Two Treatises, Treatise 2 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
Containing an Ʋſe of Examination.
3. Uſe For Examination.SECT. I. I proceed to a third Ʋſe, which is for Examination,Sect. 1. Examination whethe… we prize Chriſt. to put every one of us upon an exact Tryal and Inquiery, to ask this Queſtion in a particular manner, Do I prize Jeſus Chriſt?
NOW▪ by way of Character, Il'e lay down three Propoſitions.
1. Thoſe that ſet the higheſt price ofProp. 1. Chriſt have an earneſt high and unfeigned likeing and approbation of Chriſt, and his ways and his Ordinances.
2. They endeavour to be like and conformableProp. 2. unto Chriſt.
3. They burn in ardent affection andProp. 3. love to Chriſt. To handle them diſtinctly.Propoſ. 1. Thoſe that prize Chriſt have a high liking of Chriſt & his ways. foreign. Juſt. Mar…. Q. Orrhod. 98.
Thoſe that ſet the higheſt price on Chriſt, have an earneſt high and unfeigned likeing and approbation of Chriſt and his Ways and Ordinances, and where this high approbation is found it will be evidenced by theſe three Characteriſtical Notes, enſuing.
1. There will be a deliberate choice of1. A deliberate choice of Chriſt and his ways Chriſt and his ways: Men are not born true Believers by nature, but they are made ſo by Grace and Mercy. A Believer whoſe Sences are exerciſed, to whom God hath given a pretious anointing. he chooſeth Chriſt (though with his Croſs) before all the Treaſures in the Univerſe. Thus did Moſes chooſe Chriſt however Reproach'dHeb. 11. 25. rather than all the Treaſures of Aegypt. The ways of Chriſt are ſuch excellent alluring and rational ways, as a Man of underſtanding will try them, and walk in them, and prefer them before all the Kingdoms of the World, and the Glory of them. Let it be put to Mens ſecond and ſerious thoughts, whether they would take Chriſt with his Croſs, or the World with all it's Pomp and Bravery, whether Men would make choice of thoſe Riches which are tranſient and Fading, or thoſe which are durable, and laſt to all Eternity, it is eaſy to imagine what choice a Wiſe Man would make who is endowed with a Spiritual Sence to underſtand the excellency of the ways of Chriſt. For ſuch an excellent Spirit the Apoſtle prays Phil. 1. 9, 10. And this I pray that your love may abound more and more in all knowledge, and all Judgment, that ye may approve things that are excellent.
2. There will be an exceeding Cordial2. A delight and rejoycing in Chriſt and his ways. delight, and rejoicing in Chriſt and his ways. O! how is a true Believer raviſhed with Joy, when he enjoys Communion with Chriſt? The Evnuch after he was Baptized by Phillip went on his way Act. 8. 39.rejoycing. A whole City was full of Joy after they had received the Goſpel. We read what exuberant Joy the Prophet had for the Word of God, Jer. 15. 16. Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the Joy and rejoycing of my Heart. A Godly Man is known by this Character, his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate Pſal. 1. 2.Day and Night. God's Teſtimonies were David's Delight and Counſellors, ſweeter then Honey, and the Honey Comb, more valuable than Rich Spoiles, even than Thouſands of Gold and Sylver. He than that knows and hath experimented the Beauties, Treaſures, and Conſolations of Chriſt, O! how doth he delight in Communion with Chriſt? O! how doth he prize Ordinances, and Delights to walk in that way where Chriſt comes by? The Joy of taking great Spoil, the Joy of the Vintage, the Joy of Eſpouſals, the Joy of Harveſt, are mentioned in Scripture to repreſent cauſes of rejoycing: But all theſe are infinitely ſhort of that Joy which is in the Heart of a true Believer, who hath a new Name, a white Stone, and hidden Manna, who hath a Sacred CommunionRev. 2. 17. with Chriſt, and feels his Divine Influences: This is a Joy Unſpeakable beyond the Capacity of Men and Angels. Wherefore he that hath a liking and approbation of Chriſt and his Ordinances, he Joys in them, (as Job Profeſſed) more than in his neceſſary Food, and with theJob 23. 12 Love ſick Spouſe, he takes more delight in Chriſt, and is at more pains to ſeek him then all beſides, Cant. 3. 1. Even on the Bed of Sickneſs and Affliction the Spouſe ſought her Beloved.
3. A ready and couragious Spirit to3. A ready and couragious Spirit to bear Teſtimony for Chriſt▪ bear Teſtimony for Chriſt and the truth of the Goſpel. He that likes and loves Chriſt will vindicate him and his Honour from the Reproach of Gain-ſayers: When a Believer ſpeaks of Chriſt, he will ſpeak with Reverence and higheſt appretiation of him, when he ſpeaks to Chriſt, he will ſpeak with Faith, Fervency, and Humility: And when he ſpeaks for Chriſt he will diſcover an Heroical Magnanimous Spirit, ſuch a Spirit the Apoſtles had when theyActs …. 17. foreign. Hebraeorum more, qu… vehementem & acrem ſignificant interminationem Eraſ. were ſtraitly threatned, that they ſhould ſpeak no more in the Name of Jeſus, they anſwer'd with an undaunted Reſolution. Act. 4. 19, 20. But Peter and John anſwered and ſaid unto them, whether it be right in the ſight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, Judge ye, for we cannot but ſpeak the things which we have ſeen and heard? Thus the Apoſtle Paul took courage againſt Elymas the Sorcerer when he ſought to turn away the Deputy from the Faith: The Apoſtle branded him for the Child of the Devil, and an Enemy of all Act. 13. 10. Praedicare Evangelium Dei, nihil …liud eſt quam derivare in ſe to…ius inferni furorem & Satanae. Lut. Loc. Com.Righteouſneſs. Luther knew what it would coſt him, even to bring all the Devils in Hell about his ears, yet he was reſolved to go to Worms and Preach the Goſpel, though every Tile on the Houſes was a Devil to oppoſe him. Biſhop Latimer ſaid often, that the Preaching of the Goſpel would coſt him his Heart-Blood: And ſo it came to paſs, for when he was a Burning, his Blood guſhed forth, and quench'd a great part of the Fire. Here then is a Proof of a Chriſtians likeing and approving of Chriſt and his Goſpel, when he will plead for the Truths, which are in Jeſus, and vindicate Chriſts Honour from Contempt and Reproaches. A true Believer (when he is called to witneſs for Chriſt) is neither like a Still-Born, nor a Tongue-Ty'd Perſon, but he will ſpeak for Chriſt, and ſtand up for the cauſe of Chriſt, what ever it coſt him. He is not affraid to be good, nor affraid to own a deſpiſed Chriſt, and a Perſecuted Goſpel. To be of a timerous and cowardly Spirit, and to ſeal up ones Lips, when Chriſts intereſt lies a bleeding, what's this but to be ſpiritually benum'd, or elſe Poſſeſſed of a dumb Devil? Wherefore Luther profeſſed that he would rather be guiltyImpius ſim avarus, adulter, i… …mninm vitiorum reus; modo impii ſilenti… non arguar, dum Dominus patitur. Luth. of the worſt of Crimes, than of wicked ſilence when his Lord ſuffered.
SECT. II. Whether we prize Chriſt by our likeneſs and Conformity to him.
I Proceed to the ſecond Propoſition,Prepoſ. 2. Thoſe that prize Chriſt endeavour to be like and conformable to him. that thoſe who prize Chriſt endeavour to be like and conformable unto him. Chriſt is our Head, and we are his Members, and there ought to be a conformity between the Head and the Members. And where this is▪ it will be evidenced in theſe three Particulars.
1. There will be a conformity to the1. There will be a conformity to the commands of Chriſt. Mark 1. 15. Mat. 6. 20. Mat. 6. 24. commands of Chriſt, as that perfect abſolute and infallible Rule of our Obedience. Chriſt commands us to repent, and believe the Goſpel, to lay up for our ſelves Treaſures in Heaven, to ſeek firſt the Kingdom of God and his Righteouſneſs, to ask and it ſhall be given you, to ſeek and Mat. 7. 7.ye ſhall find, to knock and it ſhall be openedunto you: Likewiſe Chriſt commands, enter ye in at the Straight Gate, &c. In aMat. 7. 13. word Chriſt in his Goſpel commands the whole Duty of Man. The Goſpel is every way comprehenſive and ſufficient to preſcribe all things needful for our Salvation. We may not then deviſe ways of our own Heads and Fancies, and preſcribe humane Inventions and Superſtitions for Politick ends to juſtle out Divine Inſtitutions. It is not any Rule which will ſerve the turn. As it was not any Partern which would ſerve for the Building of the Tabernacle, but that Pattern only which was ſhew'd to Moſes in the Mount. And the Lord gave a ſtrict charge, Exod. 25. 40. And look that thou make them after their Pattern which was ſhewed thee in the Mount: Neither is it any Rule will ſerve, but only the Rule of the Word of Chriſt, which is the Everlaſting Goſpel, and commands our Obedience. Wherefore the Apoſtle glorieth in nothing but the Croſs of Chriſt, Gal. 6. 14, 15. Neither Circumciſion availeth any thing, nor uncircumciſion, but a new Creature. And ſuch are Partakers of Peace, and walk according to his Rule, Gal. 6. 16. And as many as walk according to this Rule, Peace be on them, and Mercy, and upon the Iſrael of God. Let then Chriſt's command ingage us to a ready and chearful Obedience, and let's not diſpute but obey what he commandeth, when he bids ſeek my Face, let our Hearts return this ready anſwer, Thy face Lord will I Pſal. 27. 8.ſeek.
2. There muſt be a conformity to the2. There muſt be a Conformity to the Life of Chriſt. Life of Chriſt. Chriſt's Life is a perfect Pattern for our imitation, and an exact example of Holineſs. Chriſt lives in every true Believer, and he lives in Chriſt. Chriſt's Image, which conſiſts in Righteouſneſs,Gal. 2. 20. is imprinted upon the Lives and Hearts of all his Adopted Children. Chriſt propounds his own example for Meekneſs and Humility: Let's then thus argue the caſe every one in particular, Was ChriſtMat. …. 29. humble, and ſhall I ſwell with Pride? Was Chriſt meek, and ſhall I be tranſported with anger? Chriſt was much in Prayer and Meditation, much exerciſed in watching and faſting; O! what a ſimilitude ought there to be in every one of us unto the Life of Chriſt? Chriſt went about doing good, comforting the Afflicted, counſelling the ignorant, ſtrengthning the weak. His whole buſineſs, even his Meat and Drink, was to do the Will of his Father. Now what pains ſhould we take to imitate Chriſt in ſome proportion?
Queſt. But ſome will ſay how can we be Queſt. as Holy, as Humble, and as Meek as Chriſt was?
Anſw. I Anſwer, though we cannot attain Anſw. to that Equality and Meaſure of Holineſs, which is in Chriſt, yet we muſt endeavour after the quality and ſimilitude of that Holineſs which was in Chriſt. And what meaſure of Grace we have already attained, we may not propound as the Juſt Standard, or the Ne plus ultra, but ſtill we muſt labour for augmentation of every Grace, after the example of the Apoſtle, forgetting thoſe things which are behind, Phil. 3. 13, 14.and reaching unto thoſe things which are before, I preſs towards the Mark, for the price of the high calling of God in Chriſt Jeſus. Every one that hath true Grace labours for more acceſſions to it, and heQui deſinit proficere, incipit deficere. Bern. Deſinit eſſe bonus, qui deſinit vel▪ le fieri melior. Bern. 3. There will be a Conformity to Chriſt in his Sufferings. that ceaſeth to get more Grace, begins to fail of what he ſeemeth to have. Here than is that perfect Pattern for our imitation, even the Holineſs, Meekneſs, Humility, and other Graces which eminently appeared in Jeſus Chriſt.
3. There will be a conformity to Chriſt in his Sufferings. The Apoſtle tells us, Phil. 1. 24. Who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Chriſt in my Fleſh, for his Bodies ſake which is the Church. We are not to conceive Chriſts Sufferings to be imperfect (for by one Offering he hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified.) But as Chriſt had perſonal Sufferings in his Humane Body, which are finiſhed, ſo Chriſt hath and ſhall yet have more Sufferings in his Myſtical Body the Church. Chriſt hath ſuffered once for all upon the Croſs. But the Saints Militant (which are Chriſt's Body) muſt prepare for Sufferings, they are-appointed 1 Theſſ. 3. 3. Luk. 9. 23.thereunto. They muſt take up their Croſs daily. When Saul was Converted to be a Preacher of the Goſpel, and was chang'd both in his Name and Nature, and of a Perſecuting Saul, became a Preaching Paul, and a choſen Veſſel to bear the name Acts 9. 15, 1….of Chriſt unto the Gentiles, then the Lord ſhewed him how great things he muſt ſuffer for his ſake. And this is that knowledge that the Apoſtle ſo highly valued that he might know the fellowſhip of his Sufferings,Phil. 3. 10. being conformable unto his Death. Every true Chriſtian is a Martyr in Heart and Reſolution, willing to lay down his Life for Chriſts ſake. It's obſerv'd that Luther uſed to ſay that he ſhould never have the Honour to dye for the Profeſſing of the Goſpel: But he was a Man valient for the truth, and a Martyr in the purpoſe and Integrity of his Heart, and a willing mind obtains acceptance. It's ſaid by Faith Abraham when he was tryed Heb. 11. 17.offered up Iſaack. God accepted the real Intentions of Abraham, as if he had actually Sacrificed Iſaack.
Chriſtians muſt conſider before hand, what Religion will coſt them, not only the loſs of Liberties, Riches, Honours, but ſometimes the loſs of their Lives alſo. And happy are they that die for and in Chriſt. Men in this reſpect have a preheminence above Angels, for Angels have not Bodies to ſuffer withal as Men have. Chriſtians muſt conſider that they are Members of Chriſt their Head, and he hath gone before them in Sufferings, leaving them an example to follow his Steps. Shall Chriſtian sexpect Pleaſure, and think to Crown themſelves with Roſe Buds, when Chriſt drank a Cup of trembling, and wrung out thoſe bitter ingredients down to the very Dreggs? Shall Chriſtians pamper their Appetites and live in Luxury and Wantoneſs whenNon oportet membra deliciari ſub capite ſpinis coronato. Tert. Phil. 3. 10. as Chriſt drank Gall and Vinegar, and in ſcorn was Crown'd with Thorns? Let's conſider farther that we muſt with the Apoſtles deſire to be made conformable unto Chriſt's Death.
Queſt. But it will be askt wherein conſiſts this conformity unto Chriſt's Death?
Anſw. I Anſwer in regard of Mortification of Sin. Chriſt condemned Sin inRom. 8. 3. the Fleſh. And there holds ſome proportion be…ween the Death of Chriſt, and the Death of in u. Chriſt died for us that our Sins ſhould dye in us: Chriſt died a Curſed Death to note that we ſhould abhor Sin as a moſt accurſed thing: Chriſt drank Gall and Vinegar to ſignifie the ſharpneſs of Gods Diſpleaſure againſt Sin, and that Sin ought to be in our account a moſt grievous and bitter thing: Chriſt was nailed to the Croſs and endured great pains to ſhew that we ſhould never let Sin have a quiet Minute of eaſe, but that we ſhould Crucifie every corruption.
SECT. III. Shewing that thoſe that prize Chriſt burn in ardent Afflictions of Love to him.
LOve is as ſtrong as Death: It's hotterProp. 3. then the Coals of Juniper: All the Waters and Floods of Perſecution cannot quench Love. There's nothing can turn Chriſt's Love from us, and therefore nothing ſhould be able to extinguiſh our Love towards him. Now where Chriſt is valued there cannot be wanting an ardent Love. For thoſe things which we prize moſt, we love moſt: But becauſe there are many pretences, and ſemblances of Love, where Love in reallity is wanting; we muſt bring the Love which ought to be in every Believer towards Chriſt, unto the Touchſtone and Tryal. Wherefore I ſhall fix upon five tryals of our Love to Chriſt.
1. Our Love muſt conſiſt in an univerſal,1. Our Love muſt conſiſt in an univerſal Obedience to the Commands of Chriſt. chearful, and cordial Obedience unto the Commands of Chriſt. Obedience to Chriſt's Commands, is an evident Character of our ſincere Love to Chriſt, John 14. 21. He that hath my Commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loveth me. And ver. 23. If any Man loves me, he will keep my Words. It's not the verbal Profeſſion of Love to Chriſt, that will ſerve the turn, but a practical Conformity to the Commands of Chriſt, which will obtain acceptance. Pretences of Love are like the barren Fig-tree, which had Leaves without Fruits, or like the Apples of Sodom, which ſeemed beautiful to the Eye, but as ſoon as they were touched, they diſſolved into Cinders and Aſhes. We muſt not be Chriſtians only in Name, but in Deed and in Truth: We muſt not only name the Name of Chriſt, but we muſt depart from Iniquity. And we muſt not only ſay that we love Chriſt, but we muſt expreſs our Love by our Obedience unto his Commandments. And we muſt notDeus non vult cum exceptone coli, Le… Dei eſt una tota copulutiva. Illeric. make any exceptions but we muſt take in all, It's commonly obſerved, that the Love which deſcends is greater than that which aſcends, as the Love of the Father to his Child is greater than the love of the Son to the Father. I am ſure God's Love to us is infinitely greater than our Love can be to him. However we muſt endeavour after a ſincere, chearful, and univerſal Love. God's Love to us is his Bounty and Beneficence, our Love to him muſt be a Love of Duty and Service. And though we can never equalize and match the Love of Chriſt to us. Yet we muſt endeavour by our Obedience to ſtudy to pleaſe him, and walk in the ways of his Word, and hereby we giuegive Teſtimony of our Love to Jeſus Chriſt.
2. Our Love to Chriſt muſt be a ſupream2. Our Love to Chriſt. muſt be a ſupream & principal Love. and principal Love. Inferiour and ſecondary ſorts of Love are due to Relations, provided they be in ſubordination to the Love of Chriſt, and neither ſtand in competition with him, nor oppoſition to him. We may and ought to love our Relations, and love our Lives and Creature-Comforts, always provided that the primacy of our Affections be given to Chriſt. Though things of this World be dear and near unto us, yet Chriſt muſt be eſteemed dearer and nearer than all. Chriſt muſt be preferred above all and before all. The Parents of our Bodies, the Children of our Fleſh, the Wives of our Boſom, the Blood in our Veins, the Heart in our Breaſt, even all the deareſt things in this World muſt be laid down and foregone if they ſtand in compariſon and competition with Jeſus Chriſt. That Man that hath had experience of the Love of Chriſt in his own Soul, and hath taſted how good and gracious Chriſt is, he cannot but acknowledg, that there is ten thouſand times more Beauty and amiableneſs, more Honours and Riches, and more ſolid Satisfaction in Chriſt, than all the choiceſt admirable things, which the World can afford in its greateſt Eſtate and Confluence. Chriſt therefore muſt have the chiefeſt Love, more than ſuperlative, even our Love to him muſt be beyond all degrees of compariſon. It's to be obſerved, that the high Prieſt might not marry a Widdow; Why not a Widdow? BecauſeLev. 21. 14. her firſt Love was given to a former Husband. The high Prieſt was a Type of Chriſt: He will not be contented with a ſecond Love; He muſt be loved ſupreamly and principally, His Services muſt be the beſt: A Lamb without blemiſh, a Male in the Flock, and the beſt of the Subſtance was to be offered unto God in the Levitical Law. And under the Goſpel, the Worſhip muſt be pure, pure Hands muſt be lifted up and purifyed Hearts are required by Chriſt. Fervent Jam. 5. 16. 2 Cor. 1, 12. Mal. 1. 8.Prayer, Sincere Love: Simplicity and Godly Sincerity are required, God rejects the lame and the blind and curſeth the Deceiver Mal. 1. 14.that hath in his Flock a Male, and voweth and offers unto the Lord a corrupt thing. God'sMat. 6. 23. Kingdom and his Righteouſneſs muſt be ſought in the firſt place. That Figure called foreign muſt be abhorred in God's Worſhip. God muſt have the prime of our Strength, the Marrow of our Bones, the Vigour of our Soul, the Activity of our whole Body dedicated to his Service: Whatever is lovely and deſireable under the Sun muſt ſtrike Sail, and yeild Homage unto Jeſus Chriſt. The ſupream and primary, the higheſt and the deareſt Love muſt be given unto Chriſt alone.
3. This Love muſt be a whole entire3. Our Love muſt be whole and undivided. and undivided Love. It muſt not be ſhared with any Corrivals: Chriſt will not admit any Competitors or Corrivals with him. He will either have all our Love or none. Chriſt allows not Partnerſhip, nor will have his love to be let to halves. Chriſt is all in all unto us, and our Affection muſt be all in all unto him. When the Sun ariſeth in its Brightneſs, the leſſer Stars appear not: upon the appearance of our Love to Chriſt, all other ſorts of love vaniſh and diſappear. I hauehave read that in a Battel between Alexander and Darius a Motion was made, that there ſhould be made an equal deviſion between them, ſo that by giving each a part a farther tryal by the Sword might be laid aſide. But Alexander refuſed the Motion; No ſaith he, there can be but one Sun in the Firmament, meaning that his aim was to be ſole Lord and Maſter of all. To Chriſt this may be much more applyed; He is our ſole Redeemer; He hath conquered the World, Satan, and our own corrupt Selves; He hath wrought a perfect Redemption for us; He hath merited our whole Love, and requires it wholly and undividedly. It was the Language of that notorious Strumpet, Let it be neither thine nor mine, but let it be devided. A divided Heart is faulty, Hoſ. 10. 2. Their Heart is divided, now they ſhall be found faulty. David profeſſed with my whole Pſ. 119. 10.Heart have I ſought thee. And our Love muſt be with the whole Man, many Alls are reckoned together, Deut. 6. 45. Hear O Iſrael, The Lord our God is one Lord. And thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thine Heart, and with all thy Soul, and with all thy Strength▪ Chriſt expects from us a total, not a partial Love. He will not have his Love parted between him and Anti-chriſt, between him and Mammon, between him and a Luſt; Chriſt will not be ſo unequally yoaked: The Ark and Dagon, the Ephod and Teraphim cannot ſtand together. A Mungril Religion, partly for Popery, and partly for Proteſtantiſm, is abominable in the fight of God. When Men (as Water-men look one way and Row another) pretend in viſage and ſhew to be for the Intereſt of Chriſt, but in reallity drive Deſigns for Anti-chriſt: When Men (as Sanballat and Tobiah offered to build for the Jews, but intended to deſtroy them) pretend in publick to propagate the true Religion, but in private undermine and ſeek the extirpation thereof: ſuch as theſe God will diſcover and their Sins will find them out, and they ſhall appear not only odious to God, but to Men alſo. We read of Redwald King of the Weſt Saxons, that after he had profeſſed himſelf converted to Chriſtianity, he …rected in the ſame Church, one Altar for the Worſhip of the God of the Chriſtians, and another for the Worſhip of his Heathen Gods. And this way of worſhipping God was no worſhipping, and worſe than no worſhipping at all. We have an Inſtance in that mixture of the Samaritans Religion: Several Nations and Cities amongſt them according to their own deviſed Intentions choſe ſeveral Gods. And it is ſaid, 2 Kings 17. 33. They feared the Lord, and ſerved their own Gods. But what a Judgment the Lord paſſeth on them, Pſal. 34. Ʋnto this day, they do after their former manner, they fear not the Lord. If then we pretend to love Chriſt, and love other things in competition with him, we do not love him at all. It was the great Sin of the Jews to make mixt Marriages, and to be unequally yoaked with Heathens: Inſomuch as their Language betrayed them not to be a genuine ſort of the Jews, not of the right breed of the Jews: For they ſpeak in the Language of the Jews, and in the Language of Aſhdod. So it's their Sin, and a far greater to join Chriſt with Harlots, I mean, to yoak Chriſt and Anti-chriſt (as far as in them lies) together. And ſuch there are, who would reconcile England and Rome, Proteſtantiſm and Popery. But they may as ſoon reconcile the Artick and Antartick Poles, conſidering that there are between us fundamental differences both in Principles and Practices: Chriſt will ſay one day as Elias doth to the Worſhippers of Baal; How long halt ye between two 2 King. 18. 21.Opinions: If the Lord be God follow him, but if Baal then follow him. So it may be ſaid, why do People hanker between Chriſt and Antichriſt? Why do they not plainly declare themſelves what they deſign, that ſo we may know where to find them? But be aſſured that if Men neglect Chriſt and ſeek after other Lovers: If they leave the true Worſhip, and betake themſelves to falſe Worſhip; they will pay dear for it. Let Men pretend what they will, if they have a Heart and a Heart, a double and a divided Heart partly between Chriſt and any other, Chriſt will not accept of their Love as genuine and right, but account it falſe and ſpurious.
4. Our Love to Chriſt muſt be ſincere4. Our Love to Chriſt muſt be ſincere. and incorrupt without Hypocriſy, abſtracted from all ſelf-Intereſts, and ſiniſter Reſpects. He that loves Chriſt muſt love him with a ſingle, ſincere, and incorrupted Spirit. Incorrupted I name; becauſe I have the Apoſtle for my Warrant. Grace be unto all them that love our Lord Jeſus Eph. 6. 24.Chriſt in Sincerity. The Word rendred for Sincerity ſignifies Incorruption: Suchforeign Significatur is, qui nulla vi, nullis precibus, nullis illecebris, i. e. a recto abduci patitur. Grot. who are ſincere and incorrupt abhor all mercenary Love and all verbal Complements. Between true Love and complemental Love, there's as wide and vaſt a difference, as there is between Courtſhip and Friendſhip. Chriſt ought to be loved for Himſelf, for his Beauty, Goodneſs, and Excellency. There's enough in Chriſt to enamour a Soul, and raviſh it with Delights, notwithſtanding all the hardſhips and ſufferings which come by Chriſt. For one Beam of Chriſt's reconciled countenance and one glimpſe of his Love will ſuperabundantly recompence the greateſt ſufferings for his ſake. Wherefore let us lay aſide altogether all oblique aims, and collateral Intereſts, and in the ſimplicity and ſingleneſs of our Hearts love Chriſt with the moſt ardent Affection. The Shecemites embraced Circumciſion upon a Politick Deſign, to compaſs in all the Cattel and Subſtance of the Iſraelites. The PeopleGen. 34. 23. followed Chriſt for the Loaves: And therefore the Gadarens petitioned for Chriſt's departute, becauſe they were ſo affected with the loſs of their Swine, inſomuch that they preferred their Swine before a Jeſus. A Man mentioned in the Goſpel, pretended ſuch reſpect to Chriſt, as he offered to follow him whether ever he went: But Chriſt who knew his Heart, diſcovered, that he only aimed at his own accommodations for a dwelling place, as may appear by Chriſt's Anſwer, Mat. 8. 20. And Jeſus ſaith unto him, The Foxes have holes, and the Birds of the Air have Neſts, but the Son of Man hath not whereon to lay his Head.
Herein conſiſts the high commendation of Love, when ſelf is abandoned, and the Beloved is entirely embraced, and when we renounce all ſelf Love, and in Sincerity ſet our Affection on Jeſus Chriſt, then our Love is genuine and of the right ſtamp: For to love Chriſt for Himſelf and Holineſs for its ſelf is a conſtitutive difference of a Child of God, a diviſive difference to diſtinguiſh a true from a counterfeit Lover, and one that loveth in ſhew and ſemblance, from him that loveth in reallity and in Truth.
5. Love to Chriſt muſt be conſtant and5. Love to Chriſt muſt be conſtant. laſting; we muſt not love him by fits and ſtarts, as humors take us, and as may ſerve moſt for our particular Intereſts: Both in Proſperity and Adverſity, in a Storm as well as in a Calm, in days of Afflictions and Troubles (when Wars and Oppoſitions are multiplyed) as well as in Halcionian Days of Peace and Tranquillity, our love muſt be one and the ſame, fixed on Jeſus Chriſt. The Church was of ſuch an excellent frame of Spirit, as to give thanks in a time of God's diſpleaſure, Iſa. 12. 1. O Lord, I will praiſe thee, though thou waſt angry with me. Both in Proſperity and Adverſity David had a fixed and an eſtabliſhed Spirit. For when his Soul was amongſt Lyons, and when their Teeth was as Spears and Arrows, and their T…ngu…a Pſal. 57. 7.ſharp Sword. When his Enemies prepared Nets and digged Pits for him, yet then he profeſſeth, My Heart is fixed, O God, my Heart is fixed, I will ſing and give praiſe. And when he was in Proſperity he ſhewsPſ. 108. 1. the ſame excellent temper. O God my Heart is fixed, I will ſing and give praiſe, even with my Glory.
Love is that grand laſting Grace: It laſts unto Eternity. Faith and Hope carry us (as I may ſay) to Heaven Doors and there leave us, for when we enter into Heaven our Faith is turn'd into Viſion, and our Hope is turn'd into Fruition; there we ſhall enjoy the bleſſed Preſence of the Holy Trinity: But Love abideth for ever. We ſhall always love God: Our Love is here begun on Earth and ſhall never be conſummated till we pertake of Eternal Glory. Wherefore then whilſt we live here in this World, let us not abate a jot of our Love, but dayly endeavour after Augmentations: Notwithſtanding Hardſhips and Oppoſitions from the World, let our Love to Chriſt be like the Love of Jonathan that abode in its Strength. Love which holds out to the end, which paſſeth through good report and bad report; both through fair and foul Weather: that's the Love which will obtain Acceptance. Love will conquer Difficulties, as Jacob's did to Rachel, who thought many years but a few days becauſe he loved her. Love to Chriſt will make us willing to paſs through Fire and Water, and encounter Sons of Anach, and Beaſts of Epheſus. Love will cauſe a Chriſtian to be willing to bear and ſuffer any thing for Chriſt: Perſecutions, Oppoſitions, and variety of Sufferings, try the Sincerity and Conſtancy of a Chriſtian's Love to Chriſt, There's a conſtraining Power in the Love of Chriſt, which engageth all Chriſt's adopted Children to hold faſt their Profeſſion, to be faithful to Death, to account Chriſt All in all, and perſevere in their Faith, ſo that Difficulties are as Whet-ſtones to ſharpen a Believers Fortitude. And the Snuffers of Perſecution makes the Saints Candles burn brighter. And thus in theſe five mentioned particular Tryals, I have repreſented our Love to Chriſt.