Husband and wife are bound to love one another with a tender, abiding, restful love, and this tie stands foremost by God’s order and will. And I say the same with respect to children and all near relations, as also friends in their respective degrees. But generally speaking, how is it with you as concerning your neighbor? Do you love him cordially, and for God’s Sake? In order to answer this fairly, you must call to mind sundry disagreeable, annoying people, for it is in such cases that we really practice the Love of God with respect to our neighbors, and still more towards them that do us wrong, either by word or deed. Examine whether your heart is thoroughly clear as regards all such and whether it costs you a great effort to love them. Are you quick to speak ill of your neighbors, especially those who do not love you? Do you act unkindly in any way, directly or indirectly, towards them? A very little honest self-dealing will enable you to find this out.
