oS jt atntonp of tie íbtneZtttibntc Clap. r 6. affections of nature ; for it proceeds from the Love of God flied abroad in Believers, tomake themone Heart and one Soul : and amore Divine patern, the Example of Chrifl; who bath by his Sufferings reftored us to the Favour of God, that we fhould Love one another as He hath Loved us. This Duty is molt aridly injoyn'd, for without Love Angelical Eloquence is but an empty or' ' 3' noife,and all other Virtues have but a falfe luftre ; Pro- phetic., Faith,Knowledge,Miracles,the higheft outward Acts ofCharity or Self-denial,the givingour Eftates to the Poor, or Bodies to Martyrdom, are neither pleating to God, nor profitable tohim that does them. Betides, That fpecial branchof Love, the forgiving of injuries, is thepeculiar Law of our Saviour. For the whole World confents to the returning evil for evil. The vicious Loveofour felves makes us very fenfible, and according to our perverfe judgments, to revenge an injury feems as juft as to requitea benefit. From hence Revenge is the molt rebellious and obffinate Paffion. An Offence remains as a thorn in the mind,that inflames and torments it, till 'tis appeafed by a vindication. 'Tis more difficult to overcome the Spirit than to gain a Battle. Weare apt to revolve in our thoughts injuries that have been done to us, and aftera long diftanceof time the memory reprefents them as frefh as at the fire}. Now theGofpei commands a hearty and intire forgive- nefs of injuries, though repeated never fo often, to feventyfeven times,and allows not the leaf} liberty ofpri- vate revenges. We mutt not onlyquench the Fire of Anger,but kindle the Fire ofLove towards our greateft Mat: 5.44° Enemies. Ifay unto you, Love your enemies, blefs them that curfeyou, dogood to them that hateyou, pray yfor themwhich defpitefullyufeyou and perfecuteyou. This is Col. 3 13. urged from the confideration of God's forgiving ur, who being infinitely provoked, yet pardons innumerable faults
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