letter_n concern_v the_o love_n of_o god_n between_o the_o author_n of_o the_o proposal_n to_o the_o lady_n and_o mr._n john_n norris_n wherein_o his_o late_a discourse_n show_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v entire_a and_o exclusive_a of_o all_o other_o love_v be_v further_a clear_v and_o justify_v publish_a by_o j._n norris_n m._n a._n rector_n of_o bemerton_n near_o sarum_n london_n print_v for_o samuel_n manship_n at_o the_o ship_n near_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n and_o richard_n wilkin_n at_o the_o king_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n be_v churchyard_n 1695._o imprimatur_fw-la october_n 7._o 1694._o c._n alston_n to_o the_o true_o honourable_a lady_n the_o lady_z catherine_n jones_n in_o due_a acknowledgement_n of_o her_o merit_n and_o in_o testimony_n of_o that_o just_a and_o therefore_o very_o great_a and_o vnseigned_a veneration_n which_o be_v pay_v to_o her_o ladyship_n virtue_n these_o letter_n be_v most_o humble_o dedicate_v and_o present_v to_o the_o reader_n the_o letter_n herelay_v open_a to_o thy_o view_n be_v a_o late_a correspondence_n between_o myself_o and_o a_o gentlewoman_n and_o to_o add_v to_o thy_o wonder_n a_o young_a gentlewoman_n her_o name_n i_o have_v not_o the_o liberty_n to_o publish_v for_o her_o person_n as_o her_o modesty_n will_v not_o suffer_v i_o to_o say_v much_o of_o she_o so_o the_o present_a production_n of_o her_o pen_n make_v it_o utter_o needless_a to_o say_v any_o thing_n unless_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o prevention_n to_o obviate_v a_o diffidence_n in_o some_o who_o from_o the_o surprise_v excellency_n of_o these_o write_n may_v be_v tempt_v to_o question_v whether_o my_o correspondent_n be_v real_o a_o woman_n or_o no._n to_o who_o my_o answer_n be_v that_o indeed_o i_o do_v not_o see_v she_o write_v these_o letter_n but_o that_o i_o have_v all_o the_o moral_a and_o reasonable_a assurance_n that_o she_o do_v write_v they_o and_o be_v the_o true_a author_n of_o they_o that_o can_v be_v have_v in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o i_o hope_v my_o credit_n may_v be_v good_a enough_o with_o those_o that_o know_v i_o to_o be_v believe_v upon_o my_o serious_a word_n where_o there_o be_v no_o other_o satisfaction_n to_o be_v give_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o correspondence_n be_v the_o best_a and_o great_a that_o the_o thought_n of_o a_o intelligent_a creature_n can_v possible_o exercise_v itself_o about_o the_o love_n of_o god._n and_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o this_o be_v make_v more_o the_o subject_n not_o only_o of_o our_o conversation_n and_o letter_n instead_o of_o those_o many_o empty_a and_o impertinent_a foxmality_n that_o usual_o fill_v and_o engross_v they_o but_o even_o of_o our_o book_n and_o more_o elaborate_a composure_n which_o i_o think_v will_v be_v better_o employ_v in_o lay_v good_a foundation_n for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o raise_v the_o low-sunk_a practice_n of_o it_o than_o in_o curious_a researche_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o a_o eternal_a contention_n and_o tedious_a chicane_n about_o the_o trinity_n man_n may_v wrangle_v for_o ever_o about_o these_o abstruse_a theory_n and_o soon_o dispute_v themselves_o out_o of_o charity_n than_o into_o truth_n but_o our_o will_n have_v at_o present_a a_o large_a capacity_n than_o our_o understanding_n and_o our_o love_n of_o god_n may_v be_v very_o flame_a and_o seraphic_a when_o after_o the_o great_a elevation_n and_o soar_v of_o thought_n our_o conception_n of_o he_o be_v but_o faint_a and_o shadowy_a and_o we_o see_v he_o but_o in_o a_o glass_n dark_o but_o if_o we_o will_v even_o make_v this_o glass_n more_o transparent_a it_o be_v love_n that_o must_v clarify_v and_o refine_v it_o a_o affectionate_a sense_n of_o god_n will_v discover_v more_o of_o he_o to_o we_o than_o all_o the_o dry_a study_n and_o speculation_n of_o scholastic_a head_n the_o fire_n of_o our_o heart_n will_v give_v the_o best_a and_o true_a light_n to_o our_o eye_n and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v the_o best_a contemplation_n however_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v the_o best_a practice_n love_n be_v not_o only_o the_o short_a and_o most_o compendious_a way_n to_o perfection_n but_o the_o great_a height_n and_o pitch_n of_o it_o the_o more_o we_o have_v of_o love_n the_o near_a advances_n we_o make_v to_o god_n who_o be_v love_n itself_o and_o who_o breathe_v forth_o from_o he_o essential_a and_o substantial_a love_n the_o more_o fit_a we_o be_v to_o taste_v the_o sweetness_n of_o divine_a communion_n and_o religious_a walk_v with_o he_o here_o and_o the_o better_o prepare_v to_o relish_v and_o enjoy_v the_o full_a display_v of_o his_o sovereign_a excellence_n hereafter_o heaven_n be_v but_o a_o state_n of_o the_o most_o perfect_a and_o comsummate_v love_n and_o therefore_o the_o best_a thing_n we_o can_v practise_v upon_o earth_n be_v to_o tune_v our_o heart_n to_o this_o divine_a strain_n to_o set_v they_o as_o high_a as_o we_o can_v for_o sure_a the_o best_a preparation_n for_o love_n must_v be_v love_n itself_o but_o whatever_o other_o qualification_n be_v requisite_a a_o heart_n once_o true_o touch_v with_o this_o divine_a passion_n can_v long_o want_v they_o love_n will_v draw_v along_o after_o it_o all_o other_o virtue_n will_v perfect_v and_o improve_v they_o and_o will_v at_o least_o hide_v those_o fault_n of_o they_o which_o it_o can_v correct_v for_o this_o be_v that_o universal_a excellency_n which_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o other_o work_n but_o which_o if_o want_a such_o a_o necessary_a and_o vital_a part_n it_o be_v nothing_o else_o can_v supply_v or_o compound_v for_o neither_o tongue_n nor_o prophecy_n nor_o knowledge_n nor_o faith_n nor_o alm_n nor_o even_o martyrdom_n itself_o signify_v any_o thing_n without_o charity_n the_o heart_n be_v the_o sacrifice_n that_o god_n demand_v and_o unless_o that_o be_v offer_v the_o rich_a oblation_n will_v find_v no_o acceptance_n other_o gift_n and_o grace_n whether_o intellectual_a or_o moral_a come_v indeed_o from_o heaven_n but_o they_o often_o leave_v we_o upon_o earth_n love_v only_o elevate_v we_o up_o thither_o and_o be_v able_a to_o unite_v we_o to_o god_n it_o be_v this_o indeed_o that_o give_v we_o the_o strict_a union_n on_o with_o he_o in_o this_o life_n by_o faith_n we_o live_v upon_o god_n by_o obedience_n we_o live_v to_o he_o but_o it_o be_v by_o love_n alone_o that_o we_o live_v in_o he_o and_o so_o st._n john_n god_n be_v love_n and_o he_o that_o dwell_v in_o love_n dwell_v in_o god_n and_o god_n in_o he_o a_o passage_n that_o make_v high_o for_o the_o privilege_n of_o love_n and_o which_o i_o can_v mention_v without_o call_v to_o mind_n a_o most_o divine_a remark_n which_o the_o port_n royal_a abrege_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr morale_n des_fw-fr epistres_n etc._n etc._n tom._n 4._o pag._n 112._o in_o their_o late_a abstract_n of_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v upon_o it_o o_o great_a god_n you_o be_v all_o love_n in_o yourself_o and_o all_o love_n for_o man_n and_o man_n dare_v deliberate_a whether_o he_o shall_v love_v you_o and_o to_o inquire_v when_o and_o how_o far_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v it_o if_o to_o love_n god_n be_v to_o possess_v he_o and_o to_o be_v possess_v by_o he_o what_o a_o emptiness_n be_v there_o in_o that_o heart_n which_o do_v not_o love_n god_n or_o of_o what_o be_v it_o full_a if_o not_o of_o vanity_n and_o indigence_n itself_o but_o i_o may_v be_v concern_v to_o plead_v as_o well_o as_o to_o recommend_v the_o greatness_n of_o our_o subject_n which_o indeed_o be_v so_o sublime_a and_o vast_a have_v such_o immense_a dimension_n such_o heighth_n and_o depth_n in_o it_o that_o there_o need_v no_o other_o apology_n than_o the_o theme_n we_o treat_v of_o to_o excuse_v the_o defectiveness_n of_o our_o meditation_n upon_o it_o if_o there_o be_v any_o argument_n that_o will_v oppress_v a_o writer_n with_o its_o weight_n dazzle_v he_o with_o its_o glory_n and_o make_v every_o thing_n that_o he_o shall_v think_v or_o say_v upon_o it_o appear_v little_a it_o be_v this_o certain_o of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o theory_n of_o too_o exalt_v a_o nature_n for_o any_o humane_a pen_n and_o such_o as_o angel_n alone_o be_v fit_a to_o write_v upon_o they_o that_o contemplate_v the_o face_n of_o god_n can_v tell_v it_o may_v be_v in_o some_o measure_n how_o lovely_a he_o be_v and_o the_o very_a transport_n of_o their_o high_a passion_n will_v furnish_v they_o with_o expression_n but_o it_o be_v hard_a for_o a_o soul_n that_o see_v only_o his_o backpart_n to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a representation_n of_o his_o beauty_n and_o for_o a_o spirit_n that_o dwell_v and_o converse_v upon_o earth_n to_o speak_v the_o language_n of_o heaven_n there_o be_v mystery_n in_o the_o love_n of_o god_n as_o
pure_o and_o entire_o from_o ourselves_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o i_o absolute_o allow_v and_o contend_v for_o concern_v the_o latter_a i_o distinguish_v when_o you_o say_v that_o all_o our_o evil_n be_v pure_o and_o entire_o from_o ourselves_o if_o you_o mean_v of_o moral_a evil_n i_o grant_v it_o but_o if_o you_o mean_v of_o natural_a evil_n than_o i_o must_v distinguish_v again_o upon_o the_o word_n from_o ourselves_o which_o may_v signify_v either_o a_o physical_a or_o moral_a or_o if_o you_o will_v a_o efficient_a or_o a_o meritorious_a causality_n we_o be_v certain_o the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o all_o our_o natural_a evil_n as_o bring_v they_o upon_o we_o by_o our_o sin_n but_o that_o we_o be_v the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o any_o of_o they_o i_o deny_v as_o all_o our_o good_a be_v whole_o from_o god_n so_o in_o this_o sense_n be_v also_o our_o evil_n we_o have_v not_o the_o power_n to_o modify_v our_o own_o soul_n and_o can_v no_o more_o raise_v the_o sensation_n of_o pain_n in_o they_o than_o that_o of_o pleasure_n god_n be_v the_o true_a author_n of_o both_o as_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o show_v you_o say_v again_o that_o affliction_n be_v not_o evil_a but_o good_a to_o which_o i_o return_v that_o they_o be_v both_o in_o different_a respect_n they_o be_v certain_o evil_a in_o their_o own_o formal_a nature_n and_o simple_o in_o themselves_o consider_v and_o can_v be_v good_a only_o occasional_o or_o consequential_o as_o they_o may_v serve_v as_o mean_n to_o some_o great_a good_n and_o this_o i_o think_v may_v serve_v to_o reconcile_v the_o goodness_n of_o pain_n to_o that_o assertion_n of_o i_o that_o nothing_o do_v we_o good_a but_o what_o cause_v pleasure_n that_o be_v either_o formal_o and_o direct_o or_o occasional_o and_o consequential_o some_o way_n or_o other_o whatever_o do_v we_o good_a must_v be_v suppose_v to_o cause_v pleasure_n to_o we_o now_o though_o pain_n can_v cause_v pleasure_n formal_o as_o be_v a_o sensation_n formal_o distinct_a from_o it_o yet_o it_o may_v occasional_o and_o consequential_o and_o so_o may_v come_v within_o the_o enclosure_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o do_v we_o good_a you_o think_v fit_a to_o confine_v my_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n pleasure_n to_o such_o only_a as_o be_v true_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n by_o which_o i_o suppose_v you_o mean_v those_o pleasure_n which_o be_v call_v rational_a and_o intellectual_a to_o this_o i_o reply_v that_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o evident_a and_o i_o think_v i_o have_v elsewhere_o make_v it_o so_o that_o god_n be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o pleasure_n that_o be_v resent_v by_o man._n but_o you_o say_v you_o know_v not_o how_o it_o can_v consist_v with_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o most_o holy_a god_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o please_a sensation_n which_o wicked_a man_n feel_v in_o what_o we_o call_v sinful_a pleasure_n but_o it_o be_v your_o mistake_n to_o suppose_v that_o sensual_a pleasure_n as_o such_o be_v evil_a or_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o sinful_a pleasure_n proper_o speak_v as_o sin_n can_v be_v formal_o pleasant_a so_o neither_o can_v pleasure_n be_v formal_o sinful_a all_o pleasure_n in_o itself_o be_v simple_o good_a as_o be_v a_o real_a modification_n of_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v the_o circumstantiate_a of_o it_o that_o be_v the_o evil._n and_o of_o this_o god_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n but_o the_o sinner_n who_o rather_o than_o forego_v such_o a_o agreeable_a sensation_n will_v enjoy_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o be_v not_o for_o his_o own_o or_o for_o the_o common_a good_a and_o therefore_o unlawful_a but_o concern_v this_o matter_n you_o may_v further_o satisfy_v yourself_o out_o of_o the_o letter_n between_o dr._n more_o and_o i_o and_o by_o read_v the_o first_o and_o second_o illustration_n m._n malebranch_n make_v upon_o his_o de_fw-fr la_fw-fr recharche_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr verity_n where_o he_o show_v you_o that_o god_n do_v all_o that_o be_v real_a in_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o those_o motion_n without_o be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n there_o be_v two_o other_o passage_n in_o your_o letter_n which_o i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o assent_v to_o till_o i_o better_o comprehend_v they_o one_o be_v that_o mental_a pain_n be_v the_o same_o with_o sin_n the_o other_o be_v that_o sin_n be_v the_o only_a true_a evil_n of_o man._n i_o can_v stay_v long_o upon_o these_o but_o as_o to_o the_o first_o beside_o that_o sin_n be_v a_o act_n and_o pain_v a_o passion_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o that_o pain_n be_v a_o real_a modification_n of_o our_o spirit_n whereas_o sin_n in_o its_o formality_n be_v not_o any_o thing_n positive_a but_o a_o mere_a privation_n i_o say_v beside_o this_o if_o mental_a pain_n be_v the_o same_o with_o sin_n how_o shall_v we_o distinguish_v sin_n from_o the_o punishment_n of_o it_o and_o how_o shall_v a_o man_n repent_v for_o his_o sin_n for_o if_o mental_a pain_n be_v the_o same_o with_o sin_n then_o to_o be_v sorry_a for_o one_o sin_n will_v be_v to_o commit_v another_o then_o as_o to_o the_o other_o part_v that_o sin_n be_v the_o only_a evil_n of_o man_n i_o grant_v it_o be_v the_o great_a but_o i_o can_v think_v it_o the_o only_a one_o for_o beside_o that_o mental_a pain_n be_v as_o i_o have_v show_v a_o evil_a distinct_a from_o it_o there_o be_v also_o a_o thing_n call_v bodily_a pain_n which_o i_o have_v also_o show_v to_o be_v a_o evil._n now_o madam_n as_o to_o what_o you_o request_v of_o i_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o your_o letter_n if_o you_o think_v that_o distinction_n of_o i_o of_o seek_v creature_n for_o our_o good_a but_o not_o love_v they_o as_o our_o good_a too_o nice_a i_o further_o illustrate_v it_o thus_o you_o be_v to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o movement_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o those_o of_o the_o body_n the_o movement_n of_o the_o soul_n ought_v not_o to_o tend_v but_o towards_o he_o who_o only_o be_v above_o she_o and_o only_o able_a to_o act_v in_o she_o but_o the_o movement_n of_o the_o body_n may_v be_v determine_v by_o those_o object_n which_o environ_v it_o and_o so_o by_o those_o movement_n we_o may_v unite_v ourselves_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o natural_a or_o occasional_a cause_n of_o our_o pleasure_n thus_o because_o we_o find_v pleasure_n from_o the_o fire_n this_o be_v warrant_n enough_o to_o approach_v it_o by_o a_o bodily_a movement_n but_o we_o must_v not_o therefore_o love_v it_o for_o love_n be_v a_o movement_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o that_o we_o be_v to_o reserve_v for_o he_o who_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o that_o pleasure_n which_o we_o resent_v by_o occasion_n of_o the_o fire_n who_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v be_v no_o other_o than_o god._n by_o which_o you_o may_v plain_o perceive_v what_o it_o be_v i_o mean_v by_o say_v that_o creature_n may_v be_v seek_v for_o our_o good_a but_o not_o love_v as_o our_o good_n but_o after_o all_o i_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o as_o all_o our_o other_o duty_n be_v more_o intelligible_a than_o practicable_a though_o to_o render_v it_o so_o i_o know_v no_o other_o way_n than_o by_o long_a and_o constant_a meditation_n to_o free_v our_o mind_n of_o that_o early_a prejudice_n that_o sensible_a object_n do_v act_n upon_o our_o spirit_n and_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o our_o sensation_n careful_o to_o distinguish_v between_o a_o efficient_a cause_n strict_o so_o call_v and_o a_o occasion_n to_o attribute_v to_o god_n and_o the_o creature_n their_o proper_a part_n in_o the_o production_n of_o our_o pleasure_n to_o bring_v ourselves_o to_o a_o clear_a perception_n and_o habitual_a remembrance_n of_o this_o grand_a truth_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o morality_n that_o god_n only_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o all_o our_o good_a which_o when_o full_o convince_v of_o we_o shall_v no_o long_o question_n whether_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o only_a object_n of_o our_o love_n i_o be_o madam_n with_o great_a respect_n your_o humble_a servant_n j._n norris_n bemerton_n nou._n 13._o 1693._o if_o you_o be_v satisfy_v thus_o far_o i_o will_v desire_v you_o to_o go_v on_o to_o communicate_v what_o other_o thought_n you_o have_v concern_v the_o love_n of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v a_o subject_a i_o like_v and_o will_v willing_o pursue_v to_o the_o utmost_a letter_n v._o to_o mr._n norris_n sir_n so_o candid_a and_o condiscend_v a_o treatment_n of_o a_o stranger_n a_o woman_n and_o so_o inconsiderable_a a_o one_o as_o myself_o show_v you_o to_o be_v as_o much_o above_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n in_o your_o practice_n as_o you_o be_v in_o your_o theory_n and_o
since_o mental_a and_o bodily_a pain_n be_v not_o so_o far_o evil_a but_o that_o in_o some_o circumstance_n they_o may_v become_v eligible_a which_o yet_o they_o can_v not_o be_v without_o assume_v the_o nature_n of_o good_a and_o therefore_o they_o be_v not_o pure_a and_o absolute_a evil_n and_o further_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a in_o our_o contemplation_n and_o retirement_n to_o distinguish_v between_o great_a and_o lesser_a evil_n to_o compare_v and_o weigh_v they_o together_o and_o to_o allot_v to_o each_o its_o due_a proportion_n of_o choice_n or_o aversion_n yet_o since_o good_a and_o evil_n do_v frequent_o present_v themselves_o to_o our_o mind_n in_o common_a conversation_n and_o business_n when_o we_o have_v neither_o time_n nor_o appetite_n to_o abstract_n and_o consider_v but_o be_v determine_v by_o this_o short_a and_o obvious_a sillogism_n evil_a be_v not_o eligible_a but_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v evil_a therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v choose_v whereas_o perhaps_o 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argue_v rom._n 3._o 8._o there_o be_v a_o certain_a peculiarity_n of_o evil_a in_o sin_n which_o though_o you_o will_v not_o allow_v it_o the_o only_a evil_n yet_o at_o least_o render_v it_o a_o evil_a paramount_n to_o all_o other_o evil_n and_o exclude_v it_o from_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o eligibility_n for_o though_o pain_n and_o grief_n put_v the_o soul_n into_o uneasy_a circumstance_n yet_o they_o do_v withdraw_v she_o from_o her_o true_a good_a they_o rather_o excite_v she_o more_o strong_o to_o cleave_v to_o he_o and_o that_o trouble_v which_o sensible_a thing_n occasion_n and_o which_o she_o feel_v through_o the_o disorder_n of_o her_o own_o thought_n stir_v she_o up_o to_o fix_v more_o firm_o on_o he_o who_o comfort_n in_o this_o case_n be_v she_o only_o refreshment_n whereas_o sin_n quite_o alienates_v the_o soul_n from_o her_o only_a true_a good_a and_o thereby_o deprive_v she_o of_o the_o sole_a prop_n she_o have_v to_o rest_v on_o and_o consequent_o put_v she_o in_o 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of_o pain_n for_o i_o do_v it_o well_o understand_v your_o mean_v when_o you_o say_v that_o pain_n anticipate_v all_o thought_n or_o reflection_n i_o do_v suppose_v it_o to_o be_v a_o uneasy_a thought_n and_o how_o then_o can_v it_o anticipate_v all_o thought_n the_o bodily_a impression_n indeed_o prevent_v thought_n but_o that_o be_v not_o proper_o the_o pain_n but_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o gratify_v your_o desire_n which_o fall_v in_o so_o much_o with_o my_o own_o inclination_n that_o i_o shall_v further_o communicate_v my_o thought_n concern_v divine_a love_n a_o subject_a on_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v endless_a and_o yet_o impossible_a to_o say_v too_o much_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o all_o religion_n to_o which_o all_o other_o duty_n be_v reducible_a which_o be_v but_o so_o many_o different_a modification_n of_o this_o soul_n that_o animate_v the_o christian_a life_n and_o therefore_o such_o 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love_n of_o benevolence_n and_o consequent_o such_o a_o love_n to_o our_o neighbour_n do_v full_o discharge_v the_o obligation_n of_o that_o command_n nor_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o saviour_n love_v with_o a_o love_n of_o desire_n as_o he_o be_v god_n he_o can_v not_o and_o as_o he_o be_v man_n he_o need_v not_o for_o a_o love_n of_o benevolence_n will_v answer_v all_o the_o end_n of_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n the_o scripture_n it_o be_v true_a mention_n some_o happy_a favourite_n who_o have_v a_o great_a interest_n in_o his_o love_n than_o other_o we_o read_v that_o jesus_n love_v lazarus_n and_o of_o the_o disciple_n who_o jesus_n love_v but_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n to_o understand_v this_o of_o a_o love_n of_o desire_n and_o whatever_o other_o reason_n may_v be_v assign_v for_o this_o particular_a kindness_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v the_o main_a design_n of_o it_o be_v for_o our_o example_n that_o as_o our_o bless_a lord_n have_v leave_v we_o a_o pattern_n 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humble_a and_o thankful_a servant_n february_n 15._o 1693._o letter_n viii_o mr._n norris_n answer_n madam_n i_o be_o no_o less_o please_v than_o yourself_o that_o my_o great_a argument_n for_o the_o entire_a love_n of_o god_n take_v from_o his_o be_v the_o only_a true_a cause_n of_o our_o good_a be_v so_o well_o discharge_v of_o that_o difficulty_n which_o you_o urge_v against_o it_o because_o as_o i_o tell_v you_o in_o my_o first_o i_o think_v it_o the_o only_a material_a one_o to_o which_o it_o stand_v expose_v and_o because_o it_o have_v receive_v from_o your_o skilful_a hand_n the_o utmost_a advantage_n it_o be_v capable_a of_o so_o that_o now_o i_o can_v but_o conclude_v the_o bottom_n i_o go_v upon_o to_o be_v very_o sound_a not_o expect_v to_o be_v attack_v by_o a_o strong_a objection_n or_o by_o one_o better_a manage_v the_o same_o occur_v to_o my_o own_o thought_n while_o i_o be_v compose_v my_o discourse_n but_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v time_n enough_o to_o consider_v 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plain_a that_o i_o may_v and_o that_o the_o entireness_n of_o my_o love_n to_o god_n do_v no_o way_n prejudice_v my_o love_n to_o my_o neighbour_n suppose_v the_o latter_a love_n to_o be_v of_o a_o different_a kind_a from_o the_o former_a those_o therefore_o that_o will_v have_v one_o of_o these_o to_o be_v exclusive_a of_o the_o other_o oughts_z first_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o word_n love_n use_v in_o both_o command_n be_v take_v according_a to_o the_o same_o sense_n in_o both_o that_o by_o love_n of_o our_o neighbour_n be_v mean_v love_n of_o desire_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o love_n of_o god_n without_o which_o their_o objection_n be_v precarious_a and_o instead_o of_o prove_v they_o do_v but_o beg_v the_o question_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v glad_a to_o see_v any_o of_o our_o objector_n prove_v what_o hitherto_o they_o be_v please_v to_o presume_v that_o by_o love_n of_o our_o neighbour_n be_v intend_v love_n of_o desire_n if_o they_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n demand_v what_o 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of_o interpret_n the_o first_o and_o great_a commandment_n in_o the_o strict_a notion_n all_o along_o subjoyn_v such_o remark_n as_o offer_v themselves_o and_o seem_v not_o to_o i_o altogether_o foreign_a to_o the_o subject_a for_o the_o first_o i_o think_v it_o very_o unreasonable_a to_o love_v the_o creature_n because_o it_o can_v never_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o love_n we_o desire_v only_o in_o order_n to_o happiness_n nothing_o be_v desirable_a any_o further_a than_o as_o it_o promote_v that_o end_v but_o the_o love_n of_o the_o creature_n be_v more_o apt_a to_o hinder_v than_o advance_v our_o happiness_n which_o be_v the_o end_n of_o love_a and_o therefore_o in_o all_o reason_n creature_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v think_v desirable_a it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v object_v that_o this_o be_v metaphysical_a nonsense_n for_o the_o creature_n be_v so_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o our_o good_a that_o whilst_o we_o be_v in_o the_o world_n we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v happy_a that_o 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