2. This then was the very essence of his faith, a divine ἔλεγχος[16] of the love of God the Father, through the Son of his love, to him a sinner, now _accepted in the Beloved_. And _being justified by faith, he had peace with God_, yea _the peace of God ruling in his heart_: a peace, which _passing all understanding_, (πάντα νοῦν, all barely rational conception) _kept his heart and mind_ from all doubt and fear, through the _knowledge of him in whom he had believed_. He could not therefore _be afraid of any evil tidings; for his heart stood fast believing in the Lord_. He feared not what man could do unto him, knowing _the very hairs of his head were all numbered_. He feared not all the powers of darkness, which God was daily _bruising under his feet_. Least of all was he afraid to die; nay, he _desired to depart and be with Christ_; who _through death had destroyed him that had the power of death, even the devil; and delivered them who through fear of death, were all their life-time_, till then, _subject to bondage_. 3. _His soul_ therefore _magnified the Lord, and his spirit rejoiced in God his Saviour. He rejoiced in him with joy unspeakable, who had reconciled him to God, even the Father: in whom he had redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins._ He rejoiced in that _witness of God’s Spirit with his spirit, that he was a child of God_: and more abundantly, _in hope of the glory of God_, in hope of the glorious image of God, the full _renewal of his soul in righteousness and true holiness_; and in hope of that _crown of glory_, that _inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away_. 4. _The love of God_ was also _shed abroad in his heart, by the Holy Ghost which was given unto him. Because he was a son, God had sent forth the Spirit of his Son into his heart, crying, Abba, Father!_ And that filial love of God was continually increased by the _witness he had in himself_, of God’s pardoning love to him, by _beholding what manner of love it was, which the Father had bestowed upon him, that he should be called a child of God_. So that God was the desire of his eyes, and the joy of his heart; his portion in time and in eternity. 5. He that thus _loved God_, could not but _love his brother also_; and _not in word only, but in deed and in truth_. “_If God_, said he, _so loved us, we ought also to love one another_.” Yea, every soul of man, as the _mercy_ of God _is over all his works_. Agreeably hereto, the affection of this lover of God, embraced all mankind for his sake; not excepting those whom he had never seen in the flesh, or those of whom he knew nothing more than that they were _the offspring of God_; for whose souls his Son had died; not excepting the _evil_ and _unthankful_, and least of all his enemies, those who _hated, or persecuted, or despitefully used_ him for his Master’s sake. These had a peculiar place both in his heart and his prayers. He loved them _even as Christ loved us_.