SECTION VII. 459 esteemed equal to the lover, there is generally somemutual com- placency or delight mingled with it, and it gains the name of friendship; so one friend loves another. If the object be supe- rior, then this love of good-will is joined With esteem, and it is termed honour and respect ; so a servant loves his master. But if God himselfpethe object of it, there 'ought to be the highest esteem, as well as the greatest degree of complacency joined with it ; and tins love grows up into devotion. Though it must be confessed, theword devotion hasbeen sometimes used also with regard to one's country, one's religion, or one's prince, as well as to one's God. This love of benevolence or good -will, while it wishes well to the objects of it, does oftentimes dispose us to think well of them too, which is called charity, or a charitable opinion. It inclines us to benevolence, or speakingwell of them ; to civility, or speaking kindly to them ; to humanity orbeneficence, that is, treating them well, or doing good to them, according to the -wants of 'the one, and the prudence and capacity of the other. This good-will generally discovers itself in a pleasing counten- ance, a soft and smiling air, affability of speech, gentleness of behaviour, and a hand extended to invite or relieve the oppressed and the miserable. The love of friendship does, as it were, unite itself to the object ; it produces a communion of benefits, and causes a mu- tual communication of good offices between the lover and the person beloved. The love to superiors, which is called ho- Hour, respect, and veneration, generally carries with it subjection to the object beloved, and makes us use our utmost endeavours to observe, and please the person beloved, by submission, and by obedience. Devotion to God, which is the highest love, obliges us to perform all proper acts of adoration or worship towards himself, as well as to obey him in all other things which relate to ourselves, or to our fellow-creatures. This endeavour to please and serve our superiors, whom we love, when it rises high, is called zeal, whether it regard God or a creature. We shew our zeal forour king or our country, as well as for our God. Yet we mayobserve also, that zeal is sometimes manifested, for some particular notions or practices; not only where God or our superiors are interested, but wherein our own opinions or humours, or inclinations, are chiefly concerned, or the opinionof some sect, or party, to which weare attached. If theobject of the love of benevolence be in miserable or mournful circumstances, it is then usually styled pity and compas- :sion : And this is one of the tenderest affections which belong to human nature. If the miserable object be inferior, our inclina- tion to help and relieve it, is called mercy and charity ; and if the objectbe poor, it iscalled bounty and liberality.
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