of infinite calamities, as well as corruptions of faith and manners, in the Christian world.
The last legacy of Christ was peace and mutual love; but then he foretold, that he came to send a sword upon the earth: the primitive Christians accepted the legacy, and their successors down to the present age have been largely fulfilling his prophecy. But whatever the practice of mankind hath been, or still continues, there is no duty more incumbent upon those who profess the Gospel, than that of brotherly love; which whoever could restore in any degree among men, would be an instrument of more good to human society, than ever was, or will be done by all the statesmen and politicians in the world.
It is upon this subject of brotherly love, that I intend to discourse, at present, and the method I observe shall be as follows:
I. First, I shall enquire into the causes of this great want of brotherly love among us.
This nation of ours hath, for a hundred years past, been infested by two enemies, the papists and fanaticks: who, each in their turns, filled it with blood
and
