16. That the follies therefore, and ill-behaviour of our fellow creatures, may not lessen that love which we are to have for all mankind, we should often consider the reasons on which this duty of love is founded. Now we are to love our neighbour, that is, all mankind, not because they are wise, holy or virtuous; for all mankind never was, nor ever will be so. Again, if their goodness were the reason of our being obliged to love people, we should have no _rule_ to proceed by; because tho’ some people’s virtues or vices are notorious, yet, generally speaking, we are but ill judges of the virtue of other people. _Thirdly_, We are sure that the virtue of persons, is not the reason of our being obliged to love them, because we are commanded to pay the highest instances of love to our worst enemies; we are to love, and bless, and pray for those that most injuriously treat us. This therefore is demonstration, that the merit of persons is not the reason on which our obligation to love them is founded. Let us farther consider what that love is which we owe to our neighbour; it is to love him as ourselves, that is, to wish him every thing that we may lawfully wish to ourselves; to be glad of every good, and sorry for every evil that happens to him: and to be ready to do him all such acts of kindness, as we are always ready to do ourselves. This love therefore, you see, is nothing but a love of _benevolence_; it requires nothing of us, but good _wishes_, _tender affections_, and such acts of kindness, as we shew to ourselves. 17. Now we are obliged to this love, in imitation of God’s goodness, that we may be children of our Father which is in heaven, who willeth the happiness of all his creatures, and maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good. Again, our redemption, by Jesus Christ, calleth us to the exercise of this love, who came from heaven, and laid down his life, out of love, to the whole sinful world. _Lastly_, Our Lord and Saviour has required us to love one another, as he loved us. These are the great, perpetual reasons, on which our obligation to love all mankind as ourselves is founded. These reasons never vary; they always continue in their full force; and therefore equally oblige at all times, and in regard to all persons. God loves us, not because we are wise, and good, and holy, but in pity to us, because we want this happiness. He loves us, in order to make us good. Our love therefore must take this course; not looking for, or requiring the merit of our brethren, but pitying their disorders, and wishing them all the good that they want, and are capable of receiving. 18. You will perhaps ask, if you are not to have a _particular esteem_ for good men? Yes; but this _esteem_ is very different from that love of _benevolence_ which we owe to our neighbour. The distinction betwixt love of benevolence, and esteem, is plain and obvious.