affirmation As the Father hath loved mee so have I loved you In which are two thingss observable One that our Saviour loveth his disciples that believe on him and love him and this put downe inclusively as a thing so known to them that it needed no affirmation The other that our Saviour soe loves them as the Father loves him so that heere are two things affirmed I. Christ his love to believers II. The peculiarity and manner of his love to them whence spring two observation to veiw Obs 1. That Iesus Christ hath loved and doth love all that in the Heavenly call are brought in to believe on him and love him and that with such an apearing and manifested love that they may know hee loves them whence the affirmation is heere about the kind and manner of his love and not simply of his love as knowing they did not question that For that is soe abundantly testified that unlesse they close their eyes and harden their harts they cannot but know and believe that he loves them and that he loves them much I. In that he tooke our very nature upon him and was made flesh yea for our sakes tooke such flesh and bloud as wee have subject to weaknesse paines and death and so not only being God became man but being in the forme of God equall with his father in glory and majestie hee our case requiring it became not only man but in fashion as a man in forme of a servant in the likenesse of sinful flesh as a worme and no man a reproach of men and despised of the people for our sakes and was not this great love Ioh. 1.14 Heb. 2.14 Phill. 2.7.8.9 Rom. 8.3 Psal 22.6 II. In that hee also in this meane shape in our nature and stead became under the law for us and so in the same bond with us and took upon him our dept and had all our sins imputed to him and was made sin for us and so though he was innocent yet he bare the imputation and the shame and ignominy of all our sins and who can deny but this great love Rom. 3.19 Gall. 4.4 Isa 53.6.12 2. Cor. 5.19.21 Psal 40.11 Heb. 12.2 III. In that he also bare the strokes suffered the punishment and curse and died the death that was due to us and so rose againe acquit of all our sins and a victorer over curse and death and presented himself to his father as the ransome and propitiation for our sins and heerin appeares great and true love endeed Isa 53.4.5.7.8 1. Pet. 2.24 and 3.18 1. Tim. 2.6 Gall. 1.20 IV. In that he hath left his Gospell and received spirit to send forth to make knowne this grace that men might come in and receive it and procure mercy and patience waighting and leading to repentance that wee might repent and believe and so partake of this grace and this is love endeed Rom. 10.18 Psal 68.18 Rom. 2.4 V. In that he hath done all this for us freely while wee not only did not deserve it but were even sinners ungodly and his enimies yet so great his love that far lesse then this is hardly to be found among friends and no greater can be required in us to a friend then he shewed to us when wee were enimies to him Oh love without comparison 1. Pet. 3.18 Isa 53.2.3.4 Ioh. 15.13 Rom. 5.6.7.8.10 Coll. 1.20.21 In all which the believer may see love abundantly manifested to him and this knowne and believed there needed no such particular affirmation that he loved them for they see and believed it in his becoming the propitiation for their sins so as there is no cause to doubt of his love 1. Ioh. 3.16 and 4.10.16 Gal. 2.20 Object Iesus Christ hath so loved all men as to take their nature beare their sins and die their death and give himself a ransome for them and become the propitiation for their sins and procureth patience and mercie with some light at some time to lead them to repentance 1. Tim. 2.5.6 1. Ioh. 2.2 Ioh. 1.9 Therefore all men may know themselves so loved of Christ as well as believers Ans The proposition is True but the inference false for though it be True that he hath so loved all men Ioh. 3.16.17 And hath beene witnessing this his love to them in some measure Act. 14.17 More clearly where the sound of the Gospell comes 2. Cor. 4.13.14 Yet all men have not faith 2. Thess 3.2 The men of the world harkening to the enchantments and delusiones of Satan believe not the goodnesse of God no not where the Gospell comes and so have wrong thoughts of God and either regard him not at all but go one in serving their lusts Psal 14.1.2 and 50.21 and 10. Or else if they thinke of his wrath they suppose to apase him by some other satisfaction and righteousnesse Rom. 9.30.31 and 10.1.2.3 And so they lie in wickednesse 1. Joh. 5.19 And so though love of compassion be towards them as it is to all not given over to Satan yet they not believing it is not manifest to them and so they lying in unbeliefe they are under wrath and condemnation because of their unbeliefe Ioh. 3.18.36 And therefore cannot in their unbeliefe know themselves so beloved of Christ But such as through grace believe they have seene and knowne and believed this love of Christ in all the before-said five respects whence it s rightly said to be manifested to them and through this knowledge and faith they come to receive and have a tast of his first loving them 1. Ioh. 4.10.16.19 and 5.20 And are therthrough brought to depend on him and love him and desue to be conformed to him Rom. 5.5.11 Tit. 3.4.7 1. Pet. 2.3.9 And thus though such love hath shewed it self in Christ for all men yet it is not so manifested to nor knowne and believed of such as lie in unbelieve and so they have it not but the believers know this great love in believing and so have it and yet this is not all but it is farther evidenced to them VI. In that when God by his Spirit did through the Gospell evidence Christ and this his love and the fulnesse of grace and truth in him to them and so made him to appeare so glorious to them that it made all other excellencies as drosse to them and drew their desires after him and so caused them to come in and submit to him and desire to be found in him and enjoye him Isa 55.5 Ioh. 1.14.17 and 6.44.45 Phill. 3.7.8.9 Though then they were found in their owne bloud and filth so as they could not endure the stinch of their owne filth nor the sight of their owne blacknesse and bloudinesse Ezek. 16.1.9 Isa 64.6 Yet then did not he cast them away but washed them with his bloud spake peace to their hart Ioh. 6.37.45 Rev. 1.5 Heb. 12.24 And though they wore found some thing stubborne untoward and gainsaying yet did not he faint nor give over but
15 16. 1 Ioh. 2.20 27. Yea even so that all his sufferings death resurrection ascension his victory wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption is become theires as if they had done all Ioh. 14.12 1 Cor. 1.30 2 Cor. 5 14. Yea hee conferreth on them and maketh them owners and partakers of all that is his even of his devine nature in union interest usefulnesse and comformity and soe of all things pertayning to life and godlinesse 2 Pet. 1 2 3 4. Yea soe that his Father himself his Spirit his covenant his privilidges his inheritance his people are all theirs And this so operative that they and all that is theirs is gained to bee and made his 1 Cor. 3.22 IV. With a most honourable and honouring love the Lord Jesus so loving those that believe on him and love him that hee will not accept to be loved received and acknowledged of any that doe not in with and for him in a measure love receive and acknowledge them but counts all that is done to them as done to himself whether in love or hatred and will not otherwise reckon of it but in some measure will have them in and for him loved as himselfe Mat. 18 5 6. and 45 40 44. Luk 10.16 Act. 9.4 5. 1 Ioh. 4 17 21. He putteth his name upon them and his Spirit in them and so beareth testimony in to and through them 2 Cron. 7 14 16. Isa 59.21 Rom. 8.16 Heb. 11 3. Rev. 2 17. Hee giveth to them the Kingdome and enheritance the Father hath given him Luk. 22 29. Heb. 12 28 and hee will have them to raine with himselfe and make them rule over the nations and judge the world Rev. 2.26 27. 1 Cor. 6.2 Yea hee blesseth and honoureth with blessings such as blesse love esteem them Gen. 12 3. Psal 15.1.4 And this so operative that they so honour him V. With an everlasting love hee hath loved them from eternity in the roote and nature Pro. 8.30 31. And doth soe love them to eternity in roote and branches as they can never drop out of this love of his Ier. 31 3. Ioh. 13 1. He loved them before they were 2 Tim. 1.9 And when they were his enemies Rom. 5 6.10 And when he called them Tit. 3 4.7 And hee loves them even when he speakes hardly to them and chastiseth them Ier. 31.20 Heb. 12.6 And when they are in tribulationes and sufferings for his sake Psal 116.15 And when they bring forth the fruites of his Spirit and approach to him Cant. 4.9 15. Yea he will love them for ever and it shall shine forth upon them without any darknesse or interuption when they shal be with him and see his glory seeing as they are seene and being made like him and so rejoycing in his love for ever and ever Ioh. 17 24. 1 Ioh. 3.1.2 Rev. 21. and 22. And this so opperative as it unites them in love to him for ever and thus as the father hath loved his son Iesus Christ so hath and doth Iesus Christ love those that believe on him and love him only in this wee are to heed this caution to keep us sober in the beliefe of so great love viz. That as Iesus Christ made the propitiation himself for us in and by himself without us so hee and hee only is the fountaine and cause in and through himself of all this love and fruites thereof to us so that in this respect he hath no partners 1 Ioh. 2.2 Psal 36.9 Hose 14 8. And for the communication of this his delightful love and fruites thereof he doth it according to his Fathers mind who in al things will have his son Iesus to have the preheminence his portion with out bounds or measure immeasurable but to every one that believeth on him a measure according to the measure of Christ Coll. 1 19. Ioh. 3 33. Eph. 1.7 And this observed wee may safely affirme and verily believe that as God the Father hath loved all men with a love of compassion so hath Iesus Christ so also loved them that he hath given himself a ransome for all men to be testified in due time Ioh. 3.16 17. 1 Ioh. 4 14. 1 Tim. 2.6 Even so as the Father hath loved and loveth his son Iesus Christ with a higher degree of love and a more peculiar love then he loved the world for whose redemption he sent him forth Ioh. 5 20. Rom. 14 9 12. Even so the Lord Iesus Christ hath loved and doth love all those that by his grace and Spirit are in the heavenly call brought into believe in him and love him even with the same devine Spirituall free righteous delightfull well-pleased abundant flowing honourable honouring and everlasting love in which the Father hath loved and loveth him himself having assirmed it And to make a little use of this point before we enter on the next Vse I. This may be an Information to us both of the greatnesse of the love of God and Iesus Christ our Lord to all that believe in Iesus Christ and love him and also of the happy and blessed condition of such believers I. For the love of God to these his people wee may better expresse it by admiration then description For how great is his goodnesse which hee hath laid up for them that feare him and wrought for them that trust in him before the sons of men Psal 31.19 That neither know or love him or them it was love endeed and that great also to ransome and redeeme them with his owne bloud from that great misery into which they were fallen and then to make knowne this love to them and therthrough to extend the choise fruites of his compassionate love to them as before but as if all this were but a little in the account of so gracious a God to do for them his love stayes not in this but floweth farther in loving them as he loves his son to make them like his son and sons in his son who loveth them also as the Father loveth him so that in this love God maketh them his sons his treasure and delight and hee is become their God and Father their refuge rock-portion guide and protector and hath intressed them in and made them owners of all his owne things and will bring them to raine together with Iesus Christ his son and preserve them till he bring them to that inheritance with Iesus Christ and make them like him to be ever with him Oh consider and behold what manner of love is this Ioh. 17 23 2 Cor. 6 18. Psal 18 1.2 Rom. 8 32. 1 Cor. 3.22 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 1 Ioh. 3.1.2 II. For the happinesse of the condition of such as believe in Iesus Christ and love him enough is said where such love is assured to them and in such love to have forgivenesse of all their sins acceptation of their persons and accesse to the throne of grace Act. 10 43. Rom. 3 1 2. To have the Lord for their
on him and love him that so they might come to partake of this peculiar love Ioh. 11.42 and 17.21.22.23 and 20.31 As Iesus Christ set forth the privilledges of his disciples in the hearing of the multitude Mat. 5.3.8 That the multitude hearing the same might bee alured to become his disciples that so they might also come to partake of such priviledges II. More speciall and peculiar for such as by the spirit of grace are enabled through the Gospell in the knowledge of the propitiation made by Christ and the eternall life that is in him and the love of God in the gift of his son to believe the truth and goodnesse of the report of the Gospell so as there through they are convinced and emptied of their former delight and considences and alured and overcome to submit and come into Christ Rom. 6.17 Isa 55.4.5 Ioh. 6.44.45 And in believing receive from God through Christ remission of sins peace in conscience and accesse to God Act. 10.43 Rom. 5.1.2 Eph. 2.17.18 So as heerby they are enabled to believe both the redemption and reconciliation wrought in and by Christ with God which is in him and hee is and that reconciliation that by his spirit he worketh in men to God and the eternall life that is in him to bestow and in this believing to depend on him for the same and in that dependance to love both him and their brethren Rom. 5.6.7.8.11 and 4.22.25 1. Pet. 1.8.21.22.23 These though yet accumbred with such like infirmities as these disciples were are yet true believers in end lovers of Christ and built upon him and in the same condition and so loved even as they were as is evident by comparing our saviours profession to Peter and Peters aplication of the same to all unfeyned believers and lovers of Christ Mat. 16.16.17.18 With 1. Pet. 2.3.4.5.9 And our saviours promise to all so believing in and loving of him Ioh. 14.21.23 And this affirmation charge and direction is recorded for their learning that through patience and comfort of the scriptures they may have hope Rom. 15.4 And so not only know they are beloved but even so beloved of Iesus Christ even as the Apostle writ to those that believed and knew they had life that they might farther know this eternall life and their having of it and so believe more and more and have their joy full 1. Ioh. 5.10.11.12.13 and 1.4 with Ioh. 15.11 Object It seemes as if believers now could not have like assurance of such peculiar love and so such consolation in it as the e had to whom Christ spake it because they had it from Christ his owne mouth which none now can have because he is in heaven Ans This is a great mistake and wrong conception confuted by our saviour himself who before he lift the world did testifie that he would send another advocate and comforter even the Holy Spirit of truth in his stead and place to be with the believers for ever and that his Spirit should bring his words to their remembrance and teach them al things Ioh. 14.16.17.18.21.23.26 Yea soe as it should be noe dammage to them that he left the world and went to his Father but more gainfull to them then if he had not gone in bodily presence from them Joh. 16.7.8.15 And this Holy Spirit gives to believers a twofold knowledge of this peculiar love though not both alwayes at once and this he doth I. By making a man a believer glorifying Christ so in his hart as hee not only brings him to believe the propitiation made by him but in believing that love and goodnesse to depend on God in Christ for farther saving and for that eternall life that is in him 1. Pet. 1.21 Rom. 3.24 25. and 4.23 25. and 5.8 9 11. And therein effects love and a Christ-like disposition 2 Cor. 3.3 In which believing he gives them interest in Christ and in al that is Christ 1 Cor. 1.30 and 3.22 23. And such in their believing veiw of this affimation and invitation may know themselves so beloved and envited of Christ and have the same assurance and consolation thereof that these had to whom Christ spake If not somthing more then they had till after his assencion that they received the promise of the more abundant portion of the Holy Ghost compare Rom. 15.4.5 1 Joh. 5.10.13 with Joh. 16.7 15. and 30.31 II. By a more peculiar witnessing such love as this into their believing hart Rom. 8.15 16 17. By a supernaturall illumination and inspiration of his gracious word and promise into the hart in which hee cleares up and sheads abroad even this peculiar love more abundantly therein Ioh. 14.26 Rom. 5.5 Tit. 3.5 6. By which Spirit Christ doth manifest his presence with them acquaint them with the things of the Father and himselfe which gives more abundant consolation to the beleevers as it did to these when they received the same Joh. 14.21 23. and 16 13 14 15.7 Act. 2. Cant. 1.2 And to this end was this recorded that believers might know certainly their interest in this peculiar love and have the consolation of it waite therein for the more full peculiar testimony therof so great their consolation thereby From these three things thus observed Viz. That it is Jesus Christ that hath affirmed so great love c. And that it was affirmed to believers and that it is recorded for believers that they may know how they are beloved I. Al that reade and heare the same should be stirred up to obey and embrace the Gospell of Christ in which not only deliverance from sin and death is declared and tendered but also for such as doe believe such peculiar love and eternall life to be farther found in Christ and the greater grace it tenders the greater the sin and the more woful the condition of al that doe slight and disobey the cal thereof Act. 8.38.39.41 Hose 11 7. Heb. 2.3 and 12.25 2 Thes 1 8. Oh that men would believe and turne II. Believers have good cause to praise and glorify God for recording the affirmationes of and invitationes to such grace in the Gospell Rev. 22.16 17. And also to give the more ernest heed to this great love and to the invitation and direction for continuance therein seeing it is from Christ to them Heb. 2.1 4. And according to this threefold consideration vew the words themselves now in the words themselves are three things considerable I. Our Saviour serious affirmation of his love and the manner of it to his disciples As the Father hath loved me soe have I loved you II. His gracious exortation invitation or charge Continue yee in my love III. His sweet and safe direction how to continue in his love including a promise in it If yee keepe my commandments yee shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commands and abide in his love I. The first thing to be vewed in our Saviour serious
24. Coll. 3.1 12. Gall. 5.22 23. Phill. 2.1 6 12 13 14 15 16. 1 Thes 5.11 14 23. And so to hasten to the comming of Christ waiting for him to perfect and fit them for it Tit. 2.11 12 14. 2 Tim. 4.8 2 Pet. 3.11 And because they know the love of Iesus Christ their life to be so great to them they esteeme highly of his word and Spirit and the ordinances which in his word he hath apointed them and wherein they may testify submission to him and considence in and love to him Psal 119.138 139 140. and 143.10 and 84. to the end And soe waite through the Spirit to receive all help for all things needful to perfect them from him through his word and Spirit and in fellowship with him and his chosen ones in use of his apointments Isa 26.7.12 Gall. 5.5.6 1 Ioh. 1.3 4. Psal 100.4 5. And therefore will not turne aside for helpfulnesse to dead images or devices and traditiones of men knowing that in so doeing they should sit loose from him their head and dishonour him as wanting love or Spirit and procure to themselves blasting and witherdnesse in their life and love and darkenings in perceiption of his love which is their life Psal 115.1 14. Coll. 2.6 8. 9 10 16 23. 1 Ioh. 5.20.21 Psal 30.5 12. Gall. 6.8 II. This manifested love of Christ doth Admonish those that believe in Christ and love him I. In all conditiones and how-ever things apeare to sence yet to acknowledge him to have loved us and to be loving and gracious to us to be good and to doe good and praise him for his kindnesse and wonderfull works waiting on him for his goodnesse to be shewne us in due time Psal 73.1 and 145. to the end Phill. 4.4.7 Psal 107. to the end 1 Thes 5.18 Lam. 3.26 31. Let hoe affliction cause us to murmur against him or be jealous of his love for that is great wee have cause to be jealous of our own love and he might say to us wherein have you loved mee and wee might be silent but yet he accepts and remembers the small fruites of his Spirit in us and forgets not the love of our espousealls though it were but the fruites of his own first discovered love Cant. 5.1 Jer. 2.2 Heb. 6.10 1 Ioh. 4.19 And shall wee for a little hideing and silence of his or a few afflictions from him call in question al his love and in beholding the fulnesse of others say to him wherein hast thou loved us far bee it from us hee can not but behold it as an evill in us that he hath so loved us as to take our nature beare out sins suffer our curse and give himselfe a ransome for us and become the propitiation for our sins and al this for us while we were his enemies and yet we to say wherein hast thou loved us If thou say hee hath so loved al men yet I pray the consider he hath not so made it known to al men and sweetned the knowledge thereof to their harts as he hath done to thee they are thy Brethren created by the same God purchased by the same Lord and of as good nature parts and other naturall qualificationes and performances as thou and no worse then thou wert yet he suffers them to lye in darknesse and to rest upon such mountaines of worldly riches friends fleshly wisedome or self wrought righteousnesse as he hath blasted and will bring downe and as will fayle them But he hath discovered to the the mountain of Israel and brought thee out of darknesse into light and gained thee to himselfe with the knowledge of his love soe manifested that himselfe might be thy mountaine thy peace thy righteousnesse thy life and hath often made thee tast his goodnesse and is now but confirming thee to him in his crosse and death that thou mayest partake of his resurrection and life and wilt thou so forget all his goodnesse as to say wherein hast thou loved mee Oh doe not so let us not so ill-requite him as for any thing to be offended in him Mall 1.1 6. Rom. 6 3 5. 2 Cor. 4.10 11. Phill. 3.10 14. II. To learne of Christ to love others as wee have been and are loved of Christ Jesus to love such as are yet enimies to us and know not Christ with the love of compassiones as Christ did us when we were enimies to him without partaking of their sins or delightfull fellowship with them in their wayes to use meekenesse patience and long-suffering to them and pray for them and seeke to overcome their evill with goodnesse Mat. 5.44 45. Rom. 12.17 21. Tit. 3.2.3 4. 1 Pet. 2.22 23 24. To love believers with love of delight exercising bowels of mercies to them bearing their infirmities and burthens having fellowship with them continuing in Brotherly love Coll. 3.12 16. Rom. 14 and 15. 1 Pet. 4.10 11. Heb. 10. and 13 1. But this with other uses do more fully flow from the next observation joyned to this III. This love of Jesus Christ so manifested may bee a ground of exortation to us to mind and heed wel this his love that we may be more abundantly firmed in the beliefe heeroff it beeing the ground of our believing and that which believed doth facillitate our beliefe of that more abundant love that followeth to be spoken of Rom. 5.1 5 10 11. and 8.31 36. Gall. 2.20 And while there remayneth doubtfulnesse in this there can be no stabillity in the beliefe of that which followeth now to be spoken of in the next observation Joh. 3.12 and 6.61 62 63. II. Obse That Iesus Christ loveth those that believe in him and love him even as the Father hath loved him In which observation there is something closely intimated namely That the love of Jesus Christ and so of God the Father in and through him to such as believe in Jesus Christ and love him is a speciall and peculiar love above all that love in which he loveth any other of the sous of men Deut. 7.6.7 Truth it is he loveth all the sons of men till they become of the seed of the Serpent with the love of compassion and willingnesse to have them come in to him Psal 145.8 9. Pro. 8.4 5 31. Joh. 3.16 17. 1 Tim. 1.15 Yea even while they are sinners and know him not and while he is angry with them for not believing on him Rom. 5.6 8 10. 1 Joh. 2.2 and 4 10. Joh. 3.18.36 And this their not knowing and not believing this his love and goodnesse is that which holds them in impenitency and under sin and in wickednesse still Psal 9 10. Rom. 2.4.5 Joh. 16.8 11. 1 Joh. 5.19 20. 2 Thess 2.8 But such cleare and powerfull discovery of his love and goodnesse as doth cause the hart so to know believe and acknowledge the same that one is overcome thereby to believe on him and love him is a speciall and peculiar in his love
that loves us so dearly who is the Lord of all and all are his servants Eccles 3.14 Psal 119.89 90 92. It is the appointed way to passe through before we can come to enjoy the harvest and fulnesse of his peculiar love and choise fruites thereof Act. 14.22 And that in due season as wee suffer with him wee shall raine with him 2 Tim. 2.12 III. To love one another as Jesus Christ hath loved us even so freely delightfully flowingly c. And to walk in such love and fellowship together c. Eph. 5.1.2 To all which by this love of Christ we may be exorted but the speciall use in which wee may come to see and ataine to all set forth in these uses is that which followes in the next point The Second thing to bee veiwed is Our Saviours gracious invitation or charge Viz. Continue yea in my love This sentence by the whole drift scope of our Saviours instruction in the simily from Vers 1. to this 9 Vers apeares to be ment in as large a sence as Vers 4. Abide in me and I in you and as Vers 7. If yee abide in mee and my words in you Soc as the sence appeares to bee twofold First Continue yea in my love That is Depend and rest upon it and rest your selves satisfied with it and turne not aside from this my love to seeke or desire any other loves beside mine Psal 36.7 8. and 73.23 26. and 23. and 27. 1. Isa 28.12 16. and 30.15.16 Secondly Continue yea in my love That is let it bee ever with you in you and before you and have its perfect working in you in all its operationes and doe not smoother it or shrinck from it in any of its workings and motiones Rev. 3.3 Jam. 1â— 25. 1 Thess 5.19 So that the meaning of the words apeare to bee as much as if our Saviour had said in more words to his disciples and to us in them I. Continue yea in my love take up all your satisfying and well-pleasednesse therein Psal 16.5 6 7 and 18 1 2 3. Phill. 3.3 7 8 9. Drink in all your delight and resreshing therefrom Joh. 7.37 38 39. Psal 36.7 8 9. Cant. 1.2 3 and 5 1. And take up all your consolation and glorying in this my love Jer. 9.23 24. 1 Cor. 1.30.31 II. Continue ye in my love walk in it and yeild up your selves to go forth in all the opperationes of it doing all you do in the remembrance beliefe of and confidence in this my love and in submission too and walking in the same Coll. 3.16 17 and 2 6. Gall. 2.20 Rom. 6.17 and 12 1.2 Phil. 2.2.6 So that to take the sence both in a briefe summe and in an amplified explication it comes both into the same sence As. I. To take it in a briefe summe it appeares to have this sence continue yea in my love that is as much as to say so cleave to me and demane your selves to mee-ward in accepting of and yeelding to my love in taking all your satisfying in it and yeelding all your service to it that you neither turne aside and wind out your selves from it nor cause mee to hide or withdraw it from you suitable to this are such prayers and exhortations as Coll. 1.9 10 11 and 3 9 10 16 Eph. 3 16 19 and 4 1 7 22 24. Eph. 5.2 For such as so continue in his love that by his love they be enflamed with and led out in the love of him shall partake of more abundant testimonies of love from him Pro. 8.27 Jeh 14.21 23. But such as withdraw from resting and delighting in his love and yeelding up in love to the requirings and opperationes thereof hee will not flow in upon them with appearance and testimonies of his delightfull love but rather hide the same from them Heb. 10.38 Therefore for our profit he said continue yea in my love viz. in resting in and yeelding to my love II. To take the sence in an amplified explication in some particular branches to continue in this love of Christ containeth in it these particulars I. To remember his love with all the fruites thereof so as wee never forget nor be unmindfull of the same but keepe it in our mind and hart as it hath beene by the word of grace and his Spirit therein made knowne to us Cant. 1.4 Psal 103.1 5 As to say His redeeming us by his bloud even when wee were his enemies Rom. 5.5.6 10. 1 Cor. 15.1.4 His accepting and receiving us when in the heavenly call wee were presented to him though wee were then in our bloud hee washing and speaking peace to us and in us even by his bloud that was before shead for us Ezek. 16.4.6 9. Rev. 5.5 His becoming all things for us and to us even wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Father Brother Prince teacher c. 1 Cor. 1.30 Jsa 9.6 His oft supporting relieving and visitting us and assuring his gracious presence with us and giving us some experiment thereof in his gracious opperations Psal 34.4 and 116 1 10. Isa 43.1 2 3. Rom. 5.2.3.4 His making us sons and therein partakers of all his son like privilledges and therein filling us with peace and assurance of raining and so the first fruites of eternall life and the hope of the inheritance and Kingdome Joh. 1.12 1 Ioh. 3.1.2 Rev. 1.6 and 5 10. Rom. 5.2.3 His making an everlasting and free covenant with us engaging himself to us for all these high privilledges 2 Sam. 23.5 1 Cron. 16 15 18. Psal 105.8.9.10 Of which himself is ever mindfull And of all these things to be mindfull is one step of continuing in his love II. To abide in and keepe fast and constantly at all times that judgement esteeme and prizing of his love and the fruites thereof and the goodnesse and equity of all it requireth and worketh which was begotten and quickened up in us upon the first discovery and communication of his love to us by his Spirit in and through the word of grace in which wee were enabled to beliefe and this is another step of continuance in his love Pro. 31.21 22 and 4 20 21. Rev. 3.3 Ier. 2.1.5 Deut. 32.15.18 III. To abide in and hold fast our considence in his love and goodnesse which by his grace he hath begotten trusting perfectly to his grace and this is to stand and stay in his love Heb. 3.6.14 and 10 35. 1 Pet. 1.13 IV. To account this love of his with the fruites thereof riches enough without desire or regard of any other love or fruite to enrich us and this is to take up our content and lie downe in his love Psal 73.23 Phil. 3.7.9 V. To suffer this love of his thus remembred esteemed trusted to with content taking therein to have its perfect worke in and with us 1 Ioh. 4.10.11.12.17.18.21 In making the world with all the glory riches and goodlinesse thereof as contemptible to us as it will Phill.
and so without sin and this the scripture sets forth as his peculiar hee knew no sin he did no sin c. Ioh. 8 46. Heb. 7 26. Ioh. 17.4 Isa 50 and 53. Heb. 2 13. Ioh 13 1. Mat. 4 and 10. Ioh. 17 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Pet. 2 22 3 18. And that every one of us yea the best of all his servants while heere on earth offend in many things Iam. 3.2 Having sin still in nature Iob. 14 4 and 15 14. And also in his life Rom. 7 15. Gall 5 17. Against the law of works Rom. 3.19 20. Yea and the Gospell and so even against the law of grace In strists about the worke peculiar to Christ seeking in endavours to make peace and give satisfaction by performances or to doe in ones owne strength to make up duty and conscience good Rom. 9 32 and 10 3 and 7 15 24 25. and 8 7 8. Gall. 2 and 3. Or else in short-comming of that which through grace given wee might in the faith and love mencioned or walking therein to the denyall of the flesh and yeelding up to the Spirit in all things Rom. 7 15 25. Gall. 5 17. Yea it may bee in failing in particular service or ministration yea so certaine it is that all of us do in some things offend that who ever saith either that hee hath no sin or that he hath not sinned there is no truth in him and he casteth the lye on God Ioh. 1.8 10. Neither can any regenerate man avoid this by saying personally in themselves they have no sin or of themselves they do no sin but onely as they are one with their brethren and reckon themselves after them so they are sinners and do sin while any of their brethren have sin and are found to sin for in such a sence even so might Jesus Christ himself have said Isa 53 2. Cor. 5 21. 1 Pet. 2 24. And so may he still be said to suffer affliction Act. 9 4. Coll. 1 24. Isa 61 9. And to want of his fulnesse and perfection Eph. 1 23 and 4 13. And yet is this his peculiar that he knew no sin nor did sin being Holy harmelesse undefiled separate from sinners which could not bee if any could be said to be without sin in this life in such a sence besides himself Therefore there is yet one thing more to be put in in our keeping his commandements namely that as any sin is yet found either in our nature or life either against law of works or law of grace in failing either in faith or love or walking therein and yeelding to the Spirit there through according to grace received So wee in the acknowledgement of this his grace do speedily confesse our sins and seeke remission and healing of him and so in confidence of his goodnesse and love of brethren go one still in his way before him 1 Sam. 12 20 22. Pro. 28 13 14. 1 Ioh. 1 7 9. And in these five particulars is comprehended the keeping of his commands that appertaines to us III. For the third thing in this point the manner of keeping his commandements even as hee kept his Fathers commandements what this also is Viz. I. That all be done in an one-nesse and a greement of mind and will with the mind and will of Christ and God in Christ and so from the motion of the Spirit and law writ in the hart 1 Cor. 2 16 2. Cor. 3 3 17 18. II. Faithfully in the midst of his house and among the sons of men even a perverse people and in the midst of temptationes from the world the flesh and the devill Psal 101. Phill. 1 27 30 and 2 15 16 17. III. Constantly at all times and in all things with patience through all labours and sufferings till the season of entring his rest be fully given Act. 14 22. 2 Tim. 2 3 and 3 11 12. Mat. 10. Which will be but a first fruites heere Heb. 4 3 11. And perfectly at their departure hence Rev. 14 13. And gloriously at his comming againe for which they looke and long Phill. 3 20 21. 2 Cor. 5 1 6. 2 Tim. 4 8. Rev. 22 17 20. IV. Holding and excercising faith and love through all these 2 Cor. 5 1 14 19 c. For thus it is in all these respects before shewne that Christ kept his Fathers commandements And thus it is shewne what the commandments and the keeping of them with the manner thereof is Which may be Vse I. A discovery of the mistake or scant conceiptiones of the truth of such as in this place by commandements understand noe farther thing but the precepts of ten-words engraven in tables of stone and delivered by Moses to the people to be first kept by Christ by his Fathers command and to be now kept by believers by Christs command which beeing a law without us and enjoinning to doe and live will leave us all under sinne and death it beeing impossible for us to have life and enjoy the righteousnesse of the law that way because wee cannot perform the righteousnesse that apertayneth to us according to that law Rom. 3 10 20. Gall. 3 10. Rom. 8 3 4 Phill. 3 3 9. And though it were perfectly performed by Iesus Christ yet if there had not beene greater commandments that he received of the Father and performed for us our faith were but vayne and wee had beene in our sinnes and soe in danger of wrath still Ioh. 10 18 and 12.31 Heb. 9 22 26. 1 Cor. 15 14 17 18 Rom. 3 25. The ignorance whereof causeth many to establish a righteousnesse of their owne by setting upon the law and so submit not to Christ who is the end of the law for righteousnesse Rom. 10.3 4 In whom nothing avayleth but faith which worketh by love Gall. 5 6 All which may be clearly and fully seen in that which is all-ready said about this buy sinesse Vse II. And this also may bee an information of the cause of soe much darknesse and so many great and smarting afflictiones that many believers in this life do fall into namely because they keepe not the commandements which Christ hath put in their harts which are the same the Father by his Spirit through Christ hath given unto them which had they attended too their peace had beene as a river and their righteousnesse as the waves of the Sea Psal 89 30 31 32. Isa 48 18. Soe that the cause of such smarting afflictiones on them is not because they were unable to keepe the law of works or came short thereof through a necessity by that weaknesse Psal 103 10 and 143 2 Nor yet because they were unable to walke suitable and answerable to the Gospell or law of grace or fell short thereof through a necessity by that weaknesse Psal 130 3 4. For God requires in this no more then hee hath sowne Luk. 19.21.22 But in and according to the Gospell accepts of believers the will for the deed and requires
manifested the hart is brought to esteeme basely of it self and highly of him and in beliefe of this grace effected by him is brought to beliefe on him and so on God in him for that eternall life and all that belongs theretoo which is in him to give and work this being the faith heere-ment that is the first commandement Rom. 3.24.25.26 and 4.5.22.25 and 5.1.8.10.11 To which faith or to them so believing the promises theretoo are very great as the receite of the remission of all a mans sins Act. 10.43 Accesse to the throne of grace justification and hearing and answer of all prayers so put forth Act. 13.3.6 Rom. 5.1.2 Mat. 21.22 fruitfulnesse and living springs of Spirit yea such though dead shall live and living shall never dye but shall have victory over lusts support and victory in afflictions and temptations in a word they shall never bee ashamed of their hope but have eternall life Ioh. 7.37.38.39 and 11.25 and 14. and 15. c. III. The love to brethren that flowes from his love believed which is the second command Ioh. 13.34 and 15.12 Hath also great promises to it as that all such love with the fruites thereof shall be accepted as to himself and shall be rewarded even to the least fruite thereof Mat. 10.40.41.42 And that God dwelleth with such and they in him and are his friends 1 Ioh. 4.12.16 Ioh. 15.14 And shall abide in the light and be watered and blessed and filled with love from God and Brethren 1 Ioh. 2.11 Isa 32.8 IV. Walking in faith and love begot in the hart through the word of grace and issuing therefrom hath great promises also of encrease of light and strength and much fruitfulnesse every way before God Pro. 8.12.18 and 10.29 1 Cor. 13 to the end V. Yea even all the fruites of faith and love in every particular service thereof have promise of acceptance and blessing and answer of prayers Heb. 6.10 Gall. 6.8 1 Ioh. 3.22.23.24 And all comprehended and summed up in this if yea keep my commandements yea shall abide in my love So that if the love of God and Christ towards us bee of any force with us and desired of us let it be a load stone to us and have its perfect work with us to give up all our members to God in keeping these commandements of Christ Rom. 12.1.2.3 Phill. 2.1.2.3.4.5.6 And to prize the same above gold and silver and all earthly enheritances Psal 119.72.111 And count it as our meate and drink to be exercised in the services thereof Iob. 23.12 Ioh. 4.34 And to be diligent and unwearied therein through what trials soever wee passe for the same Gall. 6.10 That so wee may take up our content in his love and in keeping his commandements abide in his love and so his joy remaine in us and our joy be fully sound and encrease til it come to fulnesse in the harvest in his visible presence which is the end and scope of these sayings of our saviours in Ioh. 15.9.10 As the Father hath loved mee so have I loved you continue yea in my love If yea keepe my commandements yea shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers ecommandements and abide in his love From which words together in one considered wee may observe as a broviary of all that hath beene said these few lessons therein Obs I. That the choise happinesse heere to be desired and obtained and which hath all satisfying fulnesse in it to satisfie Spiritual desires and that wil also beare through al troubles and bring to everlasting blessednesse is to be beloved of the Father as he loveth Christ and to be beloved of Christ as the Father loveth him and this appeares heere plainly by Christ his promising of it as the choise happinesse to his disciples and his prayer for them Ioh. 17.21 And promise to them Ioh. 14.17.21.23 And the prayer of his people for it Psal 106.4 Cant. 2.4.5 And their profession of it Cant. 1.2.3 Psal 30.5 Obs II. That this peculiar love belongs too and is to be expected believed and waited for of the weakest that through grace believe in Jesus Christ and love their brethren and this is evident by our saviours affirmation of it to his weake disciples and willing them to continue in it and the enjoyment of this peculiar love with promise of establishment in it and fulnesse in due season is the portion of all that walk in faith and love and this is evident in our saviours saying if yea keep my commandements yea shall abide in my love c. Obs III. That it is good and well-pleasing in the sight of God and Christ that all that believe in him do continue and abide in this his peculiar love and this is evident both by his charge continue you in my love and his promise and direction if yea keep my commandements yea shall abide in my love c. IV. Obs IV. That the meane or way for believers to continue and abide in this his peculiar love is to keepe his commandments as hee kept his Fathers commandements though wanting in such perfection of degree in keeping yet in like manner and this is evident in the direction and promise in expresse words V. Obs V. That all believers so keeping the commandments of Jesus Christ shall infallibly continue and abide in this his peculiar love And some ground or reason of these things may be seen in the words also I. Reas I. Our Saviour affirming such love to them calling them to continue in it directing them how and giving the promise to them shewes his will and giveth ground and reason to confirm all to them II. Reas II. Our Saviour keeping his Fathers commandements and thereby first redeeming us and then giving us life sheweth both the Fathers love to us in giving him such commandements and Christ his love to us in fulfilling those commands and giving such sweet commandments to us also in which himself hath gone before us doth give us ground encouragement and motive both for believing in him and loving one another and for walking in this faith and love III. Reas III. His manifesting our beeing reckoned of God after him and his loving us as God loves him and that as hee in keeping his Fathers commands to procure us life abode in his Fathers love so wee keeping his commands in receite and exercise of the life given us shall abide in his love all this is that very thing wee are to believe which will endeed consolato and set us on walking IV. Reas IV. This keeping his commandments is an exercising our selves in his love and suffering it to have its perfect worke in us and soe is the very leading in and way of continuing and abiding in his love All which as it is seene in the words so it is very usefull as is foreshewn I. Vse I. It sheweth just cause of reproofe of and griefe and lamentation for many I. Such a mistake the marke either in their conceiptiones or pursuite of happinesse seeking it in favour liberty riches and honours amongst men feeding on ashes II. Such as professe to seeke God and yet either ignorant of or not pressing after this choyse happinesse but striving for life in their own righteousnes or spending their choyse strength to know that Christ dyed for them leaving this peculiar love unsought only to be challenged in a blind conclusion and consequence III. Such as having begun to see and tast this peculiar love either again through folly withdraw or complain for want of other loves II. Vse II. It is a good admonition to us all neither to seeke other loves then this of God and Christ nor to rest in his love of compassion without the knowledge and enjoyment of this peculiar love but seeke this above all things III. Vse III. It is a good motive to al that have seen and tasted this peculiar love in believing To continue and abide ever in it IV. Vse IV. An exortation to keepe the commandements of faith and love and to walke constantly therein as is before shewn I. Motive I. None but such love Christ Jesus sinceerly Ioh. 14.21 II. Motive II. Nene but such have assmance of abiding in his peculiar love III. Motive III. All such shall assuredly continue in this his peculiar love V. Vse V. This is a consolation and encouragement for al that believe in Jesus Christ and walke in faith and love to goe one without fainting in hope and dilligence till they come to the end of their hope in the fruition of glorious love FINIS ERRATA PAg. 16. lin 38. for one hinne read one in hinne pag. 20. lin 7. for with read which pag. 22. lin 23. for servant read servants lin 28. for allso read also lin 35. for father read farther pag. 23. lin 30. for Christ read Christs pag. 25. lin 22. blote out to also pag. 28. lin 2. for lift read left lin 24. for delight read delights pag. 29. lin 16. for lift read left pag. 30. lin 37. for Saviour read Saviours pag. 31. lin 4. for Saviour read Saviours pag. 33. lin 3. for apase read apease pag. 43. lin 35. for wel-pleased read well-pleasednesse pag. 44. lin 14. for doore read dooer pag. 45. lin 22. for infint read insenit pag. 52. lin 18. for horne read turne pag. 57. lin 18. for they read thy pag. 58. lin 28. for both read doth pag 58. lin 39. for lovinesse read lovelinesse pag. 30. lin 6. for thet read that lin 36. for is read as