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love_n god_n bear_v date_n from_o the_o first_o moment_n of_o our_o existence_n and_o be_v therefore_o the_o first_o duty_n that_o we_o owe_v he_o as_o thus_o immediate_o result_v from_o our_o have_v a_o be_v and_o thus_o be_v the_o love_n of_o god_n the_o first_o commandment_n and_o have_v the_o precedency_n in_o the_o scale_n of_o morality_n the_o other_o character_n that_o our_o saviour_n give_v of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v also_o the_o great_a commandment_n and_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o its_o dimension_n add_v one_o more_o than_o we_o attribute_v to_o body_n tell_v we_o of_o its_o breadth_n and_o length_n and_o depth_n and_o height_n but_o not_o how_o broad_a nor_o how_o long_o nor_o how_o deep_a nor_o how_o high_a and_o indeed_o with_o what_o line_n can_v the_o apostle_n measure_v such_o a_o immense_a vastness_n how_o can_v he_o paint_v light_a and_o flame_n or_o put_v that_o into_o word_n which_o pass_v not_o only_o all_o description_n but_o even_o all_o knowledge_n and_o indeed_o every_o thing_n but_o sense_n and_o experience_n well_o may_v our_o saviour_n call_v it_o the_o great_a commandment_n it_o be_v great_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v of_o the_o most_o weighty_a and_o concern_v importance_n to_o the_o final_a happiness_n of_o man._n great_a in_o the_o obligation_n of_o it_o which_o be_v absolute_o indispensable_a it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o god_n shall_v create_v any_o one_o spirit_n without_o oblige_v he_o to_o love_v he_o or_o that_o he_o shall_v ever_o discharge_v he_o from_o that_o obligation_n great_a in_o the_o equity_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a that_o we_o shall_v love_v god_n who_o be_v so_o infinite_o amiable_a so_o altogether_o lovely_a great_a in_o the_o power_n and_o virtue_n of_o it_o as_o be_v the_o most_o fruitful_a and_o prolific_a principle_n the_o root_n and_o seed_n of_o all_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n such_o as_o draw_v on_o with_o it_o the_o observation_n of_o all_o the_o commandment_n and_o be_v therefore_o the_o short_a line_n the_o most_o compendious_a way_n to_o god_n and_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v indeed_o the_o general_a seisin_n the_o universal_a ingredient_n of_o all_o a_o good_a man_n action_n it_o be_v that_o precious_a tincture_n that_o chemical_a spirit_n that_o run_v through_o all_o and_o that_o noble_a divine_a elixir_n which_o give_v worth_a and_o value_n to_o all_o and_o convert_v even_o our_o mean_a and_o most_o indifferent_a action_n into_o religion_n and_o devotion_n great_a last_o in_o the_o pleasure_n and_o duration_n of_o it_o as_o love_n be_v the_o most_o pleasant_a passion_n so_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v the_o most_o please_v love_n a_o love_n that_o reward_v itself_o a_o fire_n that_o be_v its_o own_o fuel_n he_o that_o love_v god_n as_o he_o ought_v as_o he_o can_v so_o he_o need_v not_o love_v any_o thing_n else_o so_o great_a delight_n and_o entertainment_n will_v he_o find_v in_o the_o love_n of_o god._n which_o will_v also_o go_v along_o with_o he_o into_o the_o other_o life_n and_o be_v the_o life_n of_o that_o life_n then_o all_o the_o instrumental_a and_o ministerial_a virtue_n shall_v expire_v and_o be_v of_o no_o further_a use._n whether_o they_o be_v prophecy_n they_o shall_v fail_v etc._n etc._n even_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n which_o be_v now_o so_o high_o magnify_v as_o the_o beginning_n of_o wisdom_n shall_v then_o cease_v for_o perfect_a love_n shall_v cast_v it_o out_o faith_n shall_v vanish_v hope_n shall_v be_v swallow_v up_o and_o prayer_n itself_o shall_v be_v silent_a only_a love_n and_o praise_n shall_v endure_v and_o vie_v with_o each_o other_o to_o all_o eternity_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o general_a concern_v which_o all_o i_o have_v say_v seem_v little_a when_o i_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o your_o most_o exalt_a and_o seraphic_a strain_n upon_o it_o i_o intend_v in_o my_o next_o to_o add_v something_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o love_a god_n so_o entire_o as_o i_o state_n it_o in_o my_o sermon_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o deliver_v up_o this_o noble_a subject_n to_o a_o better_a hand_n desire_v you_o to_o communicate_v what_o further_a thought_n you_o have_v upon_o it_o and_o to_o believe_v he_o that_o write_v this_o to_o be_v in_o all_o sincerity_n madam_n your_o most_o humble_a servant_n j._n norris_n bemerton_n jan._n 11._o 1693._o letter_n vii_o to_o mr._n norris_n sir_n i_o be_o glad_a we_o be_v come_v to_o so_o good_a a_o issue_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o debate_n and_o shall_v therefore_o immediate_o apply_v myself_o to_o that_o most_o necessary_a and_o delightful_a theme_n which_o be_v the_o noble_a entertainment_n of_o our_o thought_n the_o best_a improvement_n of_o our_o mind_n at_o present_a and_o will_v be_v the_o inexhaustible_a spring_n of_o our_o joy_n hereafter_o the_o love_n of_o god._n i_o can_v but_o admire_v the_o sottishness_n of_o those_o dull_a epicurean_o who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o hunt_v after_o pleasure_n as_o vain_a and_o unsatisfactory_a as_o their_o admirer_n be_v childish_a and_o unwise_a and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n turn_v their_o back_n on_o this_o vast_a repository_n of_o solid_a and_o substantial_a joy_n a_o joy_n who_o perpetual_a current_n always_o afford_v a_o fresh_a delight_n and_o yet_o every_o drop_n of_o it_o so_o entertain_v that_o we_o may_v live_v upon_o it_o to_o all_o eternity_n whilst_o our_o soul_n be_v inebriate_v with_o its_o pleasure_n our_o very_a body_n partake_v of_o its_o sweetness_n for_o it_o excite_v a_o grateful_a and_o easy_a motion_n in_o the_o animal_n spirit_n and_o cause_v such_o a_o agreeble_a movement_n of_o the_o passion_n as_o comprehend_v all_o that_o delight_n abstract_v from_o the_o uneasiness_n which_o other_o object_n be_v apt_a to_o occasion_n our_o passion_n although_o they_o have_v both_o their_o use_n and_o pleasure_n yet_o as_o we_o usual_o feel_v they_o be_v blend_v with_o so_o much_o pain_n that_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o determine_v whether_o the_o good_a or_o evil_n they_o do_v we_o be_v the_o great_a and_o a_o man_n sometime_o overpays_a for_o his_o mirth_n by_o that_o sting_n of_o sorrow_n which_o attend_v it_o however_o i_o be_o not_o for_o a_o stoical_a apathy_n i_o will_v not_o have_v my_o hand_n and_o foot_n cut_v off_o lest_o they_o shall_v sometime_o incommode_v i_o the_o fault_n be_v not_o in_o our_o passion_n consider_v in_o themselves_o but_o in_o our_o voluntary_a misapplication_n and_o unsuitable_a management_n of_o they_o and_o if_o love_n which_o be_v the_o lead_n and_o master_n passion_n be_v but_o once_o wise_o regulate_v our_o passion_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o rebel_a against_o and_o disquiet_v we_o that_o on_o the_o contrary_n they_o will_v mighty_o facilitate_v the_o great_a work_n we_o have_v to_o do_v give_v wing_n to_o this_o earthly_a body_n that_o press_v down_o the_o soul_n and_o in_o a_o good_a measure_n remove_v those_o impediment_n that_o hinder_v she_o from_o mount_v to_o the_o original_a and_o end_v of_o she_o be_v what_o be_v it_o that_o make_v our_o joy_n tumultuous_a and_o flit_a our_o fear_n torment_v our_o hope_n disquiet_v etc._n etc._n but_o the_o irregularity_n of_o our_o desire_n if_o we_o love_v amiss_o we_o shall_v both_o fear_v and_o hope_n grieve_v and_o rejoice_v without_o reason_n and_o in_o a_o wrong_a measure_n we_o shall_v lash_v out_o into_o a_o thousand_o extravagancy_n and_o be_v as_o unhappy_a as_o we_o be_v unwise_a and_o unreasonable_a whereas_o if_o we_o tune_v our_o love_n to_o the_o right_a key_n we_o need_v not_o be_v apprehensive_a of_o discord_n among_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o passion_n all_o their_o motion_n will_v be_v natural_a and_o regular_a and_o all_o concert_n in_o a_o become_a harmony_n the_o divine_a nature_n be_v a_o field_n in_o which_o our_o grateful_a passion_n may_v free_o take_v their_o range_v if_o we_o make_v god_n the_o object_n of_o our_o desire_n our_o hope_n will_v neither_o delude_v nor_o our_o joy_n forsake_v we_o there_o be_v no_o serpent_n lurk_v in_o this_o grass_n all_o be_v calm_a and_o placid_a secure_a and_o entertain_v and_o yet_o unwise_a that_o we_o be_v how_o hard_o be_v it_o to_o drive_v we_o to_o our_o felicity_n how_o difficult_a to_o convince_v we_o of_o our_o happiness_n how_o many_o evasion_n do_v we_o find_v to_o withhold_v our_o love_n from_o he_o who_o require_v it_o not_o for_o his_o own_o but_o our_o advantage_n when_o shall_v we_o be_v i_o need_v not_o say_v so_o just_a to_o god_n but_o so_o kind_a to_o ourselves_o as_o total_o to_o withdraw_v every_o straggle_a desire_n from_o the_o creature_n the_o very_o best_a of_o which_o be_v not_o able_a to_o satisfy_v the_o long_n and_o fill_v the_o
virtue_n of_o a_o bare_a submission_n consist_v such_o a_o passive_a obedience_n to_o god_n be_v like_o the_o new_a notion_n some_o have_v get_v of_o passive_a obedience_n to_o their_o governor_n a_o be_v content_a to_o suffer_v when_o we_o know_v not_o how_o to_o help_v it_o but_o our_o divine_a amourist_n have_v a_o entire_a complacency_n in_o whatever_o god_n allot_v he_o in_o a_o manner_n go_v forth_o to_o meet_v it_o choose_v justify_v and_o rejoice_v in_o it_o but_o i_o must_v not_o omit_v what_o the_o holy_a scripture_n make_v a_o peculiar_a character_n and_o special_a effect_n of_o divine_a love_n and_o that_o be_v the_o love_n of_o our_o neighbour_n that_o it_o be_v so_o need_v no_o proof_n be_v express_o affirm_v by_o our_o lord_n himself_o and_o his_o belove_a disciple_n let_v we_o inquire_v a_o little_a into_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v so_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v this_o god_n by_o the_o prerogative_n of_o his_o nature_n his_o infinite_a beneficence_n and_o love_n to_o we_o have_v a_o right_a to_o all_o our_o love_n whether_o it_o be_v love_n of_o desire_n or_o love_n of_o benevolence_n but_o withal_o be_v no_o proper_a object_n of_o the_o latter_a by_o reason_n of_o his_o infinite_a fullness_n have_v therefore_o think_v fit_a to_o devolve_v all_o his_o right_n to_o that_o love_n on_o our_o neighbour_n and_o to_o require_v as_o strict_a a_o payment_n of_o it_o to_o his_o proxy_n as_o if_o he_o be_v capable_a of_o receive_v it_o himself_o by_o this_o notion_n we_o may_v fair_o understand_v st._n john_n reason_v in_o his_o 1_o sy_n epist._n chap._n 4._o 20._o a_o text_n which_o those_o expositor_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o give_v methinks_v but_o a_o crude_a interpretation_n of_o and_o beside_o the_o love_n of_o god_n press_v we_o to_o such_o a_o exact_a imitation_n of_o he_o as_o i_o show_v in_o my_o last_o and_o god_n be_v in_o nothing_o more_o imitable_a than_o in_o his_o charity_n and_o communicativeness_n our_o love_n to_o he_o will_v require_v we_o to_o transcribe_v this_o most_o lovely_a pattern_n and_o to_o do_v all_o the_o good_a we_o can_v to_o those_o who_o he_o be_v constant_o pursue_v with_o his_o benefit_n it_o likewise_o teach_v we_o the_o true_a measure_n of_o benevolence_n which_o be_v to_o bestow_v the_o great_a share_n of_o our_o love_n on_o those_o who_o be_v dear_a to_o god_n and_o do_v most_o resemble_v he_o i_o can_v forbear_v to_o reckon_v it_o a_o irregular_a affection_n and_o a_o effect_n of_o vicious_a self-love_n to_o love_v any_o person_n mere_o on_o account_n of_o his_o relation_n to_o we_o all_o other_o motive_n be_v equal_a this_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o weigh_v down_o the_o scale_n but_o certain_o no_o man_n be_v the_o better_a in_o himself_o for_o be_v akin_a to_o i_o and_o nothing_o but_o a_o overween_a opinion_n of_o myself_o can_v induce_v i_o to_o think_v so_o i_o shall_v therefore_o choose_v to_o derive_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o be_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o regard_v our_o relation_n rather_o from_o justice_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o oeconomy_n than_o from_o love_n for_o since_o the_o ability_n of_o man_n be_v finite_a and_o determinate_a and_o he_o can_v universal_o extend_v any_o act_n of_o benevolence_n but_o prayer_n and_o wish_n it_o be_v therefore_o reasonable_a he_o shall_v begin_v to_o communicate_v his_o benefit_n to_o those_o within_o his_o own_o verge_n and_o district_n who_o want_v he_o be_v best_o acquaint_v with_o and_o can_v most_o convenient_o supply_v who_o benefit_n to_o he_o be_v presume_v to_o require_v this_o return_n or_o else_o their_o necessity_n bespeak_v he_o the_o fit_a author_n of_o their_o relief_n i_o further_o observe_v that_o resignation_n and_o charity_n be_v the_o test_n by_o which_o god_n explore_v every_o man_n love_n by_o the_o one_o he_o try_v the_o prosperous_a by_o the_o other_o the_o afflict_a he_o therefore_o who_o have_v this_o world_n good_a and_o withhold_v his_o assistance_n from_o his_o brother_n who_o need_v it_o and_o he_o who_o because_o he_o have_v not_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n murmur_n and_o grudge_n at_o their_o dispensation_n and_o envy_v they_o that_o have_v can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o he_o in_o the_o last_o place_n a_o true_a lover_n of_o god_n be_v always_o consistent_a with_o himself_o one_o part_n of_o his_o life_n do_v not_o clash_n and_o disagree_v with_o the_o other_o he_o that_o have_v many_o love_n have_v by_o consequence_n many_o end_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o too_o often_o see_v many_o who_o in_o the_o main_n be_v good_a people_n lash_v out_o into_o some_o particular_a irregularity_n which_o like_o a_o fly_n in_o a_o box_n of_o ointment_n mar_v the_o sweetness_n and_o destroy_v the_o loveliness_n of_o their_o virtue_n and_o bring_v a_o reproach_n on_o religion_n itself_o the_o vulgar_a and_o man_n of_o carnal_a appetite_n partly_o out_o of_o ignorance_n and_o partly_o to_o lighten_v as_o they_o fancy_v their_o own_o crime_n be_v too_o prone_a to_o reflect_v that_o dash_n of_o secular_a interest_n that_o time-serving_a or_o overgreat_a solicitude_n for_o the_o world_n or_o perhaps_o their_o too_o great_a opinion_n of_o themselves_o or_o censoriousness_n on_o other_o which_o zealous_a pretender_n to_o piety_n be_v sometime_o apt_a to_o slip_v into_o even_o on_o that_o unblemished_a beauty_n who_o livery_n they_o wear_v which_o i_o be_o sure_a give_v no_o allowance_n to_o such_o unsuitable_a mixture_n however_o her_o votary_n happen_v to_o admit_v they_o but_o when_o we_o act_v by_o this_o one_o grand_a principle_n the_o love_n of_o god_n our_o life_n be_v uniform_a and_o regular_a wherein_o the_o great_a beauty_n of_o piety_n consist_v for_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o be_v man_n pretence_n what_o they_o will_v that_o life_n only_o be_v true_o religious_a which_o be_v all_o of_o a_o piece_n when_o a_o man_n have_v deliberate_o bottom_v on_o well-chosen_a and_o solid_a principle_n without_o fear_n or_o favour_n act_v constant_o and_o steady_o according_a to_o they_o to_o conclude_v this_o divine_a love_n be_v the_o seal_n of_o our_o adoption_n the_o earnest_a of_o the_o spirit_n in_o our_o heart_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o soul_n that_o true_o love_v god_n shall_v ever_o fail_v of_o enjoy_v he_o it_o be_v the_o antipast_a of_o our_o happiness_n here_o and_o the_o full_a consummation_n of_o it_o hereafter_o thrice_o happy_a soul_n that_o can_v look_v through_o the_o veil_n and_o notwithstanding_o that_o thick_a cloud_n of_o creature_n that_o obscure_v thy_o view_n discern_v he_o that_o be_v invisible_a live_v in_o the_o light_n of_o his_o countenance_n all_o the_o time_n of_o thy_o sojourn_v here_o and_o at_o last_o pure_a and_o defecate_a with_o a_o kiss_n of_o thy_o belove_a breath_n out_o thyself_o into_o his_o sacred_a bosom_n and_o now_o sir_n i_o have_v do_v for_o what_o have_v i_o further_a to_o add_v since_o i_o can_v sufficient_o express_v how_o much_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o you_o as_o for_o all_o your_o other_o favour_n so_o particular_o that_o you_o give_v i_o occasion_n to_o declare_v myself_o worthy_a sir_n your_o most_o unfeigned_a friend_n as_o well_o as_o humble_a servant_n june_n 21._o 1694._o appendix_n two_o letter_n by_o way_n of_o review_n to_o mr._n norris_n you_o will_v wonder_v sir_n that_o i_o look_v back_o upon_o a_o finish_v subject_a but_o because_o you_o have_v in_o these_o letter_n answer_v most_o of_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o your_o print_a discourse_n and_o because_o i_o be_o very_o desirous_a your_o hypothesis_n shall_v appear_v in_o its_o full_a light_n though_o in_o my_o first_o i_o concede_v one_o of_o the_o main_a thing_n you_o contend_v for_o viz._n that_o god_n be_v the_o only_a efficient_a cause_n of_o all_o our_o sensation_n yet_o since_o very_o many_o object_n against_o this_o proposition_n and_o something_o have_v offer_v itself_o to_o my_o thought_n perhaps_o not_o altogether_o impertinent_a give_v i_o leave_v to_o examine_v the_o matter_n a_o little_o furrh_a and_o methinks_v the_o main_a stress_n of_o the_o objection_n lie_v in_o these_o two_o point_n first_o that_o this_o theory_n render_v a_o great_a part_n of_o god_n workmanship_n vain_a and_o useless_a second_o that_o it_o do_v not_o well_o comport_v with_o his_o majesty_n for_o the_o first_o that_o this_o theory_n render_v a_o great_a part_n of_o god_n workmanship_n vain_a and_o useless_a it_o may_v be_v thus_o argue_v allow_v that_o sensation_n be_v only_o in_o the_o soul_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o body_n but_o magnitude_n figure_n and_o motion_n and_o that_o be_v without_o thought_n itself_o it_o be_v not_o able_a to_o produce_v it_o in_o we_o and_o therefore_o those_o sensation_n whether_o of_o pleasure_n or_o pain_n which_o we_o