therefore merit dispraise Qu. 111. How must Christians love their neighbours and brethren Answ 1. Not better then the Lord Matth. 10.37 for they who love father or mother son or daughter better then God are not worthy of him 2. Not better then themselves it is observed in the nature of the Brocardor Hart that whereas it is the nature of the vulgar Harts to lurk in ditches at the hearing of the hounds this beast never seeketh any such place to hide or cover himself but runs still in the sight of the dogs to draw the hunters and hounds from the other Dear in covert whereupon the dogs leave the other which hid themselves and seek not for them having the Brocardor in sight and chase and so the hunters being passed by the lurking Harts return back being safe from the danger of nets and dogs whilst the poor Brocardâ— are hunted and chased to death We are not bound thus to love our brother or neighbour that is of set purpose to expose our selves to death for the preservation of a private neighbors life 3. We must love them as brethren 1 Pet. 3.8 And 4. We must love them in the Spirit Col. 1.8 5. We must love them sincerely and in truth Rom. 12.9 2 Cor. 8.8 2 Joh. 1.3 Joh. 1. 6. We must love them as Christ loved us Joh. 13.34.15.12 Eph. 5.2 1 Ioh. 3.11 16. 7. We must not love them inconstantly 2 Sam. 13.4 15. Iob 19.19 But 8. We must love them daily more and more 1 Thes 4.10 And 9. We must love them as we love our selves Lev. 19 18 34. Gal. 5.14 Iam. 2 18 Iohn Gonsalve Bishop of Tarracon and one of the Inquisitors of Sivil when any were brought before him for the profession of the â—ospel would say that it was wonderfull to observe how these Heretiques had this Commandment engraven in their hearts Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self because they would for no threats or torments accuse or discover one another Qâ— 112. How or wherein is our true love and charity towards our brethren to be expressed and shewn Ans 1. By labouring to build them up and to instruct them in the most holy Faith Lev. 19.17 Acts 18.26 1 Thes 5.14 Hebrews 3.13.4 24. Jude â— 2. By praying for them Psal 122.6 Rom. 10.1 Eph 6.18 2 Thes 3.1 Hebr. 13.18 3. By administring to their necessities according to the uttermost of our abilities Rom. 12.20 Gal. 6.10 4. By preserving them in what we can from all manner of damage in their estates Exod. 23.5 6. 5. By being kindly affectioned towards them in our hearts Rom. 12.10 6. By performing offices of love one unto another Gal. 5.13 7. By speaking friendly unto them 8. By forbearing one another Eph 4.2 9. By Christian Love feasts Jude 12. Qu. 113. What are the properties nature and qualities of love and charity Ans 1. It covers a multitude of sins Prov. 10.12 1 Pet. 4 8. 2. It edifieth 1 Cor. 8.1 3. It suffereth long 1 Cor. 13.1 4 It is kind 1 Cor. 13.4 5. It envieth not 1 Cor. 13.4 6. It vaunteth not it self 1 Cor. 13.4 7. It never faileth 1 Cor. 13.8 8. It is the effect of faith 1 Joh. 3.18 19. 9. It is fervent Cant. 8.7 1 Pet. 4.8 10. It endureth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 11. It hopeth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 12. It believeth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 13. It works no ill to its neighbor Rom. 13.10 14. It beareth all things 1 Cor. 13.7 15. It is not puft up 1 Cor. 13.4 16. It doth not behave it self unseemly 1 Cor. 13.5 17. It seeketh not her own 1 Cor. 13.5 18. It thinketh no evil 1 Cor. 13.5 19. It is not easily provoked 1 Cor. 13.5 20. It rejoyceth not in iniquity but in the truth 1 Cor. 13.6 Qu. 114. What are the excellencies of love and charity towards our brethren Ans The excellencies thereof appear in these and the like particulars 1. That all things are nothing without Love and châ—rity Cant. 8.7 1 Cor. 13.1 2 3. 2. That poverty with love is better then riches without it Prov. 15.17 3. That it is a Theological virtue 2 Tim. 3.10 2 Pet. 1.7 Jude 2. 2 Joh. 3. 4. That it is one of the three most excellent Theological graces 1 Cor. 13.13 5. That it is a greater grace then either faith or hope because it shall abide when they shall cease 1 Cor. 13.13 6. That it is the bond of perfectness Col. 3.14 7. That it is a brest-plate to defend us 1 Thes 5.8 8. That it is a testimony of our election Rom. 8.14 Heb. 6.11 2 Pet. 1.10 9. That it is a sure sign of eternal life 1 Ioh. 3.14 10. That it casts out all fear 1 Ioh. 4.28 11. That it is the Law of Christ Ioh. 13.15 33 34. Gal. 6.2 12. That it is the exercise of the faithful 1 Cor. 16.14 Gal. 5.6 Eph. 5.2 13. That it is an argument of faith 2 Cor. 9.13 Whence I. Faith is said to work by love Gal. 5.6 And II. Faith and love are joyned together 1 Tim. 2.15 14. That it is the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 15. That it is the sum scope and end of the Law Rom. 13.8 Gal. 5.14 1 Tim. 1 5. 16. That it is the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 13.8.10 For the understanding of this place observe that the Apostle therein doth not speak of the perfect or imperfect obedience of the Law but Love is commended as the sum of the Law which is to be understood of perfect and compleat charity which is contained in all parts and precepts of the Law as appears by Rom. 13.9 Now it will not follow as the Papists would have it in any good consequence That because perfect love is commanded in the whole Law therefore it is performed perfectly by the Saints for as our knowledge is in part so is our charity we can love no further then we know Qu. 115. How then is love the fulfilling of the Law Ans Love is said to be the fulfilling of the Law three manner of ways 1. Reductive because we fulfil all the commandments of God for the love of God And 2. Effective because he who loveth the Lord is ready to obey him And 3. Formaliter because all our actions should be referred to Gods glory 1 Cor. 10.31 Qu. 116. What Order may we observe in our love unto our brethren Ans 1. If other circumstances agree and be answerable then we may love our kindred more then strangers in those things which belong unto this outward life and amongst our kindred we may love those most who are nearest akin unto us 2. We may love some special intimate and approved friend more then a common kinsman especially in those things which belong unto the common office of this life Prov. 8.24 3. We must love our parents more then any friend because the conjunction oâ— Parents is nearer then of friends in regard of the communication of those good
Spes ad mâ—jora audenda sese erigit Greg. in Job 4. l. 5. c. 29. and 4. Hope upholds in all labours troubles adversities and disasters Spes commodi furatur labores metum ab condâ—t Periculi Ambros in Psal 12. An Italian suffering many cross adventures and troubles painted in his study a Pinnace or small Bark tossed with tempestuous storms and in the sail was written Expectanda dâ—es meaning that he hoped for one Sun-shine day to recompence all his glowry and winter moneths Hippolito Cardinal de Medicâ— to the same purpose figured the Moon in the Eclipse which happeneth by reason of the interposition of the earth between the Sun and it with this Motto Hinc al quando eluctabor Thus Lewes of Luxemberg a French Captain coming to the wars in Italy had for his Impress A Sun Or in a field Azure invironed with thick clouds with this Mot Obstantia nubila solvet to infer that he having endured divers adversities after the beheading of his father the high Constable of â—râ—nce hoped notwithstanding by his valour and vertue that even as the Sun with his scalding beams dissolves the clouds so he hoped to vanquish all who were averse to his shining vertues Maximian an Italian Earl being enamoured with a Lady named Anna Moronna who afterward was his wife had for his Impresâ— a Silkworm which onely liveth with the leaves of the Mulberry-tree which tree in Lombardy is called Moronnna with this Mot Quol di cio vivo Onely of thâ—â— I live disdaining other food to shew that as that little beast doth onely live of those leaves so he onely contented himself to feed on the leaves of his love in hope one day to enjoy the fruit of legitimate marriage 5. Hope doth not onely uphold in labour but comforts in misery hence Bernard calls it the god of the wretched The evenings hope may comfort the mornings misery The apprehension of hope derideth grief and fulness of hope consumeth it Hope of all passions is the sweetest and most pleasant whence it is said that hope onely comforteth the miserable Qu. 10. How many sorts of men are there in regard of Hope Answ 1. I might answer three for I. Some hope for that which they may hope for II. Some hope for that which they should hope for III. Some hope for that which they should not hope for Or An. 2. I may answer four for I. Some men neither hope in God nor fear him these neither regard his wrath nor his mercy II. Some fear but hope not these regard his wrath but not his mercy Iâ—I Some hope but fear not these regard his mercy but not his wrath IV. Some hope and fear these regard both his mercy and his wrath Qu. 11. Who is the Hope of the Elect An. 1. God Psal 71.5 Jer. 14.8.17.13 Joel 3.16 2. Christ 1 Tim. 1.1 Qu. 12. In whom or what may we hope An. 1. In the Lord Job 5.16 Psalm 31.24.38.15 As a son in all his necessities and straits trusteth unto and dependeth upon his father especially if he be great and rich that he will help him and not suffer him to want nor permit him to suffer so should we hope in the Lord and depend upon our heavenly father who is abundantly able and most affectionately willing to relieve help save and succour us 2. We may hope in the word of the Lord Psal 119.74.147 and 3. In the judgements of the Lord Psalm 119.43 Qu. 13. Whence comes our Hope in God An. 1. From God Psalm 22.9 Rom. 15.13 â— Thess 2 16. and 2. From spiritual experience Rom. 5.4 3. From the consolation of the Word Rom. 15.4 Qu 14. Why must we hope in the Lord Answ 1. Because the eyes of the Lord are upon those that hope in him Psal 33.18 2. Because sometimes the Lord proportions his mercy towards us according to our hope in him Psalm 33.22 3. Because the Lord will hear those who hope in him Psalm 38.15 4. Because hope is a soveraign antidote against spiritual dejection Psalm 42.5 11. 5. Because such are happy as hope in him Psalm 146.5 Jer. 17.7 and 6. Because the Lord taketh pleasure in such Psalm 147.11 7. Because he is our Portion Lam 3.24 8. Because we are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 Qu. 15. How doth Hope respect God Answ 1. Divine hope respects God as the object which is expected for God himself is the principal object of hope 1 Pet. 1.21 the less principal objects are all those things whereby as by degrees and means we come unto God 1 Pet. 1.13 Hence God himself is called The hope of Israel Jer. 14.8 and Rom. 15.3 the God of hope not so much because he is the Author and giver of hope as because it is he in whom we hope 2. Hope respects God as the Author and giver of every good thing which it expects Psal 37.5 6. Jer. 17.7 Qu. 16. Who must hope in the Lord Answ 1. The people of the Lord Psal 130.7.131.3 2. The particular servants of the Lord Jerem. 17.17 Qu. 17. What is the duty of those who hope in the Lord Answ 1. To be of good courage when they are in any want distress or danger Psalm 31.24 2. To wait patiently for that which they hope for Rom 8.25 3. To rejoyce in their hope Rom. 12 12. 4. To remember that their hope is not for temporal things or the things of this life but for eternal after this life and therefore the want of temporal things must not shake their hope 1 Cor. 15.19 5. To purge themselves even as Christ is pure 1 John 3.3 6. To continue in their hope unto the end Col. 1.23 Heb. 3.6.6.11 1 Pet. 1.13 Qu 18. VVhen hath the righteous hope Answ 1. In this life Psalm 71.5 Joel 3.16 and therefore while there is life there is hope A Rhodian being cast into a cave by a Tyrant and fed there after the manner of a wilde beast some of his friends perswaded him to abstain from eating that so he might dye to whom he answered Dum spiro spero I will hope while I have life Thus though we in our journey unto Canaan through the Straits meet with many cross winds and storms yet we must labour skilfully to steer and keep on our course by the Cape of good hope till we arrive at the haven of eternal happiness 2. The righteous have hope in their death Prov. 14.32 Qu. 19. VVhen must we hope in the Lord Answ 1. When we are in any misery or distress as was shewed before And 2. When humane help fails De divina miseratione tunc sperandum amplius est cum Praesidia humana defecerint Ambros in Hexam Qu. 20. VVho can have no hope in God or Christ Answ 1. Not those who go down into the pit Isa 38.18 Nor 2. Those who are without Christ Ephes 2.12 Nor 3. Those who are strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel Ephes 2.12 Nor 4. Those who are aliens from the Covenant
though unworthy of his love Malac. 1.2 3. Titus 3.4 Qu. 55. Whereunto may Gods love towards us be compared Answ 1. To the rod of Moses for as this turned into a Serpent before Pharaoh devoured all the Magicians rods turned into serpents so the assurance that God loves us doth beget such a love in us unto him that it devoureth the love of all worldly things Bern. ser de Ascens And 2. To light for as the visible light of the morning when day is plainly broke is the Hench-man of the Suns brightness so the beneâ—its of God daily received are heralds of his divine Love And 3. To the love of Hens to their Chickens as Matth. 23 37. And 4. To the love of Parents to their children or to the care of fathers and the pity of mother Omnis in Ascanio chari stat cura parentis Virg. As the Father loveth his child so God his creature Qu. 56. Whom doth the Lord love Answ 1. Those whom men and the world contemn and despise There is a Countrey in Asia called Mysia who were so despised of all their neighbours that they were as a by-word unto them for so often as a man would denote a thing of no estimation they would proverbially say Vltimum esse Mysiorum they are worse then the Mysians as we see in Cicero's Oration for Flaccus and yet Paul the Apostle and Iohn the Evangelist preached the doctrine and light of the Gospel to this poor and despised people so that these Mysians who were such a despicable people unto others were more highly esteemed of â—od who out of his love to them converted many of them by the preaching of John and Paul and some think that Paul alludes to these Mysians when he saith 1 Cor. 1.26 Not many wise according to the flesh not many mighty not many noble but God hath chosen the foolish things of this world that they might confound the wise Answ 2. The Lord loves the poor and strangers Psalm 146.9 Answ 3. The Lord loves the fatherless and widows Psalm 58.5 6.140 9. Answ 4. The Lord loves a chearful giver 2 Cor. 9 7. Answ 5. The Lord loves the seed of the righteous 2 Sam. 12 24. Answ 6. The Lord loves his people whom he hath chosen and amongst or by whom his name is called upon Note here wherein the love of God towards his people doth appear First in remembring his promises towards them Nehem. 1.8 9 11. Secondly in his mindfulness of them Psalm 115.9 12 13. Thirdly by his taking vengeance of all their enemies Deut. 32.35 36 43. Fourthly by his taking notice of all their troubles and afflictions and his care to succour them Exod. 2.25 Judges 15.19 Psalm 25.15.40.17 Fifthly by his separating them unto himself or gathering them unto him as Lev. 24. Ezek. 36.24 29 30. Sixthly by his delight in them Isa 58.14 Seventhly by his curbing restraining and withholding of their enemies from harming of them This he doth three manner of ways I. Sometimes by forbiding them to speak any evil unto them or to harm them as Genes 31.24.29 II. Sometimes by striking a terrour in them and making them afraid of his people Genes 35.5 III. Sometimes by revealing his judgements from heaven against their enemies as he did upon Pharaoh and others Exod. â— 8 9 10. Chapters 14.27 Deut. 32 43. Answ 7. The Lord loves his Church The picture of Diana was framed with that art that if those who were without the Temple looked upon her she seemed to frown upon them but upon those who were within she smiled so the Lord loves and smiles upon those who are within the Church but frowns upon those who are without Isa 61.10 11. Note here that the Lords love unto his Church appears three manners of ways viz. 1. By his beautifying and adorning of her as a Bride with jewels i. e. divine and spiritual graces and vertues Isa 61.11 And II. By his subduing Nations unto her or by causing them to flock and submit unto her Isa 60.4 6 7. And III. By making righteousness grow and Religion flourish in her Isa 61.11 Answ 8. The Lord loves his elect and faithful children John 13.1 that is both his eldest son by creation and the children of that son First the Lord loved the first man Adam or the first of his children who were meer men expressing and shewing his love to him in or by these things I. By creating of him in his own image Genes 1.26 27. II. By blessing of him Gen. 1.28 III. By giving him dominion over the creatures Gen. 1.26 28. IV. By providing food for him Gen. 1.29 30.2.9 16. V. By appointing Paradise for him to dwell in and placing him there Gen 28 15. VI. By making unto him an Helper meet for him Gen. 2.18.23 VII By forbiding him to meddle with that which was evil or by forewarning him of what was evil Gen. 2.17 VIII By enduing him with admirable and eminent knowledge Gen. 2.19 20. IX By preparing garments for them after the fall Gen. 3 21. Secondly the Lord expresseth his love unto his children who sprung from the loyns oâ— the first man Adam Two things are here to be taken notice of viz. I. Who they are whom the Lord loves II. How or wherein he expresseth his love unto these I. Note who they are whom the Lord loves 1. Righteous men Psalm 146.8 2. Good men At pauci quos aequus amavit Jupiter aut ardens evexit ad aethera virtus Virg. The Lord being just loves not many but onely those who are good And 3. Those who love him Vespasian commanded a liberal reward should be given to a woman who came unto him and professed she was in love with him His Steward demanding what â—â—em he should put to it in his accounts He answered teâ— to ber who loved Vespasian so much Thus God gives much and forgives much as a token of his love to those who love him Amor currit per desâ—â—erium quiescit per gâ—uâ— um all things and so love amongst others loves vicissitude 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bred it saith Plato and the same seed it heats and cools are the best diet for it In love there must be a desire of enjoying a delight in enjoying and a sorrow for lack of enjoying and those who are thus affected to God he will love 4. The Lord loves those who obey him in love Luther said God loves â—urristas not Quaeristas runners nor reasoners and it is not possible for us to be prompt and diligent in obeying except we love II. Note wherein the love of God appears unto these his faithful ones 1. In his covering and hiding of their iniquities Numb 23.21 Jeâ— 31.34 and 2 In making them instrumental for the preservation of others Gen. 45.5 3. â—n his presence with them in their labours and prospering whatsoever they do Gen. 39.23 4. In his giving of them favour in the eyes of strangers or those under whose charge and
custody they are Gen. 39 21. 5. In his care to deliver and save them from and out of all evils Isa 63.9 Gen. 15.5 6 7. Psalm 37.39 6 In his raising up â—hrist to be a Shepherd unto them â—z k â—4 â—3 26 27 2â— 7. In his revealing of his will unto them Gen. 18.18 8. By his subduing of all their enemies Apoc. 3.9 9. By defending them against their enemies Isa 43.4.48.14 10. By giving them wise and prudent Princes 2 Chron. 2.11 9.8 11. By taking the wrongs done unto them as done unto himself Zach. 28. 12. By giving them favour in the eyes of their enemies Isa 66.12 13. By extending his own favour unto them Isa 44 3. Hosea 11.4 14. By his delight in them Numb 14 8. 15. By dignifying of them with the title of sons 1 John 3.1 16. By his sending his son into the world for them or by giving Christ unto them 1 John 4.8 9 10. Rom. 5.6 c. O Lord what is man that thou so regardest him Mittis unigenitum tuum immittis Spiritum tuum promittis vultum tuum Bern. in Cantie So God loved the world as he gave his onely begotten Son the Son sends the Spirit and the Spirit teacheth truth Qu. 57. Why doth the Lord thus love his children and people Answ 1. Because they are his people Nehem. 1.8 9.11 and 2. For his promise sake Nehem. 1.8 9 11. Qu. 58. Wherefore doth the Lord love or express his love to some people more then others Answ 1. Not for their multitude and greatness Deut 7.7 Nor 2. For their merit or goodness Hosea 14.4 Rom. 9 13. but 3. For his own Name and mercy sake Deut. 7.8 and 4. For his promise sake unto his servants Deut. 7.8.10.15 Qu. 59. What is the Nature of Gods love and loving-kindness unto his people and children Answ 1. It is an acceptable love unto them and more welcome then the former and latter rain unto the earth Hos 6.3 yea then the morning dew Hos 14.5 2. His loving-kindnesses towards them are many Psalm 25.6 Isa 63.7 3. His love towards them is good Psalm 6.9.16 And 4. It is towards them perpetual and everlasting Psalm 42.8.89.33 Isa 54.8 10. Jer. 31.3 or it hath been of old Psalm 25.6 or it is an eternal and immutable love Numb 23.20 John 13.1 5. It is a free love Hosea 14.4 5. Rom. 9.13 6. It is marvellous Psalm 17.7 Ephes 2.7 Tit. 3.4 7. It is extraordinary excellent Psalm 36.7 8. It is a perfect love he loving them as he loves his onely begotten Son John 17.23 9. It is better then life Psalm 63.3 10. It is an immense profound and infinite love Ephes 3 18 19. or It is a great love Joel 2.13 Jonah 4.2 Ephes 2.4 i. e. I. It is greater then the love of a friend to his friend for he gave his Son to dye for us out of his love unto us John 3.16 II. It is greater then the love of a mother towards her child Isa 49.14 15.66.13 III. It is like the love of a husband to his wise Isa 54.4 5. Qu. â—0 What are the Degrees of Gods love towards his children Answ These five I. He decreed before all times to save them II. In the fulness of time he gave Christ to be a Saviour unto them III. In his appointed time he justifies them reconciles them unto himself and pardons their sins before he reveals it unto them or assures them thereof IV. He then gives them a glimpse of his love when from or by the signs manifested in the Gospel they perceive that they are regenerated Then V. He gives them an open and clear vision 2 Cor. 3.18 that is he immediately speaks unto their hearts by an internal revelation his Spirit witnessing unto their spirits that he loves them as sons in Christ and will love them unto the end Qu. 61. What consolation may the faithful reap from Gods love towards them Answ 1. They may be comforted with this that none can curse them Numb 23.8 2. They need neither fear want nor enemies nor dangers Gen. 26.24 Iosh 10.8.8.1 10. Deut. 1.21 3. They may know to their comfort that they are blessed whom the Lord loves Psalm 145.5 7 9. And 4. That God will encrease his graces in them Psalm 115.12 14. â—nd 5. That he will give the earth unto them and prosper them Psalm 115.12.16 And 6. That he will heal their sins and backslidings Psalm 1â—3 2 3. Hosea 14.4 5. This Question may be much enlarged from Quest 56. Qu. 62. What means must we use if we desire that God may love or shew kindness either to us or ours Answ 1. We must pray unto God to do so Gen. 24.12 14. Psalm 119.76 2. We must labour to be of the number of his servants and children and not of the world Ioh 17. 3. We must pray unto him to enflame our hearts with his love 2 Thess 3 5. 4. We must be obedient to his law and commandments Deut. 7.12 13.11.1.13 Qu. 63. What may we learn from the Lords love and loving kindness towards his people or children An. 1. That it is a great judgement to have it taken away from us Jer. 16.5 2. That it cannot be made known in the grave Psalm 88.11 3. That it is shewed unto thousands Jerem. 32.18 4. That the mercies and graces we receive from God are not bestowed upon us for any merit of ours but for his own loving-kindness sake Psalm 119.88.149.159 Jer. 31 3. Hos 2.19 Amat Deus non aliunde hoc habet sed ipse est unde amet ideo vehementius amat quia non amorem tam habet quam hoc est ipse August Qu. 64. What is required of us in regard of Gods love and loving kindness towards us Answ 1. To love the brethren 1 Iohn 4.8 2. To love strangers Deut. 10.18 19. 3. To cast our care upon God 1 Pet. 5.7 4. To praise him and set forth his glory Deut. 26.5 10. 2 Sam. 1.27 28. Ruth 4.14 Psalm 13.4 13.22.24.115.12 18.103.1 4.138 5. To follow him Numb 14.24 Joshua 14.6 14. 6. To seek to know him and his love unto us and that with joy Deut. 12.7 Hos 6.2 3. Ephes 3 8. 7. To admire his love Isa 5.18 Rom. 5.6 7 8 11.33 8. To obey and serve him Gen. 12.1 2. Exod. 23.26 Iosh 24.2 4. 9 To hear him Deut. 15.5.6 10. To rejoyce in the Lord who thus loveth us Pâ—alm 5.12 11. To trust in him for his love and depend upon him Psalm 36 7.61.4 5.115 â— 12. 12. We must labour and pray for true wisdom that we may understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psalm 107.43.143.8 13. We must not conceal but make known unto others the Lords loving-kindness towards us Psalm 40.10.48.9.92.2 Isa 63.7 14. We must pray unto God to continue it both to us ours and all his Psalm 25.6.36.10 51.1 89 49.119.88.149 159. 15. We must always remember it and ruminate of it Psalm 26.3 16 We
must take heed that we lose not the love of God as the birds Ibes lose their sweetness when they lose their sight so we lose all peace and happ ness when we lose the sense and apprehension of Gods love towards us in Christ The Lizard hath this peculiar property that he is never in love which all other beasts are subject unto whereupon S. Fedâ—rico Duke of Manto made him this Impress The Lizard figured with this Motto Quod huic deest me torquet thus it should be the anguish of our souls to lack the assurance of Gods love it being a misery herein to be like the Lizard without this love Qu. 65. How may we know whether the Lord love us or not Answ 1. We cannot know it by any outward thing Eccles 9.1 2. We may ghess at his love by his correcting of us Prov. 3.12 Heb 12.6 3. If we be righteous in our lives and conversations and obedient to his commandments we may then be assured that he loves us Deu. 7.12 13.11.1 13. Psalm 146.8 4. If we be the members of Christ by faith and regeneration then we may be assured that the Lord will love us Iohn 17. This question may be abundantly amplified from Qustion 56. and 64. Qu. 66. Wherein or how doth the love of Christ express and shew itself toward his Church or children Answ 1. By that impression which they make upon his heart they being there deeply engraven Cant. 8.16 2. By his desire unto or towards them Cant. 7.10 3. By his dying for them Gal. 2.20 Ephes 5.25 1 Iohn 3.16 4. By his washing of them clean by his blood Apoc. 1.5 Qu. 67. What is the Nature of Christs love towards hâ—s Answ 1. It is a perfect love John 15.9 2. It is a love which passeth knowledge Ephes 3.19 3. It it an unparallelled love Rom. 5.6 7 8. 4. It is an eternal love John 13.1 Qu. 68. What is here required of us in regard of Christ and 〈◊〉 love towards us An. 1. To continue in his love John 15.9 2. To remember his love Cantic 1.4 and 3. To be obedient unto him for it Iohn 15.10 4. Not to love our lives in regard of him Apâ—c 2.11 Qu. â—9 By what means may we be assured that we shall continue in Christs love Answ 1. If we keep his Commandments Iohn 15.10 If my diligent and observing Reader admire at my brevity concernâ—ng Christs love towards us or his let him know that the reason hereof is because I shall fully God willing handle it when I come to treat of God the Son which will be a little â—olio by it self Qu. 70. What is predicated in the Word of our love unto God Answ 1. That it is the sum of the law it being taken for our whole obedience as being the cause of our obedience Mat. 22.40 2. That it is the first Commandment it being the spring and fountain of the rest Matth. 22.38 3. That it is the greatest commandment Mat. 22.38 Qu. 71. VVhat is the love of God Answ It is a vertue whereby we love God as the chiefest good Psalm 106.1.118.2.136.1 or to love God is to acknowledge him to be the chiefest good in himself and so to us and so to love him that we will rather forgo all things then part with him or not be joyned unto him Qu. 72. VVho must love the Lord Answ 1. In general all are commanded to love him Exod. 20. 2. More particularly all the Saints ought to love him Psalm 31.23 Qu. 73. How many ways do the children of God love God Answ Three manner of ways I. Secundum actum actually and always and thus the glorified Saints in Heaven Love God II. Secundum studium in regard of their endeavours because their care desire and study is to love the Lord. And this is the greatest perfection of love the children of God can attain unto in this life III. Secundum habitum in regard of the habit of love and thus although many of the children of God fall into some great sins yet they lose not the habit of the love of God but may be said even then habitually to love him Qu. 74. VVhy must we love the Lord An. 1. In regard of himself viz. I. Because he requires this at our hands Deut. 10.12.11.1 13. II. Because he loved us first 1 Iohn 4.10 III. Because he sent his Son into the world to reconcile us unto himself 1 Iohn 4.10 IV. Because he is our rock and fortress Psal 18.1 Answ 2. In regard of our selves because a threefold benefit will redound unto us thereby whereof The first is Temporal for if we love him I. He will preserve us Psalm 31.23 and II. He will deliver us Psalm 91.14 and III. He will fight for us against our enemies Josh 23.10 11. The second is Spiritual for if we love him I. â—e will hear our prayers when we call upon or unto him Psalm 116.1 Iâ— He will know and take notice of us 1 Cor. 8.3 Iâ—I He will be merciful unto us and keep covenant with us Exod. 20.6 Deut. 5.10.7.9 Nehem. 1.5 Psalm 119.132 Dan. 9.4 IV. He will give us a place in his Church Psal 69 36. The Third is Eternal for if we love him I. He will cloth us with glory â—udges 5.31 II. He will give a crown of life unto us Cor. 2.9 〈◊〉 1.2.2.5 Qu. 75. How must we love God Answ 1. Above all friends Amandus est generator sed praeponendus Creator Aug. we must love all but God above all but God above all Ordo charitatis est ama post Deum patrom Hier. Loves method is first love God then our kindred and if the case happen that there be a difference between them and God then Odium in suos pietas in Deum est hatred to kindred is piety to God 2. We must love God above all things It was an ancient custom among the Romans that the things they most entirely loved they offered up to their gods nature teaching them that nothing should be too dear for God but that he should be preferred and loved more then and above all 3. We must love the Lord for himself The Ploughman loves his Ox for his profit and the enemy a traytor for commodity but God must be loved for himself Alexander would say That He hestion loved Alexander and Craterus loved the King Plutar. And some Christians love Jesus others love Christ there are many of the first rank who desire to rule and reign in heaven with Christ few of the second who desire that Christ may rule and bear sway in their hearts Vix dâ—ligitur Iesus propter Iesum August Jesus is scarce loved for his own sake There is a Spanish Pâ—overb Love without end hath no end meaning that if it were begun not upon particular ends it would last 4. We must love the Lord in sincerity Ephes 6.24 Religion is no vizard for impiety God must not be served in hypocrisie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato But