Synopsis
Excerpt from The Whole Works of the Rev. John Howe, M.A., With a Memoir of the Author, Vol. 6 of 8: Containing, I. The Love of God and Our Brother, in Seventeen Sermons, on 1 John 4. 20; II. Thirteen Sermons on Various Subjects; III. The Principles of the Oracles of God, Part 1
I. As to the former of these, that there is a greater diffi culty in the exercise of love to God than to men, we may col lect from the common observation of the world. For it is very plain and evident, that the common course and practice of men shews what is more easy to them, and what less it plainly dis covers which way they are most inclined. This is the thing, which I understand here by difficulty; and it answers the ia tent and force of the apostle's expression, How can he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? This plainly must be understood in a relative sense, and have respect to some agent, and here must have reference to ourselves. It is less easy to us, that is, it is a thing which our nature in our present state doth less incline us to, actually to live in the exercise of love towards God, than towards men. And, I say, what men are more or less inclined to, is to be seen in their common course; and from the com mon observation of the state and posture of the world we may gather, that men in general are less inclined to love God, than one another. And though it be very true, there is too little of love, kindness, and mutual affection among men, and a great neglect of justice, common honesty, and the other duties of the second table, which love must be understood to compre hend; yet certainly the instances are not so rare of persons that are kind, courteous, affectionate, and well-lrumoured one to another, as of persons well-affected towards God. This is a thing which commands our assent even at the very first sight. Nay further, though it is also no less true, that men are too much lovers of themselves, to the exclusion not only of God, but of men too yet certainly there is more of love to men, than to God, prevailing in the world. And to make this out let us go to the usual evidences and expressions of love such as mindfulness of others, trust in them, a readiness to be concerned for their interest, a studious care to please them, loving to converse with them, or seeking and being pleased with it, and the like. Lf we descend, I say, to the considera tion of such evidences of love as these are, we shall find that man is generally better beloved, than God is. And that this may gain the greater possession of our souls, let us a little con sider these particular evidences of love and then see whether men are not generally more beloved by one another, than God is by them hereby we shall plainly see, what is most agreea ble to their temper, and what not. And.
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