rev._n 1.6_o and_o wash_v they_o from_o their_o sin_n in_o his_o own_o blood_n it_o be_v this_o love_n that_o confer_v adopt_v grace_n behold_v what_o manner_n of_o love_n the_o father_n have_v bestow_v 3.1_o 1_o john_n 3.1_o upon_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n it_o be_v this_o love_n that_o move_v he_o to_o comfort_v they_o he_o have_v love_v we_o say_v st._n paul_n and_o give_v we_o everlasting_a consolation_n 2.16_o 2_o thes_n 2.16_o if_o not_o always_o the_o sense_n of_o comfort_n yet_o firm_a and_o sure_a ground_n of_o strong_a and_o durable_a consolation_n once_o more_o there_o be_v also_o amor_fw-la complacentiae_fw-la a_o love_n of_o complacency_n and_o delight_n god_n have_v in_o his_o people_n which_o be_v the_o high_a act_n or_o degree_n of_o love_n all_o his_o delight_n be_v in_o his_o saint_n 16.3_o psal_n 16.3_o that_o be_v in_o the_o earth_n his_o truth_n his_o worship_n and_o his_o people_n be_v all_o he_o have_v any_o great_a delight_n in_o here_o in_o this_o world_n to_o a_o contrite_a christian_a that_o tremble_v at_o his_o word_n 66.2_o isa_n 66.2_o he_o look_v with_o a_o eye_n of_o great_a complacency_n than_o to_o heaven_n and_o earth_n that_o be_v the_o second_o property_n 3._o it_o be_v free_a love_n absolute_o perfect_o free_a i_o will_v love_v they_o free_o 14.4_o hos_fw-la 14.4_o say_v god_n by_o the_o prophet_n hosea_n if_o he_o do_v not_o love_v free_o he_o can_v not_o love_v at_o all_o such_o vile_a creature_n as_o we_o be_v there_o be_v no_o cause_n of_o his_o love_n but_o his_o love_n the_o lord_n do_v not_o set_v his_o love_n upon_o israel_n because_o they_o be_v more_o in_o number_n than_o any_o other_o people_n 77.8_o deut._n 77.8_o but_o because_o he_o love_v they_o free_v it_o be_v in_o every_o sense_n and_o respect_n there_o be_v no_o want_n of_o we_o or_o of_o our_o service_n for_o he_o be_v alsufficient_a and_o what_o want_n can_v be_v to_o he_o that_o be_v infinitâ—_n to_o who_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o add_v the_o sea_n though_o a_o vast_a ocean_n yet_o because_o finite_a be_v capable_a of_o addition_n and_o diminution_n but_o what_o can_v be_v add_v to_o innity_n which_o comprehend_v all_o thing_n wiâ—â—_n in_o itself_o 17._o isa_n 40.15_o 17._o behold_v he_o take_v up_o the_o isle_n as_o very_o little_a thing_n the_o nation_n before_o he_o 〈◊〉_d as_o a_o drop_n of_o a_o bucket_n as_o the_o small_a dust_n of_o 〈◊〉_d balance_n all_o nation_n be_v count_v to_o his_o as_o nothing_o less_o than_o nothing_o and_o vanitâ—_n his_o love_n therefore_o be_v not_o a_o love_n of_o inâ—gence_n but_o of_o redundance_n flow_v oâ—_n free_o also_o it_o be_v without_o purchase_n 〈◊〉_d merit_n on_o his_o people_n part_n and_o in_o thâ—_n sense_n free_a they_o have_v not_o enough_o to_o purchase_v the_o least_o outward_a mercy_n much_o lâ—â—â—_n special_a love_n it_o be_v bestow_v gratis_o without_o money_n and_o without_o price_n even_o thâ—_n merit_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o purchase_v the_o love_n of_o benevolence_n but_o thâ—_n love_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o christ_n comiâ—â—_n and_o of_o all_o he_o do_v and_o suffer_v 5.8_o rom._n 5.8_o god_n commend_v his_o love_n to_o we_o because_o when_o we_o wâ—â—â—_n sinner_n christ_n die_v for_o we_o say_v st._n pâ—â—â—_n we_o have_v demerit_n enough_o to_o draw_v 〈◊〉_d the_o wrath_n and_o hatred_n of_o god_n but_o nothing_o to_o be_v a_o attractive_a of_o his_o love_n it_o be_v fâ—â—â—_n also_o because_o give_v without_o grudge_a god_n love_v his_o people_n with_o all_o his_o heaâ—â—_n and_o with_o all_o his_o soul_n 31.41_o jer._n 31.41_o and_o he_o upbraid_v not_o free_a also_o it_o be_v because_o without_o constraint_n none_o can_v impose_v upon_o god_n in_o this_o matter_n he_o can_v have_v withhold_v it_o and_o deny_v it_o for_o ever_o and_o none_o can_v compel_v he_o to_o set_v his_o love_n upon_o they_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v free_a love_n because_o it_o can_v receive_v no_o compensation_n from_o they_o who_o be_v the_o object_n of_o it_o can_v a_o man_n be_v profitable_a to_o the_o almighty_a 22.3_o job_n 22.3_o as_o a_o man_n may_v be_v profitable_a unto_o himself_o this_o the_o lord_n foresee_v and_o yet_o love_v they_o 4._o it_o be_v a_o very_a peculiar_a distinguish_v love_n this_o be_v declare_v in_o those_o save_a mercy_n he_o bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o deny_v to_o other_o though_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v deny_v fall_v under_o the_o same_o external_a circumstance_n if_o not_o great_a sometime_o with_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v give_v a_o full_a instance_n of_o this_o we_o have_v in_o jacob_n and_o esau_n be_v not_o esau_n jacob_n brother_n 1.2_o mal._n 1.2_o say_v the_o lord_n yet_o i_o have_v love_v jacob_n and_o i_o have_v hate_v esau_n not_o that_o god_n who_o be_v love_n do_v or_o can_v hate_v the_o person_n of_o esau_n abstract_o consider_v he_o love_v the_o person_n he_o make_v and_o hate_v the_o sin_n he_o never_o make_v he_o be_v say_v to_o hate_v the_o worker_n of_o iniquity_n but_o it_o be_v for_o their_o work_n sake_n but_o here_o in_o the_o prophet_n it_o be_v to_o be_v take_v for_o a_o less_o degree_n of_o love_n which_o be_v often_o call_v hate_v in_o the_o scripture_n 29.31_o gen._n 29.31_o it_o be_v say_v jaâ—â—_n hate_v leah_n it_o be_v mean_v comparative_o 〈◊〉_d love_v she_o with_o a_o less_o degree_n of_o love_n thâ—_n rachel_n 14.26_o luk._n 14.26_o so_o it_o be_v say_v he_o that_o hate_v not_o fâ—ther_n and_o mother_n etc._n etc._n yea_o and_o his_o own_o liâ—â—_n also_o can_v be_v christ_n disciple_n in_o othâ—â—_n scripture_n we_o be_v command_v to_o louâ—_v these_o relation_n and_o to_o preserve_v our_o live_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o low_a degree_n of_o love_n in_o comparison_n 〈◊〉_d our_o love_n to_o christ_n our_o love_n to_o thing_n here_o below_o shall_v be_v rather_o a_o kind_a 〈◊〉_d hatred_n than_o love_n thus_o god_n love_v jacâ—â—_n with_o such_o a_o transcendent_a peculiar_a dâ—â—â—_n stinguish_v love_n as_o in_o comparison_n he_o be_v say_v to_o hate_n esau_n his_o louâ—_n to_o jacob_n be_v manifest_v in_o bestow_v peculiar_a favour_n upon_o he_o wheâ—â—_n esau_n have_v only_o common_a mercy_n hâ—_n can_v say_v i_o have_v enough_o but_o jacob_n say_v i_o have_v all_o god_n pass_v a_o gracious_a decreâ—â—_n and_o purpose_n upon_o jacob_n which_o he_o diâ—_n not_o upon_o esau_n 13._o rom._n 9.11_o 12_o 13._o as_o st._n paul_n testify_v thâ—_n child_n not_o be_v yet_o bear_v neither_o have_v do_v good_a or_o evil_n that_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n according_a to_o election_n may_v stand_v he_o say_v the_o elder_a shall_v serve_v the_o young_a 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v write_v jacob_n have_v i_o love_v but_o esaâ—â—_n have_v i_o hate_v 13._o gen._n 28.22_o 13._o god_n appear_v to_o jacob_n and_o establish_v his_o covenant_n with_o he_o this_o he_o do_v not_o to_o or_o with_o esau_n 12.4_o gen._n 32.28_o hos_fw-la 12.4_o he_o make_v jacob_n a_o prince_n with_o himself_o and_o give_v he_o by_o prayer_n &_o tear_n to_o overcome_v he_o of_o a_o wrestle_a jacob_n he_o become_v a_o prevail_a israel_n this_o he_o give_v not_o to_o esau_n and_o though_o esau_n have_v another_o name_n give_v he_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o worse_a edom_n which_o signify_v red_a because_o of_o his_o red_a hairy_a complexion_n as_o some_o think_v or_o because_o of_o the_o red_a pottage_n he_o desire_v and_o for_o it_o sell_v his_o birthright_n as_o other_o judge_n but_o this_o signify_v not_o so_o well_o as_o esau_n which_o import_v protection_n but_o jacob_n be_v yet_o much_o more_o excellent_a in_o a_o word_n jacob_n have_v a_o very_a gracious_a and_o savoury_a spirit_n we_o read_v when_o his_o brother_n ask_v he_o who_o his_o child_n be_v he_o answer_v these_o be_v the_o child_n who_o the_o lord_n have_v gracious_o give_v thy_o servant_n we_o find_v no_o such_o favoury_a expression_n fall_v from_o esau_n what_o distinguish_v love_n be_v there_o in_o all_o these_o passage_n which_o will_v appear_v yet_o more_o full_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o esau_n be_v upon_o even_a ground_n with_o jacob_n in_o outward_a privilege_n and_o in_o some_o above_o he_o 9.10_o rom._n 9.10_o they_o both_o descend_v from_o the_o same_o parent_n both_o under_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n circumcision_n both_o have_v education_n in_o the_o same_o family_n and_o herein_o esau_n excel_v that_o he_o be_v the_o first-born_a 25._o gen._n 25._o and_o the_o belove_a son_n of_o his_o good_a father_n isaâ—_n yet_o say_v the_o lord_n jacob_n have_v i_o love_v 〈◊〉_d esau_n have_v i_o hate_v o_o what_o wonderful_a â—â—â—culiar_a distinguish_a love_n be_v here_o tâ—â—_n be_v the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o all_o his_o people_n two_o
have_v compassion_n on_o who_o 〈◊〉_d will_v have_v compassion_n if_o any_o ask_v whethâ—â—_n god_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v gracious_a if_o 〈◊〉_d have_v save_v all_o mankind_n i_o answer_v yeâ—_n but_o his_o grace_n be_v now_o more_o full_a to_o thoâ—â—_n that_o he_o save_v when_o other_o be_v lose_v eveâ—â—_n as_o a_o prince_n grace_n be_v more_o full_a to_o one_o 〈◊〉_d two_o rebel_n who_o he_o save_v out_o of_o manâ—_n they_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o justice_n of_o thâ—_n law_n as_o well_o as_o other_o two_o thing_n wâ—â—â—_n clear_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o proposition_n 〈◊〉_d we_o if_o we_o due_o consider_v they_o 1._o that_o the_o first_o and_o last_o stone_n of_o thâ—_n build_v of_o salvation_n be_v of_o grace_n not_o 〈◊〉_d grace_v infuse_v into_o we_o but_o of_o grace_n as_o it_o 〈◊〉_d seat_v in_o god_n his_o free_a favour_n to_o the_o creature_n all_o the_o spiritual_a blessing_n which_o be_v bind_v up_o in_o the_o bundle_n of_o salvation_n flow_v from_o this_o fountain_n of_o the_o free_a and_o rich_a love_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n election_n be_v of_o grace_n rom._n 11.6_o there_o be_v a_o remnant_n according_a to_o the_o election_n of_o grace_n vocation_n be_v of_o grace_n the_o apostle_n paul_n say_v god_n call_v he_o by_o his_o grace_n gal._n 1.12_o justification_n be_v of_o grace_n rom._n 3.24_o be_v justify_v free_o by_o his_o grace_n regeneration_n and_o adoption_n be_v of_o grace_n eph._n 1.5_o adoption_n be_v say_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o his_o will_n james_n 1.18_o of_o his_o own_o will_n beget_v he_o we_o redemption_n be_v say_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o riches_n of_o his_o grace_n eph._n 1.7_o hope_n and_o faith_n be_v of_o grace_n we_o read_v of_o some_o who_o believe_v through_o grace_n and_o of_o good_a hope_n through_o grace_n act_n 18.8_o 2_o thes_n 2.16_o power_n against_o sin_n be_v from_o the_o same_o rom_n 6.14_o sin_n shall_v not_o have_v dominion_n over_o you_o for_o you_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n the_o new_a covenant_n be_v a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n when_o adam_n have_v spend_v all_o that_o stock_n of_o grace_n he_o have_v at_o first_o it_o be_v free_a whether_o god_n will_v set_v he_o up_o again_o the_o give_v of_o the_o gospel_n be_v call_v the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n eph._n 3.2_o it_o be_v true_a the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o all_o this_o be_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n yet_o it_o be_v grace_v which_o set_v thy_o design_n on_o foot_n it_o be_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n he_o taste_v death_n heb._n 2.9_o 2._o that_o all_o this_o salvation_n be_v only_o of_o graâ—â—_n for_o in_o the_o scripture_n grace_n be_v oppose_v work_n rom._n 4.4_o to_o he_o that_o work_v the_o reward_n not_o reckon_v of_o grace_n but_o of_o dâ—â—_n and_o further_a rom._n 11.6_o he_o say_v if_o it_o be_v grace_n speak_v of_o election_n then_o be_v iâ—_n more_o of_o work_n otherwise_o grace_n be_v no_o 〈◊〉_d grace_n but_o if_o it_o be_v of_o work_n then_o be_v it_o no_o mâ—â—_n grace_n otherwise_o work_n be_v no_o more_o work_n plat_o set_v grace_n and_o work_n in_o direct_a opposition_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o salvation_n aâ—_n have_v say_v here_o by_o grace_n you_o be_v save_v present_o add_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n not_o work_n titus_n 3.5_o not_o by_o work_n of_o riâ—teousness_n which_o we_o have_v do_v but_o of_o 〈◊〉_d mercy_n have_v he_o save_v we_o 2_o tim._n 1.9_o 〈◊〉_d have_v save_v we_o and_o call_v we_o not_o accordâ—â—_n to_o our_o work_n but_o according_a to_o his_o oâ—â—_n purpose_n and_o grace_n which_o he_o purpose_v christ_n jesus_n before_o the_o world_n begâ—â—â—_n these_o scripture_n give_v full_a witness_n to_o thâ—_n point_n and_o show_v that_o it_o be_v only_o of_o graâ—â—â—_n and_o not_o of_o work_n therefore_o those_o thâ—_n die_v in_o their_o infancy_n and_o such_o as_o repent_v the_o last_o hour_n as_o the_o thief_n on_o the_o crâ—â—â—_n do_v be_v save_v by_o grace_n only_o for_o thâ—_n can_v do_v no_o good_a work_n if_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d work_n it_o must_v be_v either_o of_o those_o do_v bâ—fore_o conversion_n or_o of_o those_o after_o it_o nâ—â—_n of_o those_o before_o conversion_n for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d but_o splendida_fw-la peccata_fw-la as_o some_o term_v they_o all_o a_o man_n do_v in_o this_o state_n be_v not_o only_o sinful_a but_o sin_n itself_o for_o they_o be_v not_o do_v in_o faith_n without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n heb._n 11.6_o the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o young_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n do_v very_o many_o good_a work_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o save_v by_o their_o good_a work_n god_n account_v of_o fruit_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o root_n whence_o they_o spring_v a_o bad_a tree_n can_v bring_v forth_o good_a fruit_n say_v christ_n matth._n 7.18_o nor_o yet_o of_o work_n after_o conversion_n for_o when_o convert_v they_o be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n save_v as_o you_o hear_v in_o the_o former_a doctrine_n good_a work_n be_v rather_o the_o effect_n of_o salvation_n for_o they_o be_v new_o create_v unto_o good_a work_n eph._n 2._o v._n 10._o beside_o that_o can_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o salvation_n which_o be_v itself_o imperfect_a as_o all_o their_o best_a work_n be_v and_o be_v they_o free_a from_o imperfection_n yet_o can_v they_o not_o merit_v salvation_n because_o whatever_o merit_v it_o must_v be_v proprium_fw-la our_o own_o indebitum_fw-la that_o which_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v and_o proportionatum_fw-la it_o must_v bear_v a_o proportion_n to_o the_o thing_n merit_v the_o best_a work_n of_o the_o best_a man_n be_v defective_a and_o want_v in_o all_o these_o for_o they_o be_v not_o their_o own_o but_o wrought_v in_o god_n and_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v due_a to_o god_n even_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o ability_n 〈◊〉_d their_o bind_a duty_n nor_o do_v finite_a work_n bear_v any_o proportion_n to_o a_o infinite_a reward_n the_o do_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o be_v therefore_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n of_o salvation_n for_o they_o can_v never_o be_v accept_v but_o by_o thâ—_n righteousness_n of_o christ_n and_o not_o for_o aâ—â—_n thing_n in_o they_o or_o their_o work_n meretoâ—ously_o he_o have_v make_v we_o accept_v in_o thâ—_n belove_v eph._n 1.6_o and_o therefore_o salvation_n be_v to_o the_o praise_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o hâ—â—_n grace_n as_o it_o be_v in_o that_o verse_n some_o wiâ—â—_n say_v salvation_n be_v promise_v as_o a_o reward_n heb._n 11.26_o but_o not_o a_o reward_n of_o debâ—_n but_o of_o free_a bounty_n the_o gift_n of_o god_n be_v eternal_a life_n rom._n 6._o ult_n you_o will_v say_v gloâ—â—_n be_v the_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n but_o thaâ—_n be_v only_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n promise_n anâ—_n christ_n purchase_n you_o will_v say_v aâ—â—_n work_v whole_o exclude_v from_o the_o state_n oâ—_n salvation_n nothing_o so_o only_a excludeâ—_n from_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o salvation_n they_o be_v via_fw-la regni_fw-la not_o causa_fw-la regnandi_fw-la as_o some_o speak_v some_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v may_v grow_v slighty_a in_o good_a work_n and_o neglect_v they_o luther_n be_v report_v to_o complain_v in_o his_o time_n that_o if_o he_o commend_v good_a work_n to_o man_n some_o will_v do_v they_o as_o if_o they_o will_v set_v up_o a_o ladder_n to_o climb_v to_o heaven_n by_o they_o if_o he_o extol_v the_o free_a grace_n of_o god_n as_o the_o grand_a cause_n of_o salvation_n and_o acceptance_n with_o god_n they_o will_v lay_v aside_o good_a work_n or_o be_v very_o negligent_a and_o formal_a in_o they_o but_o let_v we_o remember_v that_o though_o salvation_n be_v not_o of_o good_a work_n yet_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v because_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v be_v zealous_a of_o good_a work_n titus_n 2.14_o we_o be_v create_v in_o christ_n unto_o good_a work_n which_o god_n ordain_v we_o shall_v walk_v in_o they_o they_o that_o have_v believe_v in_o god_n shall_v be_v careful_a to_o maintain_v good_a work_n titus_n 3.8_o faith_n without_o work_n be_v dead_a let_v our_o light_n so_o shine_v before_o man_n that_o they_o may_v see_v our_o good_a work_n etc._n etc._n mat._n 5.16_o good_a work_n if_o neglect_v a_o man_n can_v be_v save_v yet_o be_v we_o not_o save_v for_o they_o they_o be_v good_a companion_n which_o make_v our_o journey_n more_o comfortable_a yet_o our_o company_n do_v not_o carry_v we_o and_o though_o salvation_n be_v not_o for_o they_o yet_o god_n reward_v every_o man_n according_a to_o they_o and_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o good_a work_n to_o be_v lose_v but_o will_v abundant_o reward_v it_o here_o i_o may_v assign_v reason_n why_o salvation_n be_v of_o grace_n i_o
sermon_n on_o several_a subject_n show_v god_n love_n to_o mankind_n salvation_n be_v by_o grace_n wilderness-provision_n god_n a_o strong_a hold_v in_o trouble_n light_n be_v to_o be_v improve_v by_o j._n lougher_n minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n london_n print_v by_o t._n s._n for_o edward_n giles_n bookseller_n in_o norwich_n near_o the_o marketplace_n 1685._o the_o epistle_n dedicatory_a to_o my_o esteem_a christian_a friend_n in_o and_o about_o southrepps_n and_o alby_n in_o norfolk_n dear_a friend_n the_o kind_a acceptance_n my_o former_a weak_a endeavour_n find_v with_o you_o have_v induce_v i_o to_o this_o second_o attempt_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n i_o have_v contract_v the_o sum_n of_o several_a sermon_n into_o a_o narrow_a compass_n they_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o your_o ear_n they_o be_v now_o in_o your_o eye_n the_o lord_n write_v they_o in_o all_o your_o heart_n i_o expect_v to_o be_v various_o censure_v some_o will_v reject_v they_o for_o their_o plainness_n as_o not_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o humour_n and_o style_n of_o this_o ingenious_a age_n other_o will_v dislike_v they_o as_o not_o agree_v in_o some_o thing_n with_o their_o own_o sentiment_n my_o apology_n be_v only_o this_o as_o i_o have_v agreat_a value_n for_o the_o person_n and_o labour_n of_o every_o learned_a and_o good_a man_n though_o of_o a_o different_a persuasion_n from_o i_o in_o thing_n eâ—trafundamental_a so_o i_o thank_v god_n for_o it_o 〈◊〉_d man_n can_v have_v so_o mean_v a_o esteem_n of_o i_o 〈◊〉_d my_o endeavour_n but_o i_o have_v low_o think_v both_o of_o myself_o and_o they_o for_o i_o do_v 〈◊〉_d ought_v to_o know_v myself_o better_a than_o otherâ—_n do_v or_o can_v and_o by_o this_o i_o have_v learned_a iâ—_n some_o measure_n to_o esteem_v other_o better_a thaâ—_n myself_o worthy_a friend_n if_o god_n wiâ—â—_n please_v to_o make_v the_o follow_a discourse_n by_o his_o blessing_n instrumental_a to_o quikeâ—_n and_o excite_v any_o among_o you_o to_o make_v sure_a 〈◊〉_d a_o interest_n in_o the_o special_a love_n of_o god_n 〈◊〉_d seek_v salvation_n by_o grace_n to_o trust_v god_n fâ—â—_n provision_n in_o your_o wilderness_n condition_n 〈◊〉_d make_v god_n your_o strong_a hold_n in_o a_o day_n 〈◊〉_d trouble_n and_o to_o walk_v while_o you_o hauâ—_n gospel-light_n i_o have_v my_o chief_a end_n in_o thâ—_n publication_n i_o desire_v the_o continuance_n oâ—_n your_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o i_o and_o commend_v you_o all_o in_o the_o perusal_n of_o these_o weaâ—_n meditation_n to_o the_o care_n and_o bless_a influence_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o who_o sake_n i_o be_o your_o servant_n in_o the_o gospel_n john_n lough_o sermon_n i._n john_n 1.4.16_o god_n be_v love_n knowledge_n be_v one_o great_a accomplishment_n of_o the_o rational_a creature_n of_o all_o knowledge_n there_o be_v none_o so_o accomplish_v as_o that_o which_o be_v divine_a and_o spiritual_a of_o all_o divine_a knowledge_n the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o his_o perfection_n be_v the_o most_o excellent_a of_o all_o the_o perfection_n of_o god_n there_o be_v none_o so_o sweet_a and_o desirable_a to_o be_v know_v as_o this_o of_o his_o love_n this_o be_v the_o element_n in_o which_o this_o apostle_n and_o belove_a disciple_n st._n john_n live_v and_o it_o make_v such_o impression_n upon_o his_o heart_n that_o he_o breathe_v little_a but_o love_n throughout_o this_o epistle_n and_o make_v know_v something_o of_o what_o he_o have_v experience_n of_o in_o his_o own_o soul_n and_o not_o only_o declare_v the_o love_n of_o god_n but_o assert_n god_n himself_o to_o be_v love_n in_o the_o text_n now_o before_o we_o which_o word_n be_v a_o short_a description_n of_o god_n and_o a_o proposition_n in_o themselves_o and_o so_o let_v we_o take_v they_o doct._n that_o god_n be_v love_n it_o be_v more_o easy_a to_o declare_v what_o god_n be_v not_o than_o what_o he_o be_v hence_o some_o choose_v to_o speak_v of_o he_o viâ_fw-la remotionis_fw-la they_o consider_v the_o imperfection_n which_o be_v in_o the_o creature_n and_o remove_v they_o all_o from_o god_n as_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o deity_n thus_o they_o say_v he_o be_v impeccable_a impassable_a immortal_a and_o the_o like_a because_o to_o sin_n to_o suffer_v to_o die_v be_v imperfection_n in_o the_o creature_n this_o give_v a_o negative_a discovery_n of_o he_o but_o fall_v far_o short_a of_o what_o he_o be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o the_o most_o positive_a account_n of_o he_o yet_o not_o according_a to_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n no_o word_n can_v do_v that_o but_o so_o as_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o his_o nature_n and_o our_o apprehension_n 1.5_o john_n 4.24_o 1_o john_n 1.5_o thus_o we_o read_v that_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n god_n be_v light_a and_o god_n be_v love_n thus_o he_o be_v twice_o style_v in_o this_o chapter_n viz._n in_o the_o 8_o verse_n of_o it_o and_o in_o the_o text._n quest_n 1._o you_o will_v say_v in_o what_o respect_n may_v this_o be_v speak_v of_o god_n ans_fw-fr 1._o he_o be_v love_n essential_o hence_o he_o be_v not_o only_o say_v to_o be_v love_v but_o love_n in_o the_o abstract_n he_o be_v style_v by_o st._n paul_n the_o god_n of_o love_n 13.11_o 2_o cor._n 13.11_o but_o the_o text_n say_v god_n be_v love_n which_o show_v it_o be_v essential_a to_o his_o nature_n creature_n may_v be_v love_v god_n only_o be_v love_n in_o creature_n it_o be_v but_o a_o accident_n or_o quality_n in_o god_n it_o be_v of_o a_o natural_a descent_n of_o his_o substance_n and_o be_v the_o apostle_n say_v god_n be_v love_n even_o as_o the_o sun_n have_v but_o one_o glorious_a brightness_n &_o no_o colour_n yet_o make_v all_o other_o colour_n visible_a so_o though_o many_o thing_n may_v help_v our_o apprehension_n of_o god_n we_o call_v he_o just_a when_o he_o punish_v true_a when_o he_o perform_v his_o promise_n merciful_a and_o love_v when_o he_o show_v pity_n to_o they_o in_o misery_n yet_o god_n be_v but_o one_o entire_a perfection_n quicquid_fw-la in_o deo_fw-la 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love_n it_o be_v in_o god_n in_o a_o more_o high_a and_o transcendent_a way_n than_o can_v be_v in_o all_o creature_n be_v it_o riches_n they_o affect_v we_o read_v much_o of_o god_n riches_n the_o earth_n be_v full_a of_o thy_o riches_n 4.19_o psa_fw-la 104.24_o eph._n 1.7_o rom._n 2.5_o phil._n 4.19_o say_v the_o psalmist_n we_o read_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o riches_n of_o his_o grace_n the_o riches_n of_o his_o goodness_n the_o riches_n of_o his_o glory_n the_o riches_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o the_o like_a be_v it_o beauty_n they_o be_v take_v with_o god_n be_v more_o glorious_a than_o angel_n they_o cover_v their_o face_n when_o they_o behold_v his_o brightness_n be_v it_o pleasure_n they_o set_v their_o love_n upon_o ult_n psal_n