Now what is thus possible with relation to ourselves, is possible with relation to others. We may have the highest good wishes towards them, desiring for them every good that we desire for ourselves, and yet at the same time dislike their way of life.
19. To conclude, all that love which we may justly have for ourselves, we are in strict justice obliged to exercise towards all other men; and we offend against the great law of our nature, when our tempers towards others are different from those which we have towards ourselves.
Now that self-love which is just and reasonable, keeps us constantly tender, compassionate, and well-affected towards ourselves. If therefore you don’t feel these kind dispositions towards all other people, you may be assured, that you are not in that state of charity, which is the very life and soul of Christian piety.
You know how it hurts you, to be made the jest and ridicule of other people; how it grieves you to be robbed of your reputation: if therefore you expose others to scorn and contempt in any degree; if it pleases you to see or hear of their frailties and infirmities; or if you are only loth to conceal their faults, you are so far from loving such people as yourself, that you may be justly supposed to have as much hatred for them, as you have love for yourself. For such tempers are as truly the proper fruits of hatred, as the contrary tempers are the proper fruits of love.
And as it is a certain sign that you love yourself, because you are tender of every thing that concerns you; so it is as certain a sign that you hate your neighbour, when you are pleased with any thing that hurts him.
CHAP. XVII.
Of the necessity and benefit of intercession, considered as an exercise of universal love. How all orders of men are to interceed with God for one another. How such intercession amends and reforms the heart.
1.THAT intercession is a great and necessary part of Christian devotion, is very evident from scripture.
The first followers of Christ seem to support all their love, by prayers for one another.