Philadelphia, Treatise · Chapter 5 – Chapter 6
CHAP. V.
HAving conſidered the firſt Circumſtance, I come to the ſecond, which ſheweth the Antiquity of this Doctrine of Love: it was from the beginning: whence I obſerve.
Obſerv. That the Commandment of Love is from the beginning. It is true, we do not find, that it was in expreſs words given in command at the beginning of the world: I mean, we do not find any Record in the Word mentioning any ſuch expreſs Command of Love delivered in the beginning; but it is certain, that ſuch a command was giv…n; for otherwiſe, Cain had not been guilty, when he did ſo notoriouſly tranſgreſs the Law of Love, in hating and murthering his Brother; for where no Law is, there is no Tranſgreſſion. But it is manifeſt, that Cain did grievouſly tranſgreſs, as appeareth, by the wrath of God againſt him, by his arraignment and puniſhment of him; therefore there was a Law of Love given in the beginning; againſt which this man, that was the firſt man born of a woman, offened grievouſly; and for which he was ſeverely puniſhed.
Now it is out of Queſtion, That it was written in Adam's heart before his Fall; for it was a ſpecial part of that holy Image of God in him.— But then it may be ſaid, that this Image of God was loſt by the Fall, and ſo the Law of Love, as well as other parts of holineſs, was blotted out of his heart.— I anſwer, that though it were blotted out of his heart, yet I do not believe it was blotted out of his head and underſtanding, but that ſtill he retained a knowledg of this duty, although his heart was now ſo corrupted, and his affections ſo perverted and diſordered, that he could not frame his heart to obey this Law of Love: He had loſt that inclination to entire and perfect Love, which he had by Creation, and by which he reſembled God, who is Love. But howſoever, the writing the Law in the heart of Adam at his Creation, or the remaining of this Law in the mind and underſtanding of Adam, I conceive not to be meant here by this meſſage of God ſent to men, and requiring them to love each other; for that was not lex tradita, ſed inſculpta, not a Law delivered by way of meſſage, but a Law engraven, and a Character of Love imprinted in the mind of Adam: But this ſpoken of here, is the delivery of a Law, as a meſſage ſent from God to man.
Therefore I conceive, That this Law of Love was by the Spirit of God revealed to Adam, and to other holy men, who were ſtirred up of God to teach and deliver it unto men, and to propagate this Doctrine of Brotherly-love, as men multiplied and encreaſed upon the earth. So it appeareth, in that ſoon after the the Fall; the Doctrine of the Goſpel and Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt, was delivered to Adam, as a gracious meſſage of Life. Now this was the Doctrine of Faith, and the Doctrine of Faith and Love are inſeparable, and always go together, as the Graces of Faith and Love are always joyned. For in Chriſt, who is promiſed in the Goſpel, not only God is reconciled to man, but alſo man is knit to man in Love. So ye may ſee how theſe two are joyned together as it were in one commandment, 1 Joh. 3.23. This is his Commandment, that we believe in his ſon Jeſus Chriſt, and love one another as he gave us commandment. So that the Doctrine of the Goſpel commanding Faith, is but an imperfect Law, if it be not joyned with the commandment of Love.
The commandment of Faith and Love together, make up a compleat Law: Therefore I doubt not, but as the one, ſo the other alſo was delivered in the Beginning. Abraham knew this well, who lived long before the Law was publiſhed on mount Sinai, and therefore he walked in Love, and laboured to cheriſh Love, and to p… … the breach of Love, and thereupon ſaith to Loe, I pray thee let there be no ſtrife between me and thee, for we are brethren: So it appeareth likewiſe by his carriages mother caſes. And it … …eds be ſo, for the ſame way of Salvation for the Subſtance is, and hath ever been oper… and ſhewed unto men: The ſame good wor…share ordained for the people of God to walk … throughout all ages, therefore they muſt have the ſame rule to walk by in all ſages. Now Love and the Fruits of Love is the Subſtance of the Law, therefore this was from the Beginning.
CHAP. VI.
Ʋſe. 1. THis ſheweth the Excellency of the Law of Love, and of the Duty of Love commanded in this Law; It is ancient, it is from the beginning. Ancient Laws are fundamental Laws, and ought eſpecially to be regarded and obſerved. That Law of Ceremonies delivered to Moſes, and by him to the people of Iſrael, was a new Law in compariſon of this, and therefore it was no fundamental Law of the Church of God, and ſo it was abrogated in the fulneſs of time; but this Law of Love is both an ancient Law from the beginning, and ſo a fundamental Law of the Church of God, without which the Church cannot ſtand; for if Love be taken away, there can be no Church. Therefore men do little conſider what they do, when they allow themſelves in the neglect of Chriſtian-Love, and in the duties thereof. They ſin againſt a moſt ancient and fundamental Law, without which the Church of God cannot ſtand. Malice, Hatred, want of Love, is a ſin againſt the foundation of Obedience and Holineſs.
As there be fundamental Errors, viz. Errors againſt the foundation of Faith, ſo there be (as it were) fundamental ſins, ſins againſt the fundamental Law of Love. Every failing in the duties of Love is a ſin againſt this Law; but the want of Chriſtian-Love, and the nouriſhing of Malice and Enmity in the heart, are more directly againſt this ancient and fundamental Law. This Law of Love, then being an ancient and fundamental Law, delivered from the beginning, doth commend unto us the excellency of Chriſtian and Brotherly-Love, and ſhew the odiouſneſs of the contrary ſin. None can reſt upon Chriſt, the Foundation and Corner-Stone of the Church, which hath not this fundamental Law of Love written in his heart, which hath not his heart enclined to Love. Therefore St. Paul ſaith, That the Tongues of men and Angels, faith to remove mountains, abundance of knoledg; all theſe, if a man had them without Love, cannot profit: no, though a man ſhould give all his goods alſo to the poor, and his body to the fire; and why? Becauſe he wanteth a fundamental and principal Grace, required in this fundamental and ancient Law; the want whereof proveth him not to be grounded nor built upon Chriſt, the Foundation and Corner-Stone of the Church, becauſe he hath not the Spirit of Love which is in Chriſt. How ſhould this move every one of us then, to ſearch our hearts diligently, leſt any Lees or Dregs of Malice ſhould ſettle there, leſt (as the Apoſtle ſaith) any root of bitterneſs ſhould remain there, and ſpring up in us. How ſhould it move us, to purge out all affections contrary unto Love.