ion and relation, as he stands in
Christ's account, as he is radically and virtually of that seed, which
hath more real worth in it than all worldly privileges and dignities.
Consider him as he once shall be, when mortality shall be put off. Learn
to strip him naked of all infirmities in thy consideration, and imagine
him to be clothed with immortality, and glory, and think how thou wouldest
then love him. If either thou unclothe him of his infirmities, and
consider him as vested now with the robe of Christ's righteousness, and
all glorious within, or adorned with immortality and incorruption a little
hence; or else, if thou clothe thyself with such infirmities as thou seest
in him, and consider that thou art not less subject to failing, and
compassed with infirmities, then thou shalt put on, and keep on, that bond
of perfection, charity.

_Lastly_. Let us consider the excellent nature of charity, and how it is
interested in, and interwoven with all the royal and divine gifts and
privileges of a Christian. All of them are not ashamed of kindred and
cognation with charity. Is not the calling and profession of a Christian
honourable? Sure to any behoving soul it is above a monarchy; for it
includes an anointing both to a royal and priestly office, and carries a
title to a kingdom incorruptible and undefiled. Well then, charity is the
symbol and badge of this profession, John xiii. 35. "By this shall all
men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Then,
what is comparable to communion with God, and dwelling in him? Shall God
indeed dwell with men, said Solomon? That exalts the soul to a royalty,
and elevates it above mortality. _Quam contempta res est homo si supra
humana se non exerat!_ "How base and contemptible a thing is man, except
he lift up his head above human things to heavenly and divine!" And then
is the soul truly magnified while it is ascending to its own element, a
divine nature. What more gracious than this, for a soul to dwell in God?
And what more glorious than this, God to dwell in the soul? _Charitas te
domum Domini facit, et Dominum domum tibi. Felix artifex charitas quae
conditori suo domum fabricare potest!_ "Love makes the soul a house for
the Lord, and makes the Lord a house to the soul. Happy artificer that
can build a house for its master!" Love bringeth him, who is the chief
among ten thousand, into the chambers of the heart. It lays him all night
between its bre