Book III. of Jesus Christ. 13^

to excel Others, I may daily excel my felf. Teach me the Song of Love, and receive me up on high, to Him in whom my Soul delighteth, and till me with fuch Raptures of Joy and Praife, that even Senfe and Life may be fwallowed up in Blifs. Let me love thee much more than my felf j nay, love my felf and all good Men^ to whom thou art dear, only in and for Thee ; For fo haft thou commanded in that Law of ' ove, which is but as it were a Beam and Efflux of thy ewn Glorious and Divine Excellence.
The Love of God is nimble in its Motions, fincere in its Intentions, ardent and zealoub in Devotion, fweet to the Soul, brave in Attempting, >atient in Enduring, faithful in Executing, prudent in Adion, (low in Re- fentment, generous and manly, andfeeks nottop'eafe the Perfon's felf, but the Perfon beloved. For, where a Man feeks his own Advantage only, there Incereft, not Love, is the Principle upon which he moves. Love is cautious and circumfped, upright and humble, not foft and effeminate, not fickle and fanciful ; not fond of Vanities ,• but fober and grave, chaft and refined, conftant and fedate, fevere and referved. This dif- pofes us to fubmiflion and refped towards our Supe- riors ; to a mean and modeft Opinion of our felves ; to Gratitude and Devotion towards God j it infpires Hope and holy Truft, eveninTimesof Calamity and Difcomfort : And neceffary it is that it fiiould do fo, fince no Man is fo happy as to love wichout Pain, or always to live under the Light of God's Countenance, fo as that no Clouds fhould ever intercept the cheer- ing Warmth of his Favour, and create fome dark Intervals.
That Man therefore does not deferve the Character of One that loves God, who is not difpofed and con- tent to fufFer any Affli vidence fees fit to inflicft ; or thinks much to do what- everhis Will declares fit to be performed. In a word^
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The hardeit and moil unpalatable Proofs of our Vir- tue beft declare the Fervency and Sinceiity of it ^ And, if Difaflers or Calamitous Accidents cool or draw off our Affedions, this is an Argument^ that a Man is not vet what the Jpofile requires we Epbef.iii. 17. ^(.^\^ ^\\ be^ p^Q^f^^ and grounded in Love.
Chap. VII.
The Tryal of True hove.
Chrlfi.'] T Have obfcrved^ my Son, thy Notions of " Divine Love | but Thou, alas !, art not yet arrived to that refolute Bravery and Prudence there defcribed.
Difciple.'] Lord, make me fenfible wherein I fail, and teach me how to mend it.
Chrtfi.'] A fmall Temptation fliocks thy Obedience. Thou boggleft at Difficulties, and" falleftifrom thy own Sredfaftnefs, if I feem to withdraw my Favour. The Comforts and Affiftances of Grace are to be wifh'd with Zeal, but not with Im.patience : Nor mayeft thou fo fet thy Heart upon them, as prefently to re- coil, if fuch Supplies do not at all times anfwer thy Exped-ation. I hide my Face to try thy Courage. For true Chriftian Magnanimity is moft eminently feen in Troubles and Diltreffes j in turning the Deaf Ear to all thbfe crafty Infmuations of the Enemy^ which take the Advantage of Melancholy and deep Perplexity of Heart, to ruin and fed uce unftable Souls by tempting them to defpair. This Virtue rejoices in Profperity, but does it with fuch Temper, as not to be offended, and fall away by Reafon of Adverfity.
He that loves prudently, keeps his E^es upon the Civer^ confiders the Kindnefs and Difpofition of his
Friend^