Gods children cannot but naturally love one another.
This was Davids affection (Psalme 16.) when he look't upon Gods children as the excellent of the Earth, and placed all his delight in them: Thus Jonathan though he lost his Fathers love for Davids, though he was to loose a Kingdom by David, yet he loves him as his own Soul.
Thus Ruth so loved that holy woman Naomi, that although she were growne poor, a widow, and now in a tedious travel from Moab to Israel, and Naomi did also intreat her and her sister to goe back, and Orpah her sister was already returned to her kindred and her Gods, yet such was the flame of her holy affection, that she intreats Naomi not to intreat her: Intreat me not to leave thee, for whether thou goest I will goe, where thou dyest I will dye, and there will I be buried: thy God shall be my God, &c.
Worldly men may in a kind love Gods people.
Object. May not wicked persons favour, love, and respect Gods children? Did not Saul greatly respect Samuel; and for a while Herod, John the Baptist? Did not Michol love King David, as well as did her brother Jonathan? yea did not David finde wonderfull favour in the eyes of a Philistian Achaz?
I answer, The nature and the grounds of the love of naturall persons to Gods children must be rightly distinguished: Gods children themselves may and ought to love each other, and others also, according to any naturall and civill Relation; yet onely Gods children can love Gods children for the grace and spirit of God, which they see and finde in each other.
But Gods children can only love each other with a spirituall love.
Thus as two Candles or Torches they spiritually close and embrace each other with heavenly affection, being of one common heavenly nature together. Thus Countrey-men meeting in strange and forraign nations presently know each other by their language, &c.
Thus Brethren rejoyce to finde each other in strange places, and to know themselves the sons of one Father and Mother.
Thus Fellow-souldiers which stick close each to other in life and death, yea, although routed, disordered and flying, if possible they can discerne and know each other.