[1.] Concerning our love to the brethren, whether it be such as is a distinguishing character of those who are Christ’s friends and followers; or which, as the apostle expresses it, will afford an evidence to us, that we are _passed from death to life_, 1 John iii. 14. And, in order to our discovering this, let us examine ourselves, whether we love the brethren, because we behold the image of God in them? Which is, in effect, to love and _glorify God in them_, Gal. i. 24. Again, whether our love to men leads us to desire and endeavour to be reckoned a common good to all, according to the utmost of our ability? As it is said of Mordecai, that _he was accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed_, Esther x. 8. Again, we are to enquire, whether our love be more especially to the souls of men, as well as their outward concerns? This consists in our using all suitable endeavours to bring them under conviction of sin, by faithful and well-timed reproofs; the contrary to which, or our refusing to rebuke our _neighbour or brother_, and thereby _suffering sin upon him_, is reckoned no other than an _hating_ of him, Lev. xix. 17. We are also to express our love to the souls of men, by endeavouring to persuade them to believe in Christ, if they are in an unconverted state, or to walk as becomes his gospel, if they have been made partakers of the grace thereof: Thus the apostle expresses his love to those to whom he writes, when he says, _I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you_, Gal. iv. 19. and elsewhere, he signifies to another of the churches, how _affectionately desirous_ he was _of them_; which made him _willing, not only to impart the gospel of God, but his own soul; because they were dear unto him_, 1 Thes. ii. 8. Again, we must enquire, whether our love puts us upon choosing such to be our associates that truly fear the Lord; whom we count, as the Psalmist expresses it, _The excellent, in whom is all our delight_? Psal. xvi. 3. and, on the other hand, whether we avoid the society of, or intimacy with, those that are Christ’s open enemies; the contrary to which, good Jehoshaphat was reproved for by the prophet, when he says, _Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?_ 2 Chron. xix. 2. Again, let us enquire, whether our love to men is then expressed when it is most needed? As it is said, _A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity_, Prov. xvii. 17. Again, whether we are inclined to all those acts of charity which covereth a multitude of faults? As the apostle describes it, that it _suffereth long, and is kind; envieth not; vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up; doth not behave itself unseemly; seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth: Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, and endureth all things_, 1 Cor. xiii. 4,-8.