Sacred Therapy, Book 3 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II
Wherein is handled, the case of such as are fallen from their first love, and are well pleased in this case. The first rank shall be of some cases, wherein the conscience of the convert is deceived, by judging the mans evil condition to be good enough.
IT cometh to passe sundry times, that the renewed man seemeth both to himself and others also, to go on in bringing forth external fruits of new obedience, when in the mean time his love to Christ is much abated and cooled toward him, in comparison of the fervency which in his first conversion he had: whence it cometh to passe, that his works in his calling are discharged without that eye and affection toward Christ, which sometime he carried toward him; for, in the beginning of his conversion, when remission of sins, reconciliation with God, and the blessed change made in his state through Christ, was green and fresh in his present sense, how dear Christ was unto him, cannot be expressed; but this fervor oft-times doth cool, when his wonted estimation of Christ is not entertained, as appeareth in the Galatians, who at their conversion were carried with such a measure of love toward Christ, that if it had been possible, they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to the Apostle Paul for Christs cause, Gal. 4. 15. and yet this love did soon cool, both toward Christ and the Apostle. It cometh to passe also oft-times, that the renewed man, contenting himself with the seal of the holy Spirit, and the consolation which once he felt, resolveth to go on in the discharge of Christian duties in his calling, and either doth not observe this cooling of his love to Christ, or layeth it not to heart, but pleaseth himself, in this condition, as sufficient to carry a converted man to heaven. And so usually three faults do concur in this sicknesse. The first is a notable defection from aiming at the measure felt in his first love at his conversion: for we speak not here of daily distempers which the convert doth mark and mourn for, and is about to have healed by bringing his wounds unto Christ to be cured in the exercise of faith and repentance daily. The second is the not observing of this decay of love, or the mans ignorance of his duty to entertain communion with Christ in the sense of his daily sins, wants and wounds; for the removing and curing whereof, Christ is to be loved daily no lesse then at the man his first conversion.
The third is, the mans being well pleased with this condition so long as his conversation is blamelesse, whereof we have an instance in the condition of the Ephesians, Rev. 2. whose labour in the work of the Lord, zeal against hypocrits, patience in troubles for Christs cause is commended by Christ. But he reproveth them, first, because they had left their first love, and did not only come short of the measure of their first love, but did not lay to heart this sin, did not repent it, or take course to have that measure recovered; thou hast left, or laid down, thy first love, that is, 1. thou hast remitted and come short of that measure of love which formerly thou had. 2. Thou hast not been displeased with thy self in this thy defection. 3. Thou hast laid aside the care of recovering the measure of thy former love. This condition is very dangerous, as is manifest in the experience of the Galatians, who falling from their first love, did cast themselves open to superstitions and errours, and in danger to be cut off from Christ, by their defection from the faith of the Gospel once received. The reasons for which we say this defection in love is dangerous, are three; the first is this, the greatest measure of love to Christ and rejoycing in him is lesse then his excellency and merit at our hands doth deserve. If therefore we shall slide from our duty in aiming to hold up this measure of love to him, which we have once attained and cease to grow therein, (because his new mercies are daily letten forth upon us from day to day) in effect, we judge our first love hath been too too vehement, and so Christ is lightly esteemed of, as if he were not still to be loved withall our mind, heart and strength. The next reason is this, when love to Christ, to his Ordinances and sanctified ones, beginneth to relent and cool, incontinent the external exercises of religion and righteousnesse begin to fall short of this principle of love, and to go on more and more slowly, and so peece and peece to decay: for, as when a tree is smitten in the root, it may retain for a time green leaves, but after a time it withers, and neither …eareth ripe fruits nor leaves: So also in the exercise of plety and righteousnesse, if love toward God our Redeemer, and delection in his service and obedience inwardly be diminished, it may readily come to passe, that the very outward works, yea and the profession of duties due to Christ, be taken away also: and this is the judgment wherewith Christ doth threaten Ephesus I will come upon thee, and remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent, Rev. 2. 5. The third reason is, because Christ, who is altogether lovely and love it self, the very Son of the Fathers love, is a jealous God, and cannot long indure not to be met with love from them to whom he hath manifested his love. Therefore he doth make hast to correct this slighting of his love, and to manifest his wrath against these that lye still well pleased with themselves under this condition, I will come unto thee quickly (saith he) and remove thy candlestick, Rev. 2. 5.
2. That the conscience of the true convert, who is lying in this condition, or is declining from his former measure of love, may discharge its duty more easily and solidly, it is needfull that the man, being convinced of his fault, first consider, how reasonable it is that he should return to his first love, or formerly felt measure of it: for, the forgivenesse of his manifold sins, wherein he lay before his conversion, for the translating of him from darknesse to the glorious light of Christs Kingdom, should never be forgotten; the proof which he hath gotten by his conversion, that Christ hath loved him and given himself for him, should be alwayes called to minde with hearty affection; the great need of Christ wherein he standeth for renewed pardon of sins, for furnishing him with his Spirit to mortifie the deeds of the flesh, and to bring forth more ripe and abundant fruits of new obedience, should bind him to abide and grow in his love. Secondly, let him consider how usefull and profitable unto us, is fresh, green and growing love unto him; for, love to him, makes us frequently to think of him, frequently with delight to speak of him, to seek after more and more near-communion with him, to have our conversation with him in heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father, and to live in heaven, where our love is, more then where we sojourn in this world. Love makes us love what he loveth, and hate what he hateth; love sharpens our desires after God in Christ, kindles and inlarges our affection toward him, as the beginning of the 63. Psalm▪ doth make evident. And if the Lord shall seem to with-draw himself▪ love makes the true convert follow hard after him. Ps. 63. 8. Love makes …old to encounter all difficulties and troubles which may meet … in the course of following after him; much water cannot quench love; in Gods service, love keeps a man …, strong and stout against his enemies, in … patient▪ in profession sincere, in pursuing duties … all conditions submissive, and after evidencing of his affection with the Psalmist, (Ps. 116. 12.) to …ay with the same Psalmist, What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits toward me? Ps. 116. 12. Thirdly, … convert who is begun to cool in his love to Christ, … to remembrance what a felicity he felt when he entertained love to Christ, when the loving kindnesse of the Lord was better to him then his life, and sin was more formidable then death, when Gods Commandments were not grievous but the joy of his heart, when Gods Word seasoned and sanctified his bitterest afflictions. Fourthly, let him consider at what a losse he is of many spiritual comforts, whereof he hath deprived himself, and in how many sins (of omission at least) he hath fallen, since his declining from his first love, and what miseries he hath drawn upon his own spirit at least, if not also temporal chastisements joyned therewith: and after comparison of his condition when his love was servent, with his present condition since his fall from his sometime-measure of love, let him humble himself before Christ and flye in unto his rich grace, as a true penitent, and let the fear of wrath, in case he set not himself to recover what he hath lost, hold him up to his duty; for, this is the remedy which Christ himself doth prescribe, Rev. 2. 5. 7.