Bates - BT766 B3 1699

toó Spiritual Perfecciiayi. is the commandof God, that we believe in John 3.23. the name of his Son 7efus Chrifl. The Tim. i. 18. The q. 2. word y, ),a, is by the Apoftle ufed for Arts 14.15. the Do ±rive of the Gofpel : As the end of a Science or Art, is the perfeaion of the Underffanding, in thofè things which are the proper fubjeE of the Science. The endof Philofophy is Knowledge and Moral Venue ; the end of Rhetorick is Eloquence. Thus the end of the Gofpel, the Divine Doarine of our Salvation, is Love, a Gceleffial PerfeEion. Faith in the redeeming Mercyof God, is the pro- dua of the Golpe], not of the Law, and Love is the end of Faith : Now the end is more excellent than the means to ob- tain it. In this refpeE, Love is greater than Faith. Briefly, Love is flil'd the Bond of Perfection, as it unites and con- fummates other Graces, comprehends and faftens them. Love to God draws forth all the aaive powers of the Soul in Obedience. He that with a full and - fervent Will applyes hiinfelf tohis Duty, will more eafily, pleafantly and exa&ly, _perform it. The Love of God will form the Soul into a more entire conformity to his Nature, andobedience to his Law, and raite it to a greater eminency of Holinefs, than the cleareft knowledgeof all Precepts and Rules can do. 4. Love

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