Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 6 · Lecture 80
Lecture LXXX. On Psalme 51.6. February 5. 1627.
IT followeth now that we proceed unto the second grace whereof the right root of all true righteousnesse, and goodnesse doth consist; and that is a lively faith. The point then that we are now to learne is this
That all true love unto God, Doct.and (consequently) all true godlinesse and uprightnesse of heart, springeth from a lively faith even such a faith, as maketh knowne to a man Gods love to him in Christ, and maketh him able to receive Christ, and to rest upon him.
See the proofe of this in foure degrees. First, Without faith it is not possible for a man to repent and forsake sinne in a right manner. Sin shall not have dominion over you (saith the Apostle, Rom. 6.14.) for ye are not under the law, but under grace. As if he had said, Till you be under grace, till by faith ye be assured of Gods gracious disposition towards you, sinne will have dominion over you, ye cannot helpe it, ye cannot avoid it. It is the bloud of Christ only (applied by faith) that purgeth the conscience from dead workes, as the Apostle teacheth, Heb. 9.14. Secondly, Without faith it is not possible for a man to leade a godly life, or to do anything that may please God, Heb. 1….6. Without saith it is impossible to please God. The life that I now live (saith the Apostle, Gal. 2.20. that is, my spirituall life) I live by the faith of the sonne of God. Thirdly, Without faith it is not possible for a man to have an honest, and upright heart, all he doth will be in hypocrisie till he have a lively faith. For it is faith that purifieth the heart, Acts 15.9. and that sanctifieth it, Acts 26.…8. Fourthly and lastly, Without a lively faith it is impossible to love the Lord. It is saith that worketh by love saith the Apostle, Gal. 5.6. As if he had said, faith is that that setteth love on working, that giveth life and motion unto it. This is that which the Apostle also teacheth, 1 Tim. 1.5. The end of the commandement is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned. As if he had said, The true love of God (which is the very end and perfection, the fulfilling of every commandement of God; which maketh us able to keepe the commandements and to account them no burden, nothing grievous to us, which giveth the price and valew in Gods sight to all our obedience) springeth from a pure and upright heart, and that from a good conscience, and that from faith, yea from faith unfeigned. So that is the maine root of all. The reasons hereof are two.
First,Reason 1 Because faith is the onelyonly thing that knitteth us to Christ and maketh him ours. Christ dwelleth in our hearts by saith, Ephes. 3.17. And till we bee knit to him and he be made ours there can be no goodnesse in us. Of his fullnesse have we all received, Ioh. 1.16. Without me ye can do nothing, saith our Saviour, Iohn 15.4.
Secondly,Reason 2 Because faith, and faith onelyonly maketh knowne to us that love of God, as is effectuall to to breed in us a true love unto God. It is an old and true proverbe (and the truth of it is not so certaine in any case as in this) magnes omoris amor, Love is of an attractive nature, like the load-stone, to draw love unto it. We love God (saith the Apostle, 1 Iohn 4.19.) because he loved us first. We can never love him, till we be first perswaded of his love to us. When the Sun in his full strength & heate hath shined much upon it, the stony pavement it self will reflect, and send up an heate towards the sunne, yea a greater heate then either the softer earth, or the aire will: but till the sun hath shined, and shined much upon it, it can send up no heate nor have any in it at all. And even so it is with our cold and stony hearts, when the knowledge and sense of Gods love hath warmed them, then will they reflect love to God againe, but till then they cannot. But to handle this second reason more plainely, and profitably two things are to be observed, which I will distinctly speake of. 1. Nothing but a lively faith can so assure us of Gods love to us, as to kindle in our hearts a true love to God. 2. A lively faith is able to doe this.
Object.For the first. It may bee objected, that a man may bee sufficiently perswaded of Gods love to him, though hee have not a lively faith. For, 1 Experience doth now, and in all ages hath proved, that many a most wicked man that is utterly void of true faith, is fully perswaded that God loveth him, and glorieth in nothing more then in that. Hee maketh his boast of God, as the Apostle speaketh of the wicked Iewes, Rom. 2.17. The Lord speaking of some that did both in word and deed, commit as much wickednes as they were able, Ier. 3.5. yet saith of them, ver 4. that these men would cry unto him, My God, thou art the guide of my youth. And our Saviour saith, that those cursed Iewes, of whom hee pronounceth that the devill was their father. Iohn 8.44. yet were themselves fully perswaded of Gods fatherly love unto them, and could say of themselves, verse 41, Wee have one father, even God. And what child of God know you upon earth, that hath this word (I thanke my God) so much in his mouth, as many a most wicked man hath? 2 A man that hath no faith, may yet have just cause to bee perswaded of Gods love towards him, for God doth indeed love him, and sheweth it many wayes that hee doth love him. The Lord is good to all (saith David, Ps. 145.9.) and his tender mercies are over all his works. He is kind to the unthankefull, and to the evill, saith our Saviour, Luke 6.25. Loe hee is good and kind, and tenderly mercifull unto all, even unto the worst men. And upon whom doth not his light arise? saith Bildad, Iob 25.3. What man is there in the world that hath not sensible and comfortable experience of Gods love every day? And why should not all men then be perswaded that God loveth them?Answ.
Now to this objection, I have foure things to answer.
First. It is very true, that even these outward, and common favours of God, that all men enjoy, are evident testimonies of Gods love and goodnesse, In that hee giveth life and health, and seasonable times; in that hee causeth us to prosper, yea, in that hee feedeth us, and cloatheth us, it is a signe hee loveth us. God loveth the stranger (saith Moses, Deutere. 10.18.) in giving him food and raiment.
Secondly. To them that are in Christ, these temporall and common favours of God, are signes and pledges of his speciall love; even by them the faithfull are confirmed in the assurance of his eternall love. When Iacob saw that God had changed Esaus heart so, that he looked, and spake kindly to him, hee saw Gods face, and loving countenance toward him, even in that. I have seene thy face (saith hee Genes. 33.10.) as though I had seene the face of God. By this I know (saith David, Psal. 41.11.) that thou favourest me because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
Thirdly. These common favours and fruits of Gods love, may worke in all men (even in them that have no faith) a kind of love unto God, a common, and an ordinary, and a superficiall love.
But then I say fourthly. A sound and true love to God can never bee wrought in any mans heart (that hath not faith) by these outward and temporall blessings of God, nor by any knowledge hee can have by them, of Gods love to him. The unsoundnesse of that love that is wrought in men towards God, by these common favours of his, will appeare in three points.
First. It is but a mercenary love, they love the gifts of God, rather then the Lord himselfe; and when God giveth over giving to them, they give over loving of him. This is like the love that harlots beare to their lovers. When the Prodigall had to give, and spend upon those harlots upon whom it is sayd hee wi…t…d his goods, Luke 15.30. no doubt but they shewed a great deale of kindnesse unto him, but when hee could give them no more, their love was at an end Satan knew well, that this is the love of most men unto God, though hee falsely and maliciously charged Iob with it, Iob 1.10, 11. While God m…th in hedge about them, and about all that they have, while hee blesseth the worke of their hands, and their substance is increased, they will love the Lord, but let th… Lord put forth his hand, and touch all that they have, they will be ready to curse him to his face. Whereas hee that soundly and truly loveth the Lord, loveth him for himselfe, and those perfections, and excellencies that are in him, and not for his gifts, nor for his owne advantage onelyonly. Hee loveth him as a good child doth his parents (1 Tim. 5 4) though they bee poore, and have nothing to give him. And as Paul declaring the truth of his love to the Corinthians professeth, 2 Cor. 12.14. hee sought not theirs, but them; so doth hee that truly loveth the Lord desire to enjoy him and his favour, more then hee doth desire any of Gods blessings, any thing that the Lord can doe for him. His soule saith unto God, as David did, Psal. 119.57. Thou art my portion ô Lord. If I have thee, I have enough, I desire no more. There are many will say (saith David, Psalm. 4.6, 7.) who will shew us any good? Gods goods and benefits every man desireth, every man is enamored with But Lord (saith hee) lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. As if hee had said; Wee have enough if wee have thee and thy favour. And so speaketh hee also, Psalm. 73.25. There is nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee. And from hence also it commeth, that as hee that truly and intirely loveth any man, will love him at all times, even then, when his friend doth not, nor can requite his love, yea, therein principally the truth of his love appeareth, as Solomon saith, Prov. 17.17. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is borne for adversity. And as our Saviour teacheth us, that no man hath any true charity in him towards his neighbour, that loveth him onelyonly while hee dealeth kindly with him, but ca… love no man that hath dealt unkindly with him, or done him wrong. If you doe good to them that doe good to you (saith he Luk. 6.33) what thankes h…e you? for sinners also will doe so much: So hee that truly loveth the Lord, will love him at all times, even when hee with-holdeth his hand, and with-draweth his bounty when he carrieth himselfe towards him, even as if he were his enemy. Though he slay me (saith Iob 13▪ 15.) yet will …trust in him; which he could never have done, if he had not loved him.
Secondly. The love that is bred in men towards God, by his temporall blessings without faith, is no sound or true love, because there bee many other things that all such men love as much, or more then God. He that loveth father or mother, more then mee (saith our Saviour, Matth. 10.37. hee that to please them dare offend mee) hee that loveth sunne, or daughter more then mee, (hee that to scrap… and provide for them, dare sinne against mee; or through fondnesse (like Ely) can beare with any profanenesse, or lewdnesse in them) is not worthy of me; his love is of no worth at all in my account. If a man bee a lover of pleasures, more then a lover of God, as the Apostle telleth us, 2 Tim. 3.4. many in these last dayes shall be; if a man love any lust of his better then God, and rather then hee will forsake it, he will adventure the loste of Gods favour, certainely hee hath no true love of God in him. Hee that truly loveth God, giveth him the highest seate in his heart, loveth him more then any thing else in the world, and can say with Paul, Phil. ….8. For Christ I have suffered (that is, in will and affection) the losse of all things, and doe count them but dung, that I may win Christ. And this Christ required in Peters love, Iohn 21.15. he saith not onelyonly Simon thou sonne of Ionas, lovest thou me? (that had not beene enough to prove his love true and sincere) but lovest thou mee more then these? then thy nets, then thy fish, then thy friends that are here about thee. And though Peter (in the depth of his humilitie) saith nothing in his answer to that terme of comparison, yet is it evident by Christs question, that he knew his love was so unfeined towards him, that there was nothing in the world that he loved more, or so much as him.
Thirdly and lastly. The love that is bred in men towards God by that generall bounty and goodnesse that all men tast of, is no true love, because it hath no force and strength to restraine them from sinne, and draw them unto obedience. The Apostle speaking of a commandement that hath some difficultie in it; that is, the parting with our goods for the reliefe of our brother, whom wee see in necessitie, saith of him that sticketh at this, 1 Ioh 3.17. How dwelleth the love of God in him? And thereupon inferreth in the next words, verse 18. My little children, let us not love (he meaneth, let us not love God) in word, nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth. As if hee had said, no man doth love God in deed, and in truth, if his love to God will not make him willing to doe any thing that hee would have him to doe, and that may please him. True love we know, is a most forcible thing to make one serviceable, and willing to doe any thing for such as they love. What paines will the mother take, what offices will shee performe to her little infant? yea, how wil…ingly and cheerefully? The seven yeeres wherein Iacob did service to Laban, a very hard master, seemed to him but a very few d…yes (saith Moses, Genes. 29.20.) because hee loved Rachel. And surely our love to God is no lesse forcible this way, if it be true, it will make us willing to obey him, even in his hardest commandements. Of this her love to God, it is that the Church speaketh when shee saith, Cant. 8.6. Love is strong (and irresistable) as death. And this is that which the Apostle meaneth, 1 Iohn 5.3, 4. This is the love of God, that we keepe his commandements, and his commandements are not grievous. As if hee had said, the love of God will make us carefull to keepe Gods commandements, yea it will make those commandements easie to us, that are most crosse to our nature, they will bee nothing grievous to us, if we love the Lord. And thus have I finished the first point I propounded, Nothing but faith can so assure us of Gods love to us, as may kindle in our hearts a true love to God.
The second followeth. A lively faith is able to do this. Faith assureth us of such a love that God hath borne to us, so speciall, so marvellous a love, above that that hee hath done to the greatest part of the world, as wee cannot choose but love him againe, and love him unfeinedly, that is, love him for himselfe, love him better then any thing else, love him so, as wee can bee content to goe through thicke and thin to please him. Observe the proofe of this in three degrees.
First. There is a marvellous love of God, that far surpasseth all other of his loves. If you aske me wherin God hath declared this his speciall and marvellous love to his people. I answer, in giving them his only Son to ransome them from hell, and to purchase heaven for them. Herein is love (saith the Apostle, 1 Iohn 4.10.) that God loved us, and sent his sonne to bee the propitiation for our sinnes. And Rom. 5.8. God commendeth his love towards us in this, that while wee were yet sinners, Christ dyed for us. This was a marvellous love of God, all the fruits of Gods favour that worldlings doe enjoy, are but shels and husks in comparison of this.
Secondly. Whereas this love of God is not alike to all men, but peculiar to a few in comparison. Feare not little flocke (saith our Saviour, Luke 12.32.) Wheras God in sending his son, had not such respect to the greatest part of the world, I pray not for the world, saith Christ. Iohn 17.9. Faith assureth every true beleever, that this wonderfull love of God belongeth to him. That God in speciall love to him, sent his Sonne to doe and endure all that hee did. It maketh him able to say with the Apostle, Galat. 2.20. Hee loved me, and gave himselfe for me. And with David, Ps. 31.21. Blessed bee the Lord, for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindnesse. He hath made me able to see that this marvellous love of his belongeth to me.
Thirdly and lastly. When the heart of a man is once by faith assured, that God hath so loved him, as to send his Sonne to dye for him, this must needs breed in him a love unfeined unto God, and care to please him; and proportionable to the assurance wee have of this love of God, shall our love to God bee. Mary Magdalene because shee knew by faith, that Gods love to her had beene so aboundant, as to forgive her so many sinnes, therefore did shee love Christ aboundantly, Luk 7.47. Thus David professeth of himselfe, Psal. 116.1. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplications. And what was the prayer that he had made? for hearing of which hee did so love the Lord? He telleth us ver 3.4. The sorrowes of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold upon me, I found trouble and sorrow, then called I upon the name of the Lord. Hee was in anguish of conscience, and feare of damnation, and God (upon his prayer) spake peace to his heart, and assured him of his favour in Christ, therefore did hee so love the Lord. Therefore the Apostle praying for the Ephesians 3.17—19. that they might bee rooted, and grounded in love (to God he meaneth, and to men for his sake) hee desireth to that end that God would make them able fully to comprehend, and know in all the dimensions of it, the love of Christ that passeth knowledge. As if hee should say, If men did well know this love of God to us in Christ, they could not choose but be so settled, and rooted in love to God, as nothing could bee able to draw their hearts from him.