33. The next in amiableness is the whole angelical society, or the orders of intellectual spirits above man.
34. The next is the spirits of the just made perfect, or the triumphant church of saints in heaven.
35. The next is all this lower world.
36. The next is the church in the world, or militant on earth.
37. The next are the particular kingdoms and societies of the world, (and so the churches,) according to their various degrees.
38. The next, under societies and multitudes, are those individual persons who are best in the three forementioned respects, whether ourselves or others. And thus, by the objects, should our love that is rational be diversified in degree, and that be loved best that is best.
39. The amiable image of God in man is (as hath oft been said): 1. Our natural image of God, or the image of his three essential properties as such, that is, our vital, active power, our intellect, and our will. 2. Our moral image, or the image of his said properties in their perfections, viz. our holiness, that is, our holy life or spiritual vivacity and active power, our holy light or wisdom, our holy wills or love. 3. Our relative image of God, or the image of his supereminency, dominion, or majesty; which is, 1. Common to man, in respect to the inferior creatures, that we are their owners, governors, and end (and benefactors); 2. Eminently in rulers of men, parents, and princes, who are analogically sub-owners, sub-rulers, and sub-benefactors to their inferiors, in various degrees. By which it is discernible what it is that we are to love in man, and with what variety of kinds and degrees of love, as the kinds and degrees of amiableness in the objects differ.
40. Even the sun, and moon, and frame of nature, the inanimates and brutes, must be loved in that degree compared to man, and to one another, as their goodness before described, that is, the impressions of the divine perfections, do more or less gloriously appear in them, and as they are adapted to him the ultimate end.
41. As God is in this life seen but darkly and as in a glass, so also proportionably to be loved; for our love cannot exceed our knowledge.