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
overcame their evill with goodnesse and followed on his entertaiment and wooing of them till he acquainted them with his fathers words and love and united them to himself in faith and love Isa 42.2.8 Ioh. 17.6.7.8 And though happily some even brethren might through their weaknesse murmur at the receite of such prodigals and black-mores to advance them to such nighnesse with himself as the elder brother at the youngers entertainment with his father Aaron Eminam at Moses marrying an Ethiopian and the believing jewes at such familiarity with believing Gentiles Luk. 15.28 Numb 12.1.2 Act. 11.2.3 Yet he disdained them not nor was ashamed of them but as one that saw and would not see their deformity heredily and kindly entertained them and set his love upon them and spake comfortably to their harts Oh love endeed never to be forgotten Isa 42.19.20.21 Psal 113.6.7.8 VII In that he hath accepted their faith and love and prayers and returned them some discernable experiments of his goodnesse in suports in troubles some deliverances out of temptationes graunts of many requests some accesse and approach to himself some roome in his house and in the harts of his with many refreshings in his courts and some hope of future happinesse All fruites of love Rom. 3.26 and 5.2.5 and 7.24.25 Psal 16.2 and 92.12 Isa 56.5.7 VIII In that they have his word for it even written also for their consolation that they may know that he loves and is not ashamed to be knowne to love them Prov. 8.17 Ioh. 14.21.23 IX Yea they have had some hints and evidences of the Holy Spirit given into their hart of his love to them and the Spirit is truth and the comforter 1. Ioh. 3.24 and 4.19 and 5.5.6 Rom. 8.15.16 X. By all the former they come to see him to be their great high priest interceading in heaven for them Heb. 7. and 9. So that it is many wayes evident he loves them and they knowing and believing his love in redeeming them with his owne bloud when they were his enimies and receiving them and washing them when they were in their bloud and such Ethiopians affording them so many favoures and some vissits of his Spirit since as from all these they have discerned such love of his as hath caused them to believe in him and love him so having attained to believe in him and love him they cannot deny but they know that he hath loved them and that he loves them much yea so as if they do not close their eyes by some fleshly reasonings and suffer themselves to be withdrawne from the remembrance of his love thus manifested it will draw them into admiration and acknowledgement of this his love and inflame them with more love to him and desires after him and frame them to be like him in loving their brother and hee also will returne manifestationes of more love to them of which will be spoken in the next observation Cant. 1.2.3.4 and 2.3.5.1 Ioh. 4.16.19 Ioh. 14.21.23 And this being a sure and undeniable truth that Iesus Christ hath thus verily and manifestly loved those that believe in him and love him yea through his love manifested did make them believers in him and lovers of him yea so as they might have the knowledge of his love to them and their love thereby inflamed to him I. Informeth us That such as do unfeynedly believe in Iesus Christ and love him they have an inward principle of life and love with in them that as it was begotten so it is quickened sed and moved by a fountaine of life and love in Christ to them 2. Cor. 3.3 Coll. 3.10.11 Psal 16.7.8 Hose 14.5.8 Ioh. 15.1.2.5.2 Cor. 5.14.15.17 Psal 36.8.9 Which is ready to mind them of Christ and his love and so to move guide and leade them as to deny all fleshly lusts and services so to all services of love to and for Christ Ezek. 36.26 Ier. 31.34 Rom. 8.14 Gall. 5.17.22 Tit. 2.11.12 c. Yea and this also upon all occasiones that in their way are offered to them as on the sight and veiw of mortall men to remember the love of God to mankind whom he created and for whom provided a saviour Act. 17.26 Tit. 3.4 Heb. 2.14 And the low estate that Iesus Christ abased himself unto for our sakes in becoming man subject to humane infirmities Phil. 2.6.7.8 And how he died for and gave himself a ransome for all men Heb. 2.9 1. Tim. 2.6 And on sight of the evills and follies committed by men to remember the shame and ignominy that Christ tooke on him in being made sin for us and the curse he suffered being numbred with transgressors and put to death on the tree for us 2. Cor. 5.19.21 Gall. 3.13 1. Pet. 2.24 And the propitiation that hee by his bloud hath made for our sins and the sins of the whole world 2. Cor. 5.14 1. Ioh. 2.2 And the great misery and wickednesse the worldlieth in because they do not know believe and come into Christ for this grace Ionas 2.8 Ioh. 3.18.36 1. Ioh. 5.19 And the great love of God to themselves that were even such in bringing them out of such darknesse disobedience and misery and acquainting them with and making them partakers of so great grace 1. Pet. 2.9.10 Tit. 3.3.4.5 And giving them such hope to hold forth to those that are yet in darknesse and in no worse case then themselves were once in yea having shewed them mercy for that end 1. Tim. 1.12.15.16.17 and 2.1.6 And in sight of believers and the grace appearing through them to remember the faithfulnesse of God in performing his promise of bringing into Christ Isa 55.4.5 and 53.11 And the faithfulnesse of Christ in sending forth Spirit through the Gospell Mat. 28.20 Ioh. 16.7.8.15 And the vertue of his bloud by his Spirit applied too and sprinckled on the consciences of men Heb. 9.14 and 12 24. 1 Pet. 1.2 3 21 22. And the relationes union and fellowship they are brought into and the hope given them through Christ Eph. 4.4 7 12 16 and 2 17 22. And still are they more minded of all these things as they experiment the fraily of humane nature the opposition of flessily lusts or the opperation of grace in themselves 2 Cor. 4.7 13. Gall. 5 17. 1 Ioh. 1.7 9 and 2.1 2. And stil are they more minded of these things in reading and hearing the things of Christ set forth in the Gospell 2 Pet. 1 12 and 3 1 2. And as this inward principle of life and love doth leade and apt them by all these meanes to such minding of these things so in the minding of them it self is opperative and springs forth in motiones of love joye peace confidence goodnesse and desires to confesse and to pray to God and to praise him to mourne for and pitty and compassionate men to rejoyce for receive and edify brethren to shew mercy and walk in truth and righteousnesse and blamelessely towards all Eph. 4.20
of continuing in his love First For the things to be enquired into that wee may know them the first is what were the Fathers commandments concerning Jesus Christ and in the scripture they appeare to bee these two commandments I. That he should save all men by giving himself a ransome and offering up himself a sacrifice for them to make propitiation for their sins so as to make them saveable and to open the door for a speciall and eternal saluation for al those that submit to him and believe on him 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. Heb. 10.7 And this command encludes in it his taking the nature of mankind subject to humane infirmities Rom. 6.3 His being made under the law for them that were under the law Gall. 4.4.5 His bearing the sins of the world Ioh. 1.29 2 Cor. 5.19 His dying the death for every man 2 Cor. 5.14 Heb. 2.9 His rising againe acquit of all the sins imputed to him and a victorer over all the curse and death imposed on him and over all the enemies he conflicted with 1 Cor. 15.4 1 Pet. 3.22 And so by the eternall Spirit offering himself with out spot to God sealing the new Testament with his precious bloud and with the vertue thereof entred the holy of holies to make reconciliation for the sins of the people and appeares in heaven before God for them Heb. 9.11.12.14 15 16 17 23.24 All this is in the first commandment II. That he should bring all men to the knowledge of the truth and so enlighten and convince them that the Lord may dwell among them and how ever that they may be brought to acknowledge Jesus the Lord to the glory of God 1 Tim. 2.4.6 Rom. 14.9.11.12 And more especially such as are in the day of grace submitted to the acknowledgment of the truth to guide them into all truth and to unite and conforme them to himself making them meete for and in due season partakers of the inheritance with himself Ioh. 16.13 14 15. Isa 55.4 5 2 Cor. 3.3 18. Coll. 1.12.13 1 Pet. 2.3.9 And this commandment containes in it His declaration of the Gospell His communication of Spirit His enliving the dead His opening the eyes of the blind and the eares of the deaf his bringing the prisoners out of prison his comforting cloathing and bewtifying them with grace and glory Isa 61.1.2 3. Luk. 4.18 21. Isa 42.1 8 and 49 6 9. And that these two commandments the one to work and accomplish in himself as the publick person in the roome and place a perfect salvation for mankind with God by giving himself a ransome for them and so purchasing them into his owne dispose as their Lord and so making them saveable Rom. 14.9.10.11.12 The other to offer the knowledge and tenders of this grace to them that they may come to the knowledge of the truth Ioh. 1.9 And that such as are submitted to the acknowledgment of the truth in the day of grace and abide therein hee to confer upon them and work in them eternall saluation Ioh. 8.31.36 That these bee the commandments of the Father concerning Jesus Christ our Lord is evident I. By the expresse and plaine affirmation of the scriptures speaking of the mind and will of God concerning the Man Jesus Christ the mediator betweene God and men what God willeth concerning him that he would have done by him It saith of the first God will have all men to be saved And of the second And come to the knowledge of the truth And speaking of the answerable performance by Christ it saith of the first hee gave himself a ransome for all and of the second a testimony or to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2.4.5.6 Both which are expresly said in other places also to bee his will to be done by Christ and which he came and undertooke to doc and having sinished the one part that respecteth the one commandment and beene performing and stil is performing the other part of his wil which respecteth the other commandment Psal 40.7 8 9 10 Heb. 10.7 9 10 12 15 16. Isa 61.1.2.3 II. By the plaine testimony and confession of Jesus Christ himself who as he was abased and died for our sins and rose for our justification and so offered himself as the ransome to God and became the propitiation for the sins of the world so he comprehendeth his humilation death and resurrection under the first part of the will of his Father and calleth it his commandment saying I have powre to lay downe my life and I have powre to take it again this commandment have I received of my Father Ioh. 10.18 And of this part of Gods will its most probable he spake Ioh. 6.38.39 I came down from heaven not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent mee and this is the Fathers will which hath sent mee that of all that he hath given mee I should loose none but should raise it up againe at the last day Agreeable to that is said els-where As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.22 Agreeable to that which he after saith The bread which I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world Ioh. 6.51 And this to be heere-ment appeares I. In that this said Vers 38.39 Is made the ground of his faithfulnesse and powre for that he said before Vers 37. and after Vers 40. II. In that the phrase is altered Heere is said hath given as intimating to purchase but in Vers 37. It is said giveth as intimating by the heavenly call III. And in that the other part of his will is exprest as distinct and in other tearmes Vers 40. And to manifest his love and obedience to his Father in this command in laying downe his life and offering himself as the sacrifice for the sin of the world Ioh. 1.29 That the world might know it when he was in the house where those that sought to apprehend him could not have come to take him he said that the world may know that I love the Father and as the Father gave mee commandment even so I doe arise let us go hence Joh. 14.31 And thus have wee the first commandment given to Christ set forth by his owne testimony And for the other commandements hee saith expresly This is the will of him that sent mee that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last daye Ioh. 6.40 intimating To glory for all shall rise and speaking of the Gospel and the ministration thereof through which he sendeth forth Spirit to enlighten and convince and to bring the convinced to believe and the believer to partake of eternall life in which respect the Gospell is a light and a judge Ioh. 12.46 47 48 49.50 He said I have not spoken of my selfe but the Father which sent mee hee gave mee a commandement what I should say
well-pleasednesse was with him his delight was in him his presence with him and his purpose of glorifying him firme unmoveable and inseparable yea even when the shines and appearances of his love and delightfull fellowship were withdrawne and hidden from him and he for our sakes so far left as to feele the punishment of our sins which he suffered yet even then did the Father love him yea and also therefore love him Heb. 29. Phill. 2.6 7 9 10. Ioh. 16.32 end 10.17 And in his ministration of the Gospell and communication of Spirit and all the opperationes thereof in the harts of his people the Father is well-pleased with him and as he hath accepted his sacrifice and ransome for the sons of men so he accepteth all his Spirituall offerings and opperationes in the harts of believers acquainting them with and drawing and presenting them before his Father Isa 42.1.2.8 Psal 20.3 Ioh. 17.1 8 and 5 19 37. In all loving him II. In keeping these his Fathers commandments hee himself tooke delight in and was well-pleased in and with his Fathers love not desiring other loves favour riches pomp or Kingdome nor being troubled for being deprived of them or any of them having all his satisfying and content in the love and well-pleasednesse of his Father alwayes being well-pleased with him Ioh. 4.32 34 and 5 43 44 and 10.30 Psal 40.8 Ioh. 14.31 and 16 32. III. In all trials that befell him on earth in keeping these commandments this his Fathers love and well-pleasednesse with him and his delight and satisfying therein found had its perfect working with him carrying him through all labours and sufferings so as he neither drew back from any part of the first command Heb. 12.2 Isa 50.5.6.7 Nor did nor will faile in the other command to fulfill all righteousnesse Isa 42.1.2.8 IV. In all this his so keeping these commands through all he met on earth he retained the beliefe and held fast the confidence he had in his Fathers love with assurance of being upheld and in due season to see the travell of his soul and to be glorified with the glory he had with his Father before the world was Isa 50.5 6 7 and 53 8 11. Ioh. 17.1.2.3 And now being glorified at his Fathers right hand remaineth there Advocating for and sending forth Spirit to his people waiting till all his enemies be made his footstoole when he will take his great powre and raigne being the well-beloved of his Father Psal 110. 1 Ioh. 2.1.2 Eph. 4.7.12 Rev. 11.17 Thus hath Iesus Christ kept these his Fathers great commandments and abode in his love which might be of much use to us I. To informe us of the great love of Christ to us that hath undertaken and performed these so great needfull and fit commands to be done by him for us and of the great love of God in the gift of his son to fulfill such commandments for us and so loving and accepting him in the keeping of them Gall. 2.20 1 Ioh. 4.9 10 and 3 16. Rom. 8.32 and 5 6 11. 2 Cor. 3.18 and 4.6 And of the full and perfect saluation that is to be found in Jesus Christ that great saluation hee hath wrought in his owne body for men and that healthfull and eternall saluation which by his Spirit applying the former hee worketh in those that believe on him and love him 1 Ioh. 4.14 1 Pet. 2.24 Heb. 5.8 9 and 7 24 25. II. To exort us to looke to him and to that hee hath done and that which apertaines to him to doe to believe both and to accept and receive the one and to depend one and submit to him for and in the other Isa 42.1.8 and 45.22.23 and 55.1.6 Rom. 4.24 25. and 5.1.6 11. and 6. to the end And soc to love him and it love to receive and highly prize this his direction and promise to follow and walke in the one and to depend one and wayte for the other And so wee come to the third thing in this point which is that heer also affirmed by our Saviour that As he hath kept his Fathers commands and abode in his love so if wee keepe his commandements wee shal abide in his love In which are contained two things clearly set forth Viz. FIrst A sweet and healthfull direction how to continue in his love namely I. In keeping his commandments II. In keeping them as hee kept his Fathers commandements Secondly A comfortable promise that so keeping his commands they shall abide in his love First the healthfull direction hath three things in it to be opened and understood for our better use-fulnesse I. The commands of Jesus Christ to believers heere-ment what they are II. The keeping of them of which hee heere speaketh what that is III. The manner of keeping as he kept his Fathers commands what that is I. For the first of these to know rightly what the commandements of Jesus Christ to believers heere-ment are livers things may be considered Consider I. That there bee commandements of divorts sorts mencioned in the Scripture as to instance the chiefe of them There are I. Such commands as by the grace of creation by Christ and by the grace of redemption wrought in and by Christ in his own body and the common frultes thereof all men are bound with all their powers and in and by that strength that at any time hath beene given into their naturall powres by God to perform to the utmost in performance of which if noe fayling bee found they shall have life but the least fayling therein if but once in any part of any one command doth alwayes leave a man in and of himself under sinne and death the wages thereof and by these commandements are all men found under the guilt of sinne and under the powre of curse and death even al those that sight against and run crosse to these commands al those also who doe their utmost to make themselves righteous in and by the keeping of them Rom. 2.12.14 and 3.10 20. and 6.23 and 10.5 Gall. 3.10 Ieb 9.22 30 33. And the trespasses which these commandments doe charge mankind withall and which through the fall they were necessitated to commit and left without devine powre to help themselves were all laid on Jesus Christ who mas manifested to take them away and to make propitiation for the sins of the world Isa 53.2 6. 2 Cor. 5.19.21 1 Ioh. 3 4 5. and 2.2 Ioh. 1.29 And under this law of commandments was Jesus Christ made for those that were under it Gall. 4.4 And hee himselfe and hee only did altogether and alwayes fulfille it so as it could charge him with no sinne of his own commission but only with our sins against it in that hee was made under that law for us so as al his whole suffering and sacrifice was for us 1 Pet. 2.22.24 and 3 18. 2 Cor. 5.21 And to this law hath he perfectly satisfied in respect of himselfe in fulfiling it
also an unfeyned love of our brother 2 Cor. 5.14 1 Ioh. 4.21 1 Pet. 1.22 From both which commands writ in the hart aptly springs up all contained in the particular precepts of the Gospell as is before shewne Ioh. 4.13 and 7 38 39. And walking in this faith and love in minding the precepts and veiw of the opportunities the motiones to go according to the mind of Christ will aptly spring up so as one may go one serving in newnesse of Spirit and not in oldnesse of letter Pro. 6.20 21 22 23. Ioh. 3.16 17. Rom. 12.2 and 7 6 25 and 8 1 2. So that from this whole consideration that the commands of Christ to his disciples are such commands as are contained and expressed in the Gospell and put with the Gospell by Christ into the hart of the believer and do naturally and aptly spring up in the believe of the Gospell it appeares that believing in Iesus Christ and loving our brother are the commands of Christ heere ment Consider III. The commandments of Ghrist to his disciples are such as are suitable to the commendements himselfe hath performed for them Pro. 3.1.13 Heb. 3.8.9 1 Cor. 6.20 Now hee in fulfilling the commandements hee received of the Father for us having taken away our sinnes and dyed our death and soe purchased us and wrought salvation for us and by his Gospell and Spirit sent forth having made knowne this salvation to us and in aplying it evidenced himselfe to bee our righteousnesse and life and ready and able eternally to save us 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Ioh. 3.5 Heb. 5.9 Suitable heerto it is that wee abhoring our sinnes and denying our selves our wisedome righteousnesse strength with all that is ours and all fleshly delights and considences to accept of him for all and so to believe in trust too and depend on him for all grace righteousnesse life and safety 1 Cor. 1.30 31. Phil. 3.3.4.7 8 9.10 1 Pet. 1.13.14 Gall 1.20 And hee having so loved us suitable it is that wee should so love one another 1 Ioh. 3.16 Eph. 5.2 So that in this consideration it also apeares That believing in Iesus Christ and loving our Brother are the commandments of Christ heere ment Consider IV. The commandements of Christ to his disciples are such commandements as he hath given into their harts and cannot nor are otherwise required to bee kept then as they are in the hart whence believers confesse that they have received the command from him 1 Ioh. 4.21 And hee is said to write them in their harts Heb. 8.10 And the commandement is true in him and in them 1 Ioh. 2.8 The law without was engraven in tables of stone and writ in leaves but the Epistle of Christ is writ by his Spirit in the hart 2 Cor. 3.3.7 The law without leaves under sinno and death but Christs law within affords life 2 Cor. 3.6.7.8 9 10. Whence Christ saith hee that hath my command ments and keepeth them hee it is that loveth mee Ioh. 14.21 In which consideration it apeareth that faith and love Which all Christs disciples have Coll. 1 4. and are to keepe and walke in Heb. 3.14 Are the commandments heere ment And yet that this may bee moore evident some proofes heerof may be considered Proofe I. These two commandements of faith and love as they are contained in the Gospell and spring from the Gospel believed so they contayne the whole summe of the patterne or forme of healthfull and sound words which the Gospel requireth of us 2 Tim. 1.14 And of all that which the Gospell believed springeth up in the hart 1 Ioh. 5.13 Ioh. 20.31 1 Ioh. 3.1.3 and 4 19 21. Whence the commandment is called the word of the Gospell it selfe believed 1 Ioh. 2 7. And the Gospell is called the commandment which in hart believed that which is said before of Christ his keeping his Fathers commandements is by believers found true in him and that which is said in consideration the second of faith and love springing up in the hart the believers find true in them because the darknesse is past and the true light now shineth 1 Ioh. 2.8 And so in respect of the Gospell put in the hart it is called the old command and that which was at first heard and received from Christ and which quickeneth and in respect of its Spirituall entrance receipte and abiding and the faith and love springing up therefrom it is called the new commandement being allwayes greene and flourishing so that the believer may thereby bring out of the good treasurie of his hart things new and old Mat. 13.52 Which according to all the considerationes proveth faith and love to bee the commandements heere ment Proofe II. These two commandements of faith and love are the commendements which God giveth unto and putteth in the hart of his children Ier. 31.33 Phill. 2.29 Eph. 2.8.10 They are the commandements of God the Father when he calleth and uniteth men to his son Jesus Christ causing them to beliefe on the name of his son Jesus Christ and to love one another as his son hath given commandement 1 Ioh. 3.23 and 4 21. And they are the commandements expresly given by Iesus Christ to all his disciples when he makes knowne his Father to them to believe on him for eternall life Ioh. 12.36 and 14 1. And to love one an other as hee hath loved us Ioh. 13.34 and 15 12. And these are also the very commandements which the Holy Ghost putteth into the harts of believers 1 Pet. 1.21.22 1 Ioh. 3.21.24 So that these two commandements of faïth and love are evident to be the commandements heere ment Proofe III. All labouring to attaine and fulfill in performance any or all other particular preceipts of law or Gospell which flowes not from and is not acted through this believing in the name of Iesus and love of the brethren whatsoever endeavours and services they bee and how and to what end soever otherwise done whether To please God and get boldnesse with him or to get therethrough the righteousnesse of God and so Christ and faith in him and love to brethren or to assure themselves by such attainments and observances of a peculiar interest in Christ even all whatsoever so done to comfort themselves therewith all of it I say as the scripture shewes I. It is but a serving of God according to the oldnesse of the letter and so leaves the doores thereof under sin and curse and the feare of both Rom. 7.6 25 and 8 2 7. Gall. 3.10 Tit. 1.9.10.15 Ioh. 3.5.6 II. The doers thereof do therein and thereby deprive themselves of and hold themselves out from enjoyment of Christ and unfeyned faith in him and love of brethren Rom. 9 32. and 10.3.4.1 Sam. 2 9. Zach. 4.6 Psal 107.11.12 Ecclez 15.16 and 16.15 III. They deceive themselves and are deceived in all that which by such observances and ataynments they judge themselves by to bee in Christ and to have peculiar interest in
portion wisedome rightcousnesse sanctisication redemption treasure riches Psal 16.5 1 Cor. 1.30 To have him for their Father and captaine to acquaint them with the misteries of God to fight their battels answer their enemies subdue their lusts tread downe Satan under their feet Isa 55 4 and 42 1 8. Mich. 7 18. Rom. 16 20. To sanctify them throughout and preserve them to his Kingdome 1 Thes 5 24. 1 Pet. 1 4 5. To be blessed with all Spirituall blessings and compleate in him Eph. 1.3 Coll. 2.9 To have him loving them as the Father hath loved him and so estating them in all his owne things so as they who because of the excellencie of his loving kindnesse do put their trust under the shadow of his wings shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of his house and he wil make them drink of the river of his pleasures and fill them with fulnesse of joy in his presence and pleasures at his right hand for evermore Psal 36 7 8 and 16 11. So that wee may well say of them happy art thou Oh Israel who is like unto thee Oh people saved by the Lord the shield of thy help and who is the sword of thine excellencie and thy enemies shall be found lyars unto thee and thou shalt dwell in safety alone Deut. 33.29.28 Psal 31.20 Mich. 7.9.10 Vse II This may also be a motive to presse forward and alure all men to looke to Iesus Christ and come in and submit to him in repenting and forsaking their sins with all their former delights and hopes and believing the Gospell in its report of the great love of God in giving his son to die for their sins and rise for their Iustification and suffering this tidings to prevaile to the breaking of their harts in sight of and sorrow for their sins against so gracious a God and so loving a saviour and for which the Lord Iesus suffered so much and to cause them to renounce reliance on any wisedome strength righteousnesse or works of their owne endavourings seeing nothing lesse then the bloud-shading of Iesus Christ could make peace for them nor any thing but the Spirituall application of that bloud can effect peace in them Mar. 1.15 Act. 2.37 Zach. 12 10. Phill. 3 3 4 7 8. Gall. 2 21. 1 Pet. 1.2 Therefore to looke and submit to Iesus Christ and to waite for Spirit and teaching from him and not to rest but be attending the Gospell and yeelding to all the Gospell requires till he by his Spirit applying the vertue of his death and resurrection to them do overcome them to believe and so effect peace and newnesse in their hart Isa 42 1 8 and 45 21 23. Ioh. 8.30 31 36. Tit. 3.4.5 And the rather and the more are they to be vehement for this and presse heertoo because in the attainement of this so great and peculiar love is to be met with all Ioh. 1.12 and 3 16. and 7 37.39 Therefore whatever thou bee that hast not yet attained let the hearsay of this great and peculiar love to such as believe in him and love him now prevaile with thee and perswade thee to open thy eare and attend with thy hart to the Gospell and suffer it to prevaile with thee to bring thee to repentance and faith in Iesus Christ and to the love of him Oh consider Metives I. Iesus Christ hath loved thee his compassiones have been great towards thee he gave himself a ransome for thee and died a grievous and ignominions death for thy sins and rose for thy justification and is become thy Lord to whom thou owest thy self thy life and all that thou hast and hee hath powre to absolve thee and powre to judge and condemne thee and yet waites for thee and stands ready to send forth Spirit to thee to make knowne his grace in thy hart and bring thee into him 1 Tim. 2 6. Heb. 2.9 Rom. 14.9.10 11 12. 1 Cor. 6.20 Psal 68.18 And shall not all this goodnesse melt and breake thy hart in pieces for thy sins for which his bloud was shead and for thy long enstrangment from and oft rebelliones against him that hath so loved thee and died for thee and to renounce reliance on thy owne wisedome righteousnesse and strength to fall downe before him and turne to him and seeke for life and Spirit from him and the rather seeing he might justly condemne thee and yet in his so great love and compassion still calleth thee saying seeke mee and live Oh turne thee horne thee that iniquity may not be thy destruction Ezek. 33.11 and 18 30 31. Isa 55 6.7 Pro. 8.31.35 II. If thou obey this his heavenly call soe as thou be overcome thereby to deny thy self and renounce thy owne former lusts hopes and to believe his love and goodnes soe as thou depend on him for life love him thou shalt not only receive remission of sins and a new hart with peace therein accesse in grace which yet is better then all the things of this world Rom. 4.23.25 5.1.2 Act. 10.43 Psal 32.1.2 But thou shalt therewith also partake of the same peculiar love of Iesus Christ in which himself is beloved and shal not this alure move thee to seeke him Ioh. 7.37.38.39 14.21.23 III. And the more to move encourage thee to this repentance and faith in him he hath caused this his speciall love that he beareth to those that believe on him and love him to be written and spoken off That thou mayest know what love thou shalt partake off in believing in him and loving him Ioh. 20.31 Rom. 15.4 Ioh. 1.7 5.34 1. Ioh. 1.3 And for a paterne and farther encouragement to thee he hath all ready communicated of his speciall love to such as before they believed were as great sinners and as far off as thou to encourage thee to repent and believe that thou mightest partake of the same love also 1 Tim. 1.15 16. And will not this prevaile with thee IV. And to remove all stumble because thou caust not come to Iesus Christ unlesse God by his Spirit draw thee this also he hath declared that at one time or other he will be tendering to thee yea and it s not to be doubted when by his servants hee is teaching the Gospell to thee Pro. 8.31.32.35 Ioh. 1.4 5 9. Mat. 28.20 But thy imbessellity ought rather to stir thee up to pray him to draw thee then to stumble and discourage thee from turning in to him Cant. 1.4 And I pray thee answer in thy hart this question the Gospel having been preached to thee hast thou not at one time or other felt or discerned some spiritual motiones abont the death of Christ for sinners hinted into thy hart with suck light as hath given thee to see much sinfulnesse and miserie in thy self and much mercy and hope in Christ and this with such force as it hath strooke at thy hart and stirred and moved with