Sunbeams of Gospel Light, Sermon 3
A HEAVENLY TREATISE OF THE DIVINE LOVE OF CHRIST. Sermon II.
BY IOHN PRESTON, DD.
Matt. 22. 37, 38.
This is the first, and great Commandement: thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.
Psal. 31. 26.
Love the Lord O allye his Saints.
LONDON, Printed by Thomas Paine, for Iohn Stafford 1640.
A HEAVENLY TREATISE OF THE DIVINE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Sermon III.
1 Cor. 16. 22.
If any man love not the Lord Iesus Christ, let him be had in execration, yea let him be accursed unto the death.
NOw because this love is so needfull, we will adde more signes for the triall of your selves. For we cannot be better occupied.
A sixt sig…e therefore is 6this, hee that loves, will bee apt to praise and speake well of that he loves, and he will exceed in it: yea, he is very glad when he heares others speake well of it. So if we did love the Lord, we should be apt to speake will of him, we would be much in the speech of him. When the heart is full of this love of God in Christ, out of that aboundance in thy heart, thy mouth will speak. But thou speakest but little of God, and that little is brought in by company, thou art cold in thy praising of him: why thou doest not love him, see in David, a man that loved the Lord. How much was hee in the praising of him? Nay, he could not bee content to doe this alone, but hee must have all creatures to praise him and to speake good of his Name: Even as a servant that commends his Master, invites others to serve him. This love enlarges the heart and opens the mouth. O Corinthians, our hearts are enlarged towards you, and our mouthes are opened, 2 Corinthians 6. 11. This is an argument that our hearts are enlarged, that we abound in love, when our mouthes are opened. So that thy heart is straightened towards God, if thy mouth bee not open to his praises.
But I cannot speake as other men, I am no Ob.scholler, if I had elocution gifts, learning, I could thus speake.
This is no excush, it is the nature of love to make men eloquent, the passions make eloquent. Sol.As we say, Pectus facit eloquentes, & magna pars eloquentiae constra animo. Are you hen apt to speake well of God? But this, you will say, is but a small matter, who doth not? Oh yes, wee are wanting in that manner of speaking of him which love requires. We doe not speake of him with that affection, that sensiblenesse, that may enflame others to love him. See the Spouse in the Canticles: Oh saith she, My love is fairer then ten thousands. And thus will the soule that loves God doe. It will tell of his mercies abroad. It will speake good of his Name. And that not as a duty onelyonly, but as a thing in which it takes especiall delight: Love followes the judgement, you cannot love the Lord, but you will thinke well of him. See then what thy speeches are concerning him: see if thy heart doe nimbly indite, and thy tongue bee as the penne of a readie Scribe Psalme 45.
Consider whether you endeavour to doe any thing for Christ without expostulating, and indenting with him. Whether you are ready to doe all things freely to him, without consulting with another about it. Amicitia non est revocanda ad calculos. A friend must not bee strict in taking his account, for then hee plaies but the Huckster, he doth but buy and sell. When thou art trying and expostulating then whether such a duty be necessary or no, whether another will not serve the turne; this is a signe thou dost want love. A Minister that hath this love, when he is to take a Living, will not so much enquire what reward he shall have, as what service he may doe to God in it. If you did love the Lord you would not stand, saying, is it necessary to keepe the Lords day so strictly? You would bee ready to doe what ever hath but a shadow of pleasing him. Oh how you would be glad of such a day, so free from other businesse, wherein you might sequester your selves from the world, to attend upon God, and to injoy him? So for a family prayer, thou wouldest not aske, can it not be omitted without sinne? This questioning will not stand with this love: for the person thou servest is the Lord, and thou must not be as a mercenary servant. A wife will bee devising things to please her husband. So, what shall I render to the Lord (saith David.) So Paul was abundant in labours and sufferings. If Paul would have done nothing but out of necessity, he had never done halfe so much, say then, I will even goe doe my duty, performe my taske, If I must pray in my family, then I will: If I must keepe the Lords day, I will make a shift to weare out the day; This I say argues a heart void of this love. We must know that Christ hath died to purchase to himselfe a people zealous of good workes: such as doe good workes with desire or deare delight; that would faine doe a great deale more then they doe. Would you then doe no more then just will bring you to heaven as you thinke? Do you set limits to your performances? you have not this love. Why? you pray that you may serve Christ on earth as the Angels doe in heaven, and yet will you say such a man goes faster, it is no matter, this pace will bring mee to heaven, and so never mend it? This is a sign of no love to the Lord Iesus.
If you did love the Lord, ye should find an holy affection of anger and zealerising against such as offend him. Anger waits on love. Love is an affection that makes forwards to the thing beloved: and if any thing stand in the way, Anger removes it hastily.
If thy heart then bee not stirred when God is dishonoured, his Church spoiled, and Religion goes downward, thou lovest him not, can you endure to heare your selfe scandalized? No, and why? because you love your selfe. To see then the bloud of the Lord Iesus trampled on, neglected so, as no man should regard it, to see the Saints in adversity, and not to bee affected, argues that your heart is void of this love of the Lord Iesus.
Eli when he heard the newes of Israels flight, his sonnes death, it must needs grieve him, but all this while, his heart was composed: But the worst newes (as usually it doth) comes last. The Arke of God was taken: Then his heart was amazed, hee could no longer subsist, but hee falls downe backward and breakes his necke. But it may be ye doe not hope to attaine to the grace of El…; why, looke then on his daughter in law, one of the weaker sex; All that ill newes moved her not so much. Oh the Arke of God was taken, that was it which shee pitched upon, her sonne that was borne could not alay this griefe.
But the Arke is not taken (you will say) Ob.there is not the like cause now with us.
No? are not many Churches desolate? when Sol.you see so many Churches ransacked beyond the Seas, doe you not see the Arke of God taken in a great measure? when you see Popery increasing, and the Saints wallowing in their bloud? If you take not this to heart, it is because the love of Christ is not in you.
If Christ lose a man, if any be offended, and fall away, I burne, saith the Apostle. When the King, Ier. 36. tooke that booke and burnt it, it is noted of those that stood by, that they did rend their cloathes. God takes it as a great signe of a prophane heart, when one shall not take such dishonours of his to heart, when hee rends not his cloathes at the sight of such a thing. Paul when he saw the idolatry that abounded in Athens, was enflamed in his spirit.Acts 17.
See what a commendation God gave to Phineas for his zeale against Zimri and Cosbi, he would have it remembred as a speciall note of his love to him, which he would not let goe unrewarded. If thou dost not then pray for the Churches welfare, If thou art not affected with the losse and disadvantages of the Church, as with thy owne, thou wantest this love.
A ninth signe is not to dare to doe any thing that displeaseth him. If you doe a thing amisse 9that would be displeasing, you had rather that all the world should see you, then him whom you love. Now you know God alwaies behold you: you should therefore bee alwaies alike carefull. They shall feare the Lord and his goodnesse, Hosea 4: The Lord for his goodnesse; they shall feare to lose him. Above all consider when you have offended him, how you take that to heart. When you know there is a breach betweene you and the Lord, and you can be content, and rest in it, this is a shrewd signe of no love. When man and wife shall fall out, and grieve not for it, but let it passe, not seeking to be reconciled, it is signe of cold love betweene them.
Thinke with your selfe there is no man whom you professe to love, but you would not willingly provoke. And dare you say that you love the Lord, and yet yee will grieve and vexe him?
If you love the Lord, there would bee an hungring in you after him: there would bee still 10.an hanging that way. All impediments would be broken through, the heart would still bee moving thitherward. It would be bending thither. It would admit no repulse. As the woman of Canaan, Matth. 15. it would not bee put off. As the stone rests not till it comes to the center, so nothing can keepe you off from the Lord, no pleasures; away with them: nor any difficulties, no you cannot rest without him.
Say not then with your selfe, though you love him not now, yet I may love him hereafter, and I may love him hereafter, though not so much. No, love desires present union, it hates all delaies. Consider this: if you did repent out of love, your repentance would bee present, and what repentance is it which is not out of love?
Then hence thou art to humble thy selfe, if thou art failing in this labour of love. See how Vse 3. To humble our selves for want of this love.great a fault it is, not to love the Lord: and learne to blame thy selfe exceedingly for it. And that you may doe this, I will shew you what great reason you have to love the Lord.
Consider that hee is worthy to bee beloved. As 1. The reasons wee have to love the Lord.David said, he is worthy to bee praised, so may wee well say, he is worthy to be beloved. And why? because he hath all that is amiable in him. If you see any thing lovely in the creature, it is eminently in him. Shall not he that made the eye see? hee that made the eare heare? shall not hee that gave these perfections to the creatures have them in himselfe more eminently?
This perfection of his beauty, is that which causeth the Angels so much to admire and adore him, to bee taken up in the admiration of his excellencies. Observe that in any man whom you love; there is something not to bee beloved: But CHRIST is wholly delectable, there is nothing in him not fully to bee beloved. See how the Spouse describes him in the Canticles, how shee sets him forth in every part of him most to be desired. If you could but see the Lord. If it did but please him to shew himselfe unto you, as hee promised to shew himselfe unto him that loves him, Iohn 14, 21. If the Lord, I say, would give you a glympse of himselfe; if by the light of the Spirit you could see him, you would acknowledge him worthy of your love. And this is the reason that some love him, and others doe not, because hee discovers himselfe to some and not to others. As he did to Moses, where let us see a little his expression of himselfe.
The Lord, the Lord, Exodus 34. this is but the Casket, the Iewell is within. If Gods Spirit should open these words unto you, you would see him the fairest of ten thousand, Iehovah, Iehovah. Of every creature (you may say) somewhat it was that it is not, and samewhat it is that it will not be. But God is unchangeable Iehovah, in him is no alteration, he is not a freind to day, and none to morrow, and such a friend you would desire to chuse: as this Name signifies, his immutable being, so his omnipotency, he is Almightie. Now what a Loadstone of love is this? All the power in men, enableth them but to doe some things: as patience enables them to beare injurious acts; But the Lord hath all abilities, all ornaments, all excellencies, all is comprehended in this Almightie: So that well may such a friend bee desired.
True, will the poore soule say, he is well worth Ob.the having. But hee will not match with such a match as I am.
Oh yes, he is wonderfully pittifull and Mercifull: as great a Prince of pitty, as of any thing Answ.else.
Mercifull: but I have no beauty, no grace in Ob.me, no worth, no repentance.
But God is exceeding gracious. Kings are said Answ.to be gracious, because ther is supposed such a difference betweene them and their Subjects, that they can deserve nothing of them: So God is gracious, hee doth not looke for any deservings in thee.
But I have provoked him by sinning, and sinning Ob.often: This will make him put mee off.
No, he is of great forbearance.Answ.
But if he doe receive me, I must carry my selfe Ob.well, pray, and doe, that which I shall never bee able to doe.
Why no, hee is very kinde. Looke what a kinde Father, a kinde Husband, would doe to a Answ.Child, or a Wife, they are carefull to give content: the like may you expect of the Lord. Hee will winke at many infirmities, if your desires be found.
Though he say so, how shall I know that he will Ob.doe it?
To confirme this, He is true: he keepes covenant, Answ.and hath given ensamples of his mercy on thousands of them that feare him.
Oh, but still my sinnes are many and Ob.great.
Be it so: yet he forgives iniquities, transgressions, and sinnes, originall sinnes, sinnes of weaknesse, Answ.and sinnes of wilfulnesse.
This glory God shewed to Moses. This is the description of himselfe, such a one is Iesus Christ, O ye daughters of Ierusalem, and is hee not worthy to be beloved?
When thou hast considered the worth that is 2in himselfe, consider that hee sues to thee for thy love. Suppose a Prince should come and aske this at thy hands, wouldest thou deny him? The weake should sue to the stronger, but here the Lord God comes to thee for thy love.
This is that, O Israel, which hee requires of thee, that thou love the Lord thy God, Deuter. 10, 16. When such a God shall aske thy love, sue for it, shall he be denied? We (the Ministers) are but Christs spokes-men to wooe for Christ. See who it is that requires this? it is thy Soveraigne Lord that might have required thee to sacrifice thy children, thy life, thy goods, for his honour, and can he not have thy love? Now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to feare him, to love him? as if he should say, the Lord hath done great things for you, and might require great things of you againe. This may melt thee then, that hee requires nothing but thy love.
Againe consider, he hath planted this love in thy heart: shall hee not have his owne then when 4hee requires? shall not hee which planted the tree, eate of the fruit? shall not hee which gave this fountaine of love taste of the waters of it?
Againe, on whom would you bestow it, if you will not give it to the Lord? It must be bestowed on somewhat, and it is the best thing you have to bestow. It swaies & commands al in you. Doth thy wealth deserve it? Do men deserve it? Why, they are not to bee compared to the Lord. Can any man doe for thee that which he doth? besides, he forgives thee thy sinnes day by day. Thinke of his excellencies.
Againe, you are engaged to love him. you are married to him; you have given up your names to 5him in your baptisme: so that now well may I call you an adulterous generation, if you love him not, Yee are witnesses against your selves this day (saith Ioshua) Ioshua 24. if ye serve not the Lord. Hee takes great advantage of their promise that they had made to serve the Lord: ye are now witnesses against your selves if you doe it not.
So all that heare me this day are witnesses against themselves. For in their baptisme they tooke the Lord for their God. Is hee not your Master? where then is your feare? is he not your Father? where then is your reverence? is he not your Friend, where then is your love?
Againe, he hath bought us, yea, he hath overbought us. If you should see a flocke of sheepe, 6and heare that such a man hath paid such a price for them, farre beyond their worth, you will bee ready to say, let him have them, he is well worthy of them. And shall Christ be denied that which he hath so dearely bought? he hath bought you from the world, from the power of the devill, yea, and from your selves, so that they are not to set us on worke, Wee are not our owne, 1 Corinthians 6. wee are therefore to doe a mothers businesse, and that is Christs, who requireth love.
Besides all these generals, thinke of the particulars, which worke most upon us. See all his 7passages to you, how kinde he hath beene toward you. See how he hath dealt with you from your youth hitherto. Consider all his kindnesses bestowed upon thee: see also what hee hath done in forgiving thee. Thou hast sinned often, and greatly, and yet still he hath forgiven thee, and this is a great matter. Shee loved much, because much was forgiven her, Luke 7. Hee feeds thee, cloathes thee thou hast not a nights rest but hee gives it thee, he it is that keeps thee from all dangers: that careth for thee when thou canst not take care for thy selfe. The creature cannot helpe thee, withou…ee command it to helpe thee, hee hath stood close to thee in all exigents. And this most of all affects us: in some great danger when all forsake us, wee cannot but love him most dearely that then sticks close unto us. Thus hath the Lord done unto thee, with this Nathan urges David, and aggravates his sinne? The Lord hath done thus and thus unto thee, and if that had not been enough, would have done more. 2 Sam. 12. 8. Take up the same practise with your soule; the Lord hath done thus and thus for mee, and shall I not love him? would wee not hate that man that should not love and respect him from whom hee hath his whole maintenance?
Lastly, consider that hee loves thee. Now as 8fire begets fire, so let love beget love. The Son of God hath loved thee and given himselfe for thee, Galatians 2. Consider Christ hath loved thee, and hath given a good experiment of his love, to wit, himselfe for thee. And if he had given thee himselfe whole, it had beene a gift inestimable: But he hath given thee himselfe broken, crucified to thee, who hast beene a rebell against him. See his love he lookes on thee when thou thinkest not o… him, he took care for thee when thou tookest none for thy selfe; Nay, then thought it hee not too much to dye for thy good. Oh the height, the length, the breadth, the depth of the love of Christ which passes knowledge! you can never Ephes. 3.know this love of the Lord, it astonished Paul.
All this may stirre you up to feare the Lord. This shewes you what reason you have to doe it: And it may be an intentive to you, or at the least may cause thee greatly to condemne thy self for not loving him. Let these at least make you thinke well of the Lord, and ill of thy selfe, that you cannot love. It will goe heard if hee be refused: his wrath will be kindled, Psal. 2. after that hee hath sued to thee, and thou rejectest him, hee will not put it up, but will make his wrath knowne on thee, which GOD forbid.
So endeth the third Sermon.