a general
love to all the creatures, from whence the river of his goodness flows out
through the earth, and in that, is like the sun conveying his light and
benign influence, without partiality or restraint, to the whole world, but
his special favour runs in a more narrow channel towards these whom he
hath chosen in Christ; so in this a Christian should be like his Father,
and there is nothing in which he resembles him more than in this, to walk
in love towards all men, even our enemies. For in this he gives us a
pattern, Matt. v. 44, 45: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children
of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the
evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." To
do good to all, and to be ready to forgive all, is the glory of God, and
certainly it is the glory of a child of God to be merciful as his Father
is merciful, and good to all, and kind to the unthankful. And this is to
be perfect as he is perfect. This perfection is charity and love to all.
But the particular and special current of affection will run toward the
household of faith, those who are of the same descent, and family, and
love. This drawn into such a compass, is the badge and livery of his
disciples. These two in a Christian are nothing but the reflex of the love
of God, and streams issuing out from it. A Christian walking in love to
all, blessing his enemies, praying for them, not reviling or cursing
again, but blessing for cursing, and praying for reviling, forgiving all,
and ready to give to the necessities of all, and more especially, uniting
the force of his love and delight, to bestow it upon these who are the
excellent ones, and delight of God, such a one is his Father's picture, so
to speak. He is partaker of that divine nature, and royal spirit of love.
Gal. vi. 10: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." 1 Thess.
iii. 12, 13: "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one
towards another, and towards all men, even as we do towards you, to the
end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even
our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints."

It is foretold by our Lord Jesus Christ, that in the last da