Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 5:45

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven, for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

As your Heavenly Father, hath a common Love, which he extendeth to all Mankind, in supplying their Necessities, with the Light and Warmth of the Sun, and with the Rain as well as a special Love and Favour, which he exerciseth only toward those that are good, and Members of Christ, so ought you to have, tho you are not obliged to take your Enemies into your Bosom, yet you ought to love them in their order, and as your Heavenly Father, tho he will one Day have a Satisfaction from Sinners, for the wrong done to his Majesty unless they Repent; yet to heap Coals of Fire on their Heads, gives them good things of Common Providence, that he might not leave them without Witness, yea, and affords them the outward means of Grace for their Souls: so altho you are bound to seek some Satisfaction for Gods Honour and Glory, from Flagitious Sinners, and tho you may in an orderly Course seek a moderate Satisfaction for the wrong done to your selves, yet you ought to love them, with a love consistent with these things. That so you may imitate your Heavenly Father, and approve your selves to [illegible: 1 letter]e his Children.