Christian Love

by Hugh Binning

In this Treatise of Christian Love , the Scottish Covenanting minister Hugh Binning movingly presents the need for Christians to show by their love for one another that they belong to Christ. Basing his remarks on John 13:35, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another, he argues, 'This badge that Christ left to his if we cast this away on every disagreement, we disown our Master, and disclaim his token and badge.'

Binning describes the excellence of Christian love, demonstrating its nature from 1 Corinthians 13. He gives strong reasons why Christians should love one another, and shows that love is rooted in Christian humility and meekness, after the pattern of Christ himself.

Also included in this edition are three sermons from Binning's work The Sinner's Sanctuary , an exposition of Romans 8:1-15.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2004

About the author

Hugh Binning (1627 - 53) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and scholar.

Binning was the son of a wealthy landowner. As a young boy he showed a strong aptitude for learning and religious exercises. He graduated from the College of Glasgow in 1646 and soon afterwards, despite his youth, was elected to the chair of Philosophy in the College. Ordained Minister of Govan, near Glasgow, in 1650, he is said to have impressed Oliver Cromwell by the force of his reasoning.

In the division of the Scottish Church into Resolutioners and Protesters he took the side of the Protesters, but maintained an irenic spirit and in this context wrote his Treatise of Christian Love. He died in 1653 aged only 26. Though his preaching differed from that of most of his contemporaries in having fewer divisions and sub-divisions, it was warm and practical and gained him great popularity. James Durham said, 'There is no speaking after Mr. Binning.'

Reviews

[Paul Cattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of great insights that the author wrote concerning love (quite remarkable for such a young man). It helped me see that the greatest way to increase my love is if I decrease (i.e grow in humility) as Christ himself exemplified. Pride or self-love is what the root issue as to why our love for others is weak and is hindered.
The only issue with this book that I had was with the syntax (had to reread some sentences a few times over to understand).

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was originally on my list of books to read in 2022 so I'm only 3 years behind, LOL. It is a short (100 pgs), easy to read book and unlike any other Puritans I have read. Binning was only in his 20's when he wrote Christian Love (and sadly, when he died) and the grace and insight he displays is remarkable. I do wish he had lived longer to write a 2nd edition, I wonder if he would have had something to say what it looks like to love our brethren while also loving those who our brethren are hurting.

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes:
“There is a greater moment and weight of Christianity in charity than in the most part of those things for which Christians bite and devour one another.. unity in judgment is very needful for the well-being of Christians; but Christ’s last words persuade this, that unity in affection is more central and fundamental; this is the badge he left to his disciples; if we cast away this upon every different apprehension of mind, we disown our master and disclaim his token and badge.”

“They who have discretion and judgment will not be so wedded to their own conceits but that in humility they can forbear and forgive for the sake of peace. And though this seem harsh and bitter at first, to a passionate and distempered mind, yet, oh, how sweet it is after! There is a greater sweetness and refreshment in the peaceable condescension of a man's spirit and the quiet passing by of an injury than the highest satisfaction that ever revenge or contention gave to any man.”

[Lawson Hembree · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short read on the distinctions of Christian love as opposed to other forms of love. Binning grounds the uniqueness of the love that Christians have for their fellow believers and their fellow man in the astounding love of God displayed in redeeming rebellious sinners. Chapter 2 on the “Excellence of Christian Love” is by far the best chapter.

[Hollie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!! The whole book is a gold mine. The last three chapters are sermons on prayer which are wonderfully edifying.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The unity of the world of mankind is dissolved; one is distracted from another, each following their own private inclinations and inordinate affections, which is the poison of enmity, and seed of all discord." p. 3

"The first principles of love would have made all men's actions and courses flow into one ocean of divine glory and mutual edification ... But self-love has turned all the channels backward towards itself." p. 4

"Now, the Lord Jesus having redeemed lost man and repaired his ruins, makes up this breach, especially restoring this fundamental ordinance of our creation and uniting men again to God and to one another. Therefore He is our peace; He hath removed the seeds of discord between God and man, and between man and man." p. 4

This book was magnificent. It said nothing so difficult to understand (in our minds) and yet it said something that changes lives, brings peace, and turns our hearts to God.

In explaining the concept of Christian love Mr. Binning always maintained his focus on Jesus Christ, on who He is and what He did. The Gospel was never far from the picture because it was the picture. (Christian love flows from the Gospel because Christ is the Gospel).

Binning knew the roots of true love and he found these roots in Christ alone. I will be rereading this book for the rest of my life, especially since I am so unfaithful to love God and then to love my neighbor. It is a healthy antidote to my pride.

[Rick Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meditations on Christian charity. Binning was writing in a time of political strife, and in many ways this book seems like it could have been written today. It's potent stuff.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unhappy coincidence in today's society (and I'm sure in most all previous ones at that), is that the thing that Christian's are supposed to be known by is the very same thing we fail to do - namely show love to our fellow human beings. Binning explores the topic tediously and points out what should be obvious, but obviously isn't.

1. Christians should have a type of love that is different from the world's love. And not the dumb agape vs Eros difference. But the substantiated vs unsubstantiated. One loves because they were first loved, the other loves in order to be loved first.

2. Love looks different in extraneous circumstances, but there is a thread run seamlessly through all contexts. One can't thread without first having a needle running through it, and one can't truly love unless they recognize the nails run through His hands.

There is much more to be said, but Binning says it best.

[Jay King · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the book as a whole felt more like a 3 star, there were a few precious points of reflection that I find my heart dwelling on and encouraged by. His treatment of the nature of God’s love to us in chapter 3 as compared to our own motives to love, his reflection on humility in relation to charity (love) in chapter 5, and the last two sermons on fervency of spirit and prayer were particularly encouraging.

[Josep Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short but fascinating. Lots of insights into the human condition and the place that love (charity, in the XVII word in which this book was written) has in Christian life. Solid Puritan understandings that challenge the idea of Puritanism as a heartless thing.

[Seth Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugh Binning wrote this book in his early twenties in order to deal with the political tensions that were separating Christians. He is remarkably insightful though he was particularly young. It is very short, and chapters 2 and 3 are the best.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up bc it was the only book in my car one day when I had some free time & my phone battery was too low to use my kindle. It’s a short read, but ended up as one of my favorites for the year. Really encouraging and a lot to think about.

[Chola Mukanga · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful read. Like most puritans they do like to dance around the scriptures. So it is a little challenging to follow their train of thought.

[Mystie Winckler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puritan 💜.

[Rafael Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure gold. Binning's writing is marvelous and the insights are heart-warming and helpful. A good option for reading on the nature of Christian love, chiefly towards one another.

[C. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding insights on loving your neighbours

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, warms and inspires the heart with many an insight on one of the most important of subjects.

[Nick Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartening

[Caleb Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and articulate writing.

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and necessary.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

We show our love to God by loving others. And what prevents us from loving others, but our pride. Learn from Christ, who is our perfect example of humility. Humility will help us in esteeming others higher.


"Self-love is the greatest enemy to true Christian love, and pride is the fountain of self-love."

"Faith of things inevident and obscure shall be drowned in the vision of seeing God's face clearly; hope of things to come shall be exhausted in the possession and fruition of them; but love only remains in its own nature and notion; only it is perfected by the addition of so many degrees as may suit that blessed estate. Therefore, methinks it should be the study of all saints who believe immortality, and hope for eternal life, to put on that garment of charity, which is the livery of all the inhabitants above. We might have heaven upon earth, as far as is possible, if we dwelt in love, and love dwelt in and possessed our hearts."

"Is it not a high thing to know God aright? 'This is life eternal to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent' (John 17:3). That is a high note of excellency put on it, this makes the face of the soul to shine; now, brotherly love evinceth this, that we know God. 'Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love' (1 John 4:7-8). Love is real light, light and life, light and heat both. 'Did not thy father...do judgment and justice...was not this to know me? saith the Lord' (Jer. 22:15-16). The practice of the most common things, out of the love of God, and respect to his commands, is more real and true religion than the most profound and abstracted speculations of knowledge; then only is God known, when knowledge stamps the heart with fear and reverence of his Majesty and love to his name; because then only is he known as a true and living God."

"Humility, how suitable is it to humanity! They are as near of kin one to another, as homo and humus; and therefore, except a man cast off humanity, and forget his original, the ground, the dust from whence he was taken, I do not see how he can shake off humility. Self-knowledge is the mother of it, the knowledge of that humus [earth] would make us humiles [humble men]. Look to the hole of the pit from whence you are hewn. A man could not look high that looked so low as the pit from whence we were taken by nature, even the dust; and the pit from whence we are hewn by grace, even man's lost and ruined state. Such a low look would make a lowly mind. Therefore pride must be nothing else but an empty and vain tumor, a puffing up."

"And then, take heed to walk suitably and preserve your seal of adoption unblotted, unrusted. You would study so to walk as you may not cast dirt upon it, or open any gap in the conscience for the re-entry of those hellish-like fears and dreadful apprehensions of God. Certainly it is impossible to preserve the Spirit in freedom, if a man be not watchful against sin and corruption. David prays, 'Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit' (Psa. 51:12), as if his spirit had been abased, embondaged, and enthralled by the power of that corruption. If you would have your spirits kept free from the fear of wrath, study to keep them free from the power of sin, for that is but a fruit of this: and it is most suitable that the soul that cares not to be in bondage to sinful lusts should, by the righteousness of God, tempered with love and wisdom, be brought under the bondage he would not, that is, of fear and terror; for by this means the Lord makes him know how evil the first is, by the bitterness of the second."

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good teaching on what Christian love entails. However, I was expecting it to expound more on the traits of love described in 1 Corinthians 13.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content of the book could rightly be divided into two sermons - the first dealing with love between Christians and the second dealing with the Father's relationship to the redeemed (specially dealing with prayer). The subject matter was fairly elementary, well reasoned, and certainly uplifting.

Would I recommend it for the content? Probably not. The average reader is going to find the style of writing a burden - it was, after all, written by a 17th century puritan philosopher - and you would be just as well-off picking up a contemporary work on the same themes. There is nothing unique about Rev. Binning's ideas - though, again, he was a gifted preacher and logician.

Would I recommend it for the author? Yes and yes. Everyone should take time at some point and read at least one sermon by Hugh Binning. He was something of a novelty among the puritans, having died at age 26 after already accomplishing more than most. This being such a short book, if you are going to introduce yourself to Rev. Binning, this would be a good choice.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

With careful deliberation, Binning explores God’s love to us and the manner in which that love must be expressed to one another. Although the major section of the book is quite good, the three sermons added on at the end provide a great deal of insight into the place of prayer and our dependency on God. Binning died unexpectedly at the young age of 26, but not before leaving this most helpful work for our benefit.

[Justin Andrusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read (no pun intended) and I highly recommend it. Small, but very practical.