doubtful the Apostle doth not say We hope or conjecture but it is like an Article in our Creed We know all things work for good Whence observe That the Truths of the Gospel are evident and infallible A Christian may come not onely to a loose opinion but to a certainty of what he holds As the Axiomes in Logick and Aphorismes in Physick are demonstrated to Reason so the Truths in Religion are demonstrated to Faith We know saith the Apostle Though a Christian hath noâ— a perfect knowledge of the Mysteries of the Gospel yet he hath a certain knowledge We see through a glasse darkly 1 Cor. 13.12 therefore we have not perfection of knowledge but we behold with open face 2 Cor. 3.18 therefore we have a certainty The Spirit of God doth imprint Heavenly Truths upon the heart as with the point of a Diamond A Christian may know infallibly there is an evill in sin a beauty in holiness He may know that he is in the state of Grace 1 Iohn 3.14 We know that we have passed from death to life He may know that he shall go to Heaven 2 Cor. 5.1 We know that if our earthly Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house made without hands eternal in the Heavens The Lord doth not leave his People at uncertainties in matters of Salvation The Apostle comes with his Probatum est in the Text We know we have arrived at a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or holy confidence we have both the Spirit of God and our own experience setting seal to it Let us not rest in Scepticisme but labour to come to a certainty in the things of Religion As that Martyr woman said I cannot dispute for Christ but I can burn for Christ. God knows whether we may not be called forth to be witnesses to his Truth therefore it concerns us to be wel-grounded and confirmed in it If we are doubtful Christians we shall be wavering Christian whence is apostacy but from incredulity * Men first question â—he â—ruth and then fall from the Tâ—uâ—h O beg the â—piâ—it of God not onely to anoint you but to seal you 2 Cor. 1.22 CHAP. II. Containing the grand Proposition 2. I Passe to the second the excellency of the Priviledge All tâ—ings work together for good This is a Iacobs staffe in the hand of faith with which we may walk cheerâ—ully to the Mount of God what will saâ—isfie or give content if this wiâ—l noâ— Aâ—l things work together for good This word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 work together is a Physical expression Several poysonful ingredients put together being tempered by the skill of the Apoâ—hecaâ—y make a Soveraign Medicine and work together for the good of the Patient So all Gods Pâ—ovidences being divinely tempered and sanctified do work together for the best to the Sâ—inâ—s He who loves God and is called according to his purpose may say to his soul Soul take thy â—ase for there is much good laid up for thee every thing in the woâ—lâ— shall be for thy good This is a Christians Cordial which may cause the colour to come in his face and make him like Ionathan who when he had tasted the honey at the end of the roâ— hiâ— eyes were enlightened 1 Sam. 14 27. Why should a Christian exenteraâ—e himself why should â—e kill himself wiâ—h care when all things shall sweetly concuâ—â—e yea conspiâ—e for his gâ—od The result of the â—ex is this Doct. That all the various dealings of God with his Children do by a special Providence turn to their good Psal. 25. â—0 All the paths of the Lord are mercy unto such as keep his Covenant If every path hath mercy in it then it woâ—ks for good 1. What things work for good to the Godly 2. Why all things work for good to the Godly 1. What things are they which work for good to the Elect 1. The best things 2. The worst things CHAP. III. Shewing that the best things work for good to the Godly 1. THe best things work for good to the Godly There aâ—e eight of these 1. Gods Attributâ—s work for good these three in perticular 1. Gods Power works for good It is a glorious power Col. 1.11 and it is engaged for the good of the Elect. Out of this strong comes forth sweetness The Power of God works for good four wayes 1. In supporting us in misery 2. In supplying our wants 3. In subduing our corruptions 4. In conquering our enemies Gods Power works for good 1. In supporting us in misery Deut. 33.27 Vnderneath are the everlasting Arms. What upheld Daniel in the Lyons Den Ionah in the Whales Belly the three Children in the Furnace only the power of God Is it not strange to see a bruised Reed grow and flourish How is a weak Christian able not only to endure â—ffliction but rejoyce in it He is upheld by the Arms of the Almighty 2 Cor. 12.9 My strength is made perfect in weakness 2. In supplying our wants God creates comforts when means â—ail He that brought food to the Prophet Elijah by the unnatural Ravens will bring sustenance to his people God can preserve the Oyl in the Cruse 1 Kings 17.14 The Lord made the Sun on Ahaz's Dial go ten degrees backward So when our outward comforts are declining and it is almost Sun-setting God often causeth a revival and bâ—ings the Sun many degrees backward 3. In subduing our corruptions Mic. 7.19 He will subdue our iniquities The Hebrew word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He will put them under the yoak Is thy sin strong God is powerful he will break the head of this Leviathan Is thy heart hard God will dissolve that stone in Christs blood Iob 23.16 The Almighty maketh my heart soft When we say as Iehoshaphat We have no might against this great Army the Lord goes up with us and helps us to fight our battels he strikes off the heads of those Goliah-lusts which are too strong for us 4. In conquering our enemies He stains the pride and breaks the confidence of adversaries Psal. 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron There is rage in the Enemy malice in the Devil but power in God How easily can he rout all the Forces of the wicked 2 Chron. 14.11 It is nothing for thee Lord to help Gods power is on his Churches side Deut. 33.29 Happy art thou O Israel O people saved by the Lord who is the shield of thy help and the sword of thy excellency 2. The Wisdom of God works for good Gods wisdome is our Oracle to instruct us As he is the Mighty God so the Counsellor Isa. 9.6 We are often times in the dark and in matters intricate and doubtful know not which way to take here God comes in with light Psal. 32.8 I will guide thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with mine eye EYE there is put for Gods wiâ—dome Whence is it the Saints
whence is it that notwithstanding all my unworthiness a fresh Tyde of mercy comes in every day The mercies of God make a sinner proud but a Saint humble 2. The mercies of God have a melting influence upon the soul they dissolve it in love to God Gods Judgments make us fear him his mercies make us love him How was Saul wrought upon by kindnesse David had him at the advantage and might have cut off not only the skirt of his Robe but his head yet he spares his life This kindness melted Sauls heart 1 Sam. 24.16 Is this thy voyce my son David and Saul lift up his voyce and wept Such a melting influence hath Gods mercy it makes the eyes drop with tears of â—ove 3. The mercies of God make the heart â—ruitful When you lay out more cost upon a â—â—eld it bears a better crop A gracious soul honours the Lord with his Substance he doth not do with his mercies as Israel with their Jewels and Ear-Rings make a Golden Calfe but as Solomon did with the money thrown into the Treasury build a Temple for the Lord. The Golden showres of mercy cause fertility 4. The mercies of God make the heart thankful Psal. 116.12 13. Quid retribuam Domino What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me I will take the Cup of salvation David alludes to the people of Israel who at their Peace-Offerings did use to take a Cup in their hands and give thanks to God for Deliverances Every mercy is an Alms of Free Grace and this enlargeth the soul in gâ—atitude A good Christian is not a Grave to bury Gods mercies but a Temple to sing his praise If every Bird in its Kind as Ambrose speaks doth chirp forth thankfulness to its Maker much more will an ingenious Christian whose life is enriched and perfumed with mercy 5. The mercies of God quicken As they are Load-stones to love so Whet-stones to obedience Psal. 119.9 I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the living He that takes a review of his blessings looks upon himself as a person engaged for God he argueâ— from the sweetness of mercy to the swiftnesse of duty he spends and is spent for Christ he dedicates his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to God Among the Romans when one had redeemed another he was ever afterwards to serve him A soul encompassed with mercy is zealously active in Gods service 6. The mercies of God woâ—k compassion to others A Christian is a temporal Saviour he feeds the hungry cloaths the naked visits the Widow and Oâ—phan in their distresse the backs and bellies of the poor aâ—e the surrows where he sows the golden Sâ—eds of his Charity Psal. 112.5 A good man sheweth favour and lendeth Charity dâ—ops from him freely as Myrth from the Tree Thus to the godly the mercies of God woâ—k for good they aâ—e wings to lift them up to Heaven 2. Spiritual mercies woâ—k 〈◊〉 gâ—od The blessed Oâ—dinances 1. The Word Preached works for good it is a savour of life it is verbum cum uâ—ctione it is a soul-transforming Word iâ— assimilates the heart into Christs likeness it is the breeder of Assurance 1 Thes. 1.5 Our Gospel came to you not in word only but in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance It is vehiculum salutis the Charet of Salvation 2. Prayer works for good Prayer is the Bellows of the affections it blows up holy desires and ardouâ—s of soul Prayer hath poweâ— with God Isa. 45.11 Command ye me It is a Key that unlocks the Treasury of God's Bowels Prayer keeps the heart open to God and shut to sin it aâ—â—wageth the intemperate heats and swellings of lust It was Luther's counsel to a friend when he perceived a tentation begin to arise to betake himself to Prayer Prayer is Bombarda Christianorum the Christians Gun which they discharge against their enemies Prayer is the Pancreston the Soveraign Medicine of the soul Prayer sanctifies every mercy 1 Tim. 4.5 it is the dispeller of sorrow by venting the grief it easeth the heart When Hannah had pâ—ayed she went away and was no more sad 1 Sam. 1.18 And iâ— it hath these rare effects then it woâ—ks for good 3. The Lords Supper works for good It is an Emblem of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb Rev. 19.9 and an Earnest of that Communion we shall have with Christ in Glory it is a feast of fat things it gives us bread from Heaven such as doth not only preserve life but prevent death It hath glorious effects in the hearts of the Godly it quickens their Affections strengthens their Graces mortifies theiâ— Corruptions revives their Hopes encreaseth their Joy Luther saith It is as great a work to comfort a dejested soul as to raise the dead to life yet this may and sometimes is done to the souls of the Godly in the blessed Supper The Sacrament hath a peculiar excellency above the Word preached In the Word there is the Breath of God in the Sacrament the Blood of God in the Word we hear his Voyce in the Sacrament we have his kisse The Word proceeds out of Gods mouth the Sacrament out of his sides 4. The Graces of the Spirit work for good Grace is to the soul as light to the eye as health to the body Grace doth to the soul as a vertuous wife doth to her husband Pro. 31.12 She will do him good all the dayes of her life How incompaâ—ably useful are the Graces Faith and Fear go hand in hand Faith keeps the heart cheerful Fear keeps the heart serious Faith keeps the heart from sinking in despair Fear keeps it from floating in presumption all the Graces display themselves in their beauty Hope is the Helmet 1 Thes. 5.8 Meekness the Ornament 1 Pet. 3.4 Love the Bond of perfectness Col. 3.14 The Saints Graces are Weapons to defend them Wings to elevate them Jewels to enrich them Spices to persume them Stars to adorn them Cordials to refresh them And doth not all this work for good The Graces are our Evidences for Heaven is it not good to have our Evidences ready at the hour of death 5. The Creatures of God work for good to the Godly 1. Creatures inanimate Judg. 5.20 The Stars in their course fought against Sisera the Stars as the Host of God gathered in a Battalio and by their influences raising terrible tempests did as it were conspire the ruine of Sisera and his Army 2. Creatures animate The Angels those noble Citizens and Princes of Heaven work for the good of the Saints The good Angels are ready to do all offices of love to the people of God Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Some oâ— the Fathers are of opinion that every Believer hath his â—uâ—elar Angel it needs no hot debate it may suffice that we know the whole Hieraâ—chy
below 't is this that 〈◊〉 the Iâ—gredients and makes up the whole Compound 2. It shews us the happy condition of every Child of God All things work for his good the best and worst things Psal. 112.4 Vnto the upright ariseth light in darknesse The most dark cloudy Providences of God have some Sun-shine in them What a blessed condition is a true Believer in when he dyes he goes to God and while he lives every thing shall do him good affliction is for his good What hurt doth the fire to the gold only purifie it What hurt doth the Fan to the Corn only separate the Chaffe from it What hurt do Leeches to the body only suck out the bad bloud God doth never use his staff but to beat out the dust Affliction doth that which the Word many times will not it opens the ear to Discipline Job 36.10 When God lays men upon their backs then they look up to Heaven Gods smiting his people is like the Musicians striking upon the Viol which makes it put forth a melodious sound How much good comes to the Saints by affliction when they are pounded and broken they send forth their sweetest smell Affliction is a bitter root but it bears sweet fruit Heb. 12.11 It yeeldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousnesse Affliction is the High-way to Heaven though it be Flinty and Thorny yet it is the nearest way Poverty shall starve our sins sicknesse shall make grace more healthfull 2 Cor. 4.16 Reproach shall cause the Spirit of God and of Glory to rest upon us 1 Pet. 4.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 death shall stop the Bottle of Tears and open the Gate of Paradice A Believers dying day is his ascension day to glory Hence it is the Saints have put their afflictions in the Inventory of their riches Heb. 11.26 Themistocles being banished his own Country grew afterwards in favour with the King of Egypt whereupon he said Periissem nisi periissem I had perished if I had not perished So may a Child of God say If I had not been afflicted I had been destroyed if my health and estate had not been lost my soul had been lost 3. See then what an encouragement here is to become Godly All things shall work for good Oh that this may tempt the world to fall in love with Religion Can there be a greater Load-stone to piety Can any thing more prevail with us to be good than this All things shall work for our good Religion is the true Philosophers stone that turns every thing into Gold Take the sowrest part of Religion the suffering part and there is comfort in it God sweetens sufferings with joy he candies our Wormwood with Sugar oh how may this bribe us to Godlinesse Iob 22.21 Acquaint thy self with God and be at peace so good shall come unto thee No man did ever come off a loser by his acquaintance with God thereby good shall come unto thee abundance of good the sweet distillations of Grace the Hidden Manna yea every thing shall work for good Oh then get acquaintance with God espouse his Interest 4. It shews us the miserable condition of wicked men To them that are godly evill things work for good to them that are evill good things work for hurt illis qui oderâ—â—t deum etiam bona cedunt in malum 1. Temporal good things work for hurt to the wicked Riches and Prosperity they are not munera but insidiae as Seneca speaks Worldly things are given to the wicked as Michael was given to David for a snare 1 Sam. 18.21 The Vulture draws sickness from a perfume so do the wicked from the sweet perfume of Prosperity Their mercies are like poysoned bread given to Dogs Their Tables are sumptuously spread but there is a hook under the bait Psal. 69.22 Let their Table become a snare All their enjoyments are like Israels Quails which were sauced with the wrath of God Numb 11.33 Foeâ—us pecuniae funus animae Pâ—ide and Luxury are the Twins of Prosperity Deut. 32.15 Thou art waxen fat then he forsook God Riches are not only the Spiders web unprofitable but the Cockatrice egge pernicious Eccl. 5.13 Riches kept for the hurt of the Owner Et transeunt et vulnerant The câ—mmon mercies wicked men have are not Loadstones to draw them nearer to God but Milstones to sink them deeper in Hell 1 Tim. 6.9 Their dilicious dainties are like Hamans Banquet after all their Lordly fare death will bring in the Reckoning and they must pay the reckoning in Hell 2. Spiritual good things work for hurt to the wicked from the flower of heavenly blessings they suck poyson â— The Ministers of God work for their hurt The same wind that blows one Ship to the Haven blows another Ship upon a Rock The same breath in the Ministry that blows a godly man to Heaven blows a prophane sinner to Hell They who come with the Word of Life in their mouth yet to many are a savour of death Isa. 6.10 Make the heart of this people fat and their ears heavy The Prophet was sent upon a sad Message to preach their Funeral Sermon Wicked men are worse for preaching Amos 5.10 They hate him that rebukes in the Gate Sinners grow more resolved in sin let God say what he will they will do what they list Ier. 44.16 As for the word which thou hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord we will not hearken unto thee The word preached is not healing but hardning And how dreadful is this for men to be sunk to Hell with Sermons 2. Prayer works for their hurt Pro. 8.15 The Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. A wicked man is in a great strait if he prays not he sins if he prays he sins Psal. 109.7 Let his prayer become sin It were a sad Judgment if all the meat a man did eat should turn to ill-humors and breed diseases in the body So it is with a wicked man that Prayer which should do him good works for his hurt he prays against sin and sins against his prayer his Duties are tainted with Atheism fly-blown with Hypocrisie God abhors them 3. The Lords Supper works for their hurt 1 Cor. 10.31 Ye cannot eat of the Lords Table and the Table of Devils Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie Some of the Iews kept their Idol Feasts yet would come to the Lords Table saith the Apostle Do you provoke the Lord to wrath Prophane persons feast with their sins yet will come to feast at the Lords Table This is to provoke God To a sinner there is death in the Cup he eats and drinks his own damnation 1 Cor. 11.29 Thus the Lords Supper works for hurt to impenitent sinners After the Sop the Devil enters 4. Christ himself works for hurt to desperate sinners he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence 1 Pet. 2.7 He
is so accidentally and occasionally through the pravity of mens hearts instead of believing in him they are offended at him The Sun though in its own nature is pure and pleasant yet it is hurtful to sore eyes Jesus Christ is as well for the fall as the rising of many Luk. 2.34 Sinners stumble at a Saviour and pluck Death from the Tree of Life As Chymical Oyles recover some Patients but destroy others So the Bloud of Christ though to some it is medicinable to others it is damnable Here is the unparallel'd misery of such as live and dye in sin The best things work for their hurt Cordials themselves kill 5. See here the wisdom of God who can make the worst things imaginable turn to the good of the Saints he can by a divine Chymistâ—ie extract Gold out of dross 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God! Rom. 11.33 It is Gods great design to set forth the wonder of his wisdom The Lord made Iosephs prison a step to preferment There was no way for Ionah to be saved but by being swallowed up God suffered the Egyptians to hate Israel Psal. 106.41 and this was the means of their deliverance St Paul was bound with a Chain and that Chain which did bind him was a means to enlarge the Gospel Phil. 1.12 This wise Physitian can of the Viper make a Treacle God doth enrich by impoverishing he causeth the augmention of Grace by the diminution of an Estate When the Creature goes further from us it is that Christ may come nearer to us God works strangely he brings Order out of Confusion Harmony out of Discord he makes use many times of unjust men to do that which is just He is wise in heart Job 10.4 He can reap his Glory out of mens fury Psal. 76.10 Either the wicked shall not do the hurt which they intend or they shall do the good which they do not intend God often helps when there is least hope and saves his people in that way which they think he will destroy He made use of the High-Priests malice and Iudas his Treason to redeem the World God hath sometimes much adoe to please us through indiscrete passion we are apt to find fault with things that fall out which is as if an illiterate man should censure Philosophy or a blind man find fault with the work in a Landskip Iob 11.12 Vain man would be wise Silly animals will be taxing Providence and calling the wisdom of God to the Barr of Reason Gods wayes are past finding out Rom. 11.33 They are rather to be admired than fathomed There is never a Providence of God but hath either a mercy or a wonder in it How stupendious and infinite is that wisdom that makes the most crosse perplex dispensations work for the good of his children 6. How little cause have we then to be discontented at outward tryals and emergencies What discontented at that which shall do us good All things shall work for good There are no sins Gods people are more subject to than unbelief and impatience they are ready either to faint through unbelief or fret through impatience When men fly out against God by discontent and impatience it is a sign they do not believe this Text. Discontent is an ungrateful sin because we have more mercies than afflictions and it is an irrational sin because afflictions work for good Discontent is a sin which puts us upon sin Psal. 37 8. Freâ— not thy self to do evil He that frets will be ready to do evil Fretting Ionah was sinning Ionah Chap. 4.9 The Devil blows the coals of passion and discontent and then warms himself at the fire Oh let us not nourish this angry Viper in our Breast Let this Text breed patience All things shall work for good to them that love God Shall we be discontented at that which works for our good If a friend should throw a bag of money at another and in throwing it should break his head he would not be troubled much seeing by this means he hath got a bag of money So the Lord may bruise us by afflictions but it is to enrich us these afflictions work for us a weight of glory and shall we be discontented 7. See here that Scripture fulfilled Psal. 73.1 God is good to Israel When one looks upon cross Providences and sees the Lord covering his people with ashes and making them drunk with Wormwood Lam. 3.15 he would be ready to call in question the Love of God and to say that he hath dealt hardly with his people Oh no yet God is good to Israel because he makes all things work for good Is not he a good God who turns all to good he works out sin and works in grace is not this good 1 Cor. 11.32 We are chastned of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world The Hell of affliction is to save us from the Hell of damnation Let us always justifie God when our outward condition is never so bad let us say yet God is good 8. See what cause the Saints have to be frequent in the work of thanksgiving Christians are herein defective though they are much in supplication yet little in gratulation The Apostle saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In every thing giving thanks 1 Thess. 5.18 Why so because God makes every thing work for our good We will thank the Physitian though he gives us a biter Pill which makes us sick because it is to make us well we will thank any man that doth us a good turn and shall not we be thankful to God who makes every think work for good to us God loves a thankful Christian. Iob thanked God when he took all away Iob 1.21 The Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord Many will thank God when he gives Iob thanks him when he takes away because he knew God would work good out of it We read of Saints with Harps in their hands Rev. 14.2 an Emblem of praise We shall meet many Christians who have tears in their eyes and complaints in their mouths but few with Harps in their hands who in affliction praise God to be thankful in affliction is a work peculiar to a Saint Every Bird can sing in Spring but some Birds will sing in the dead of Winter Every one almost can be thankful in prosperity but a true Saint can be thankful in adversity A good Christian will blesse God not only at the Sun-rising but at the Sun-setting Well may we in the worst that befals us have a Psalm of thankfulnesse because all things work for good Oh be much in blessing of God we will thank him that doth beâ—riend us 9. If the worst things work for good to a Believer what shall the best things Christ and Heaven How much more shall these work for good If the Crosse hath so much good in it what hath the Crown If such precious Clusters grow in
waters cannot quench love Neither the sweet waters of pleasure nor the bitter waters of persecution love to God abides firm to the death Ephes. 3.17 Being rooted and grounded in love Eight things as Chaffe and Feathers are quickly blown away but a tree that is rooted abides the storm he that is rooted in love endures True love never ends but with the life 5. The Degrees of love We must love God above all other objects Psal. 73.25 There is nothing on earth I desire in comparison of thee God is the quintessence of all good things he is superlatively good now the soul seeing a super-eminency in God and admiring in him that constellation of all excellencies is carried out in love to him in the highest degree The measure of our love to God saith Bernard must be 〈◊〉 love him without measure God who is the chief of our happinesse must have the chief of our affections Cant. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of my spiced Wine of the juice of my Pomgranate If the Spouse hath any love better than oâ—her a Cup more juicy and spiced Christ shall drink of that The creature may have the Milk of our love but God must have the Cream Love to God must be above all other things as the Oyl â—wims above the Water 1. We must love God more than Relations As in case of Abraham's offering up Isaac Isaac being the son of his old age no question he loved him entirely and doated on him but when God saith Abraham offer up thy son though it were a thing might seem not only to pose his Reason but his Faith for the Messiah was to come of Isaac and if he be cut off where shall the world have a Mediator yet such was the strength of Abraham's faith and the ardency of his love to God that he will take the sacrificing Knife and let out Isaac's blood Our blessed Saviour tells us of hating Father and Mother Luk. 14.26 Christ would not have us unnatural but if our dearest Relations lye in our way and would hinder us from Christ either we must step over them or tread upon them Deut. 33.9 Though some few drops of love may run beside to our Kindred and Alliance yet the full torrent must run out after Christ Relations may lye in the bosome but Christ must lye in the heart 2. We must love God more than Estate Heb. 10.34 Ye took joyfully the spoyling of your goods They were glad they had any thing to lose for Christ. If the world be laid in one Sâ—ale and Christ in the other he must weigh hâ—aviest And is iâ— thus Hath God the highest room in our affections Plutarch saith When a Dictator was created in Rome all other Authority was for the time suspended So when the love of God bears sway in the heart all other love is suspended and is as nothing in comparison of this love CHAP. VIII Containing a sharp Corrective to those that do not love God Vse 1. THis may serve for a sharp Reprehension to such as have not a dram of love to God in their hearts And are there such Miscreants alive He who loves not God aut lapis est aut belluae he is a Beast with a mans head Oh wretch Dost thou live upon God every day yet not love him If one had a friend that fed him continually with money and gave him all his allowance were not he worse than a Barbarian that did not respect and honour that friend Such a friend is God he gives thee thy breath he bestows a livelihood upon thee and wilt thou not love him Thou wilt love thy Prince if he saves thy life and wilt thou not love God who gives thee thy life What Load-stone so powerful to draw love as the blessed Deity He is blind whom beauty doth not tempt he is sottish who is not drawn with the Cords of love When the body is cold and hath no heat in it it is a sign of death That man is dead who hath no heat of love in his soul to God How can he expect love from God who shews no love to him Will God ever lay such a Viper in his bosome as spits forth the poyson of malice and enmity against him This Reproof falls heavy upon the Atheists of this Age who are so far from loving God that they do all they can to spight him They declare their sin as Sodom Isa. 3.9 They set their mouth against the Heavens in pride and blasphemy and bid open defiance to God These are Monsters in Nature Devils in the shape of men Let them read their doom 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Iesus Christ let him be Anathema Maran-athâ—â— that is let him be accursed from God till Christs coming to Judgment let him be heir to a curse while he lives and at the dreadful day of the Lord let him hear that heart-rending sentence pronounced against him Go thou cursed CHAP. IX Discovering the Signs or Fruits of love to God Vse 2. LEt us try our selves impartially whether we are in the number of those that love God For the deciding of this our love will be best seen by the Fruits of it I shall lay down fourteen Signs or Fruits of love to God and it concerns us nearly to search whether any of these Fruits grow in our Garden 1. The first Fruit of love is musing of the mind upon God He who is in love his thoughts are still upon the Object He who loves God is ravished and transported with the Contemplations of God Psal. 139.17 When I awake I am still with thee The thoughts are as travellers in the mind Davids thoughts kept Heaven-Road I am still with thee God is the Treasure and where the Treasure is there is the heart By this we may try our love to God What are our thoughts most upon Can we say we are ravished with delight when we think on God Have our thoughts got wings are they fled aloft Do we contemplate Christ and Glory Oh how far are they from being lovers of God who scarce ever think of God Psal. 10.4 God is not in all his thoughts A sinner crowds God out of his thoughts he never thinks of God unless with horror as the Prisoner thinks of the Judge 2. The Second Fruit of love is desire of Communion Love desires familiarity and intercourse Psal. 84.2 My heart and flesh cryeth out for the living God King David being debarred the House of God where was the Tabernacle the visible token of his presence he now breaths after God and in an holy Pathos of desire cryes out for the living God Lovers would be parlying together If we love God we prize his Ordinances because there we meet with God He speaks to us in his Word and we speak to him in Prayer By this let us examine our love to God Do we desire intimacy of communion with God Lovers