confequently no place for Moderation; fuch being to be fubdued, and fuppref}, not ordered or regulated, as I have formerly fpoken and in things only indefinitely forbidden (as Swearing, Travelling on the Lords day, Cc.) when we are to praaice them, we have the rules for Pofitive actions, Affirmative, and Negative to direct us fuffici ently. 3. Nor efpecially in the weightier matters of the Law or Religion. I mull (peak a little to this becaufe that may be commanded Ablaut-ay in it Ielf,which comparatively when it comes in competition with other du- ties of greater momement, becomes only conditional. For affirmative Precepts are fo many, it is impoflible they fhould bind ad f emper ; fo that when two or more dutes come together, man, in regard of his nice capacity, being not able to perform them at once, mull duly confi- der the weightieft, and that do; it being requifite in terms of inconti- nency, that the leffer alwaies give place to the greater,and ceafe pro hic & went, or for that prefent to oblige us. Thus David; eating the thew - bread, and the Difciples plucking the cars of corn on the Sab- bath day, when hungry, is defended by our Saviour, 21Lit. r 2. Yea, even frequently the externals of the Firflt Table,give way to the weigh- ty exigent duties of the Second, (as the fandification of the Sabbath, to
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