A TREATISE OF LOVE Written by IOHN ROGERS Minister of Gods Word in Dedham in Essex God is Loue and he that dwelleth in Loue dwelleth in God and God in him 1 Iohn 4. 16. This is the message that yee heard from the beginning that ye loue one another 1 Iohn 3. 11. And this Commandement haue we of him that he that loueth God should loue his Brother also 1 Iohn 4 21. LONDON Printed by H. Lownes and R. Young for N. Newbery at the signe of the Starre in Popes head Alley 1629. TO MY LOVING Neighbours of Dedham LOuing and good Neighbours the doctrine of Faith being gone forth into the World I thought it not amisse that the Daughter should attend vpon her Mother and therefore to put forth a Treatise of Loue to follow after Faith as they were both handled in your hearing not very many yeares since Now I desire that these things may liue and speake vnto you when I shall be taken from you In which two if you shall profit you cannot but doe well God shal be much honoured and I shall haue my great desire Now this of Loue I dedicate vnto you that as you haue learned in some measure to loue one another so that you doe it still and encrease more and more I found you by the care diligence of my worthy Predecessor in a peaceable state Thus through Gods mercy haue you continued without rents or diuisions sidings or part taking in peace and vnitie these three and twenty yeares of my abode with you wherein both the head and bodie of the Congregation looking one way much ill hath bin hindred and much good done and mainetained And I hope so to leaue you yea my hearts desire is that you may liue in peace and godly loue when I am gone that as you haue done so you may draw altogether as one man So shall nothing be too hard for you nor no force of wickednesse bee able to preuaile against you As a bound Fagot cannot be broken though the band loosed and sticks shattred asunder becomes weake As few or no suits of Law haue bin found amongst you but differences either betweene your selues agreed or by indifferent Neighbours compounded so doe still in the name of God And as I haue euer found you forward in good sort to any deed of Charity wherin you haue bin moued besides the good prouision made for your own poor so I beseech you to continue that you may shew forth the fruit of the Ministry of the Word so long so long continued among you and other townes seeing your well-doing and good order may be prouoked by your example and so God may haue much honour by you and hee take pleasure to dwell among you and be the God of your Posteritie after you from one generation to another Which I beseech him to grant for his mercies and his Christ his sake And you that be young now which God be thanked giue good hope if God let you liue to stand vp in your Predecessours roomes see that you labour to quit your selues as well as they haue done and better will be required as hauing more light euery day their example to make vse of In which hope I take my leaue and commend you all heartily to the grace of God remaining till death Yours in what seruice of Loue I can IOHN ROGERS A TREATISE OF LOVE CHAP. I. HAuing finished the Doctrine of Faith let me adde a few things concerning Loue which were deliuered from the same Text 1 Iohn 3. 23. in my ordinary course one after another This is the commandement of God that wee beleeue in the Name of his Sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another Which seeing the holy Ghost hath ioyned together as two necessary inseparable companions and that the duety of Loue is of so necessary vse in the course of our liues I thought good to adde some things hereof to the former Treatise The holy Ghost hauing had occasion in Verse 22. of that Chapter to speak of the keepers of Gods commandements who are the parties whose prayers God will heare now in this Verse lest any should doubt and aske the question But what be those commandements he therefore names them and orings them all to these two heads Faith in Iesus Christ and Loue to our brethren and these he exhorts vnto to beleeue in Christ Iesus and to loue one another Now in that the Apostle hath reduced to two heads all the commandements of God and our dueties he hath mercifully prouided for our weaknesse and preuented those carnall excuses whereby most men cloake their ignorance and carelesse neglect of heauenly things Oh they be so dull to conceiue and the Scriptures so darke and they haue such ill memories and the Scripture so large as they can make no worke of them which is Adam-like to turne the fault from themselues vpon God As if they should say If God had giuen vs shorter and plainer Scripture and better wits and memories wee would haue done great matters But this is but the wickednesse and falshood of their hearts for they can finde wit and memory enough for the world their profits pleasures or lusts and what they haue a minde to and why should they not serue them for better things if they would bend themselues thereto And God hath mercifully left vs so much of his Word as is necessary to saluation cleare and plaine to euery humble teachable heart that seekes helpe of God by prayer and is willing to be ruled thereby Yea hee hath gathered the whole into short summes As the whole Law and will of God so large and scattered in the Scriptures is referred to ten words Deut. 10. 4. which are the ten commandements deliuered by God Exod. 20. and these ten referred to two Matth. 22. 40. and these two to one Galat. 5. 14. So our whole direction concerning Prayer is in that short plat-forme called the Lords-prayer So hath the Church of God since out of the Apostles writings gathered all the things we are to beleeue vnto eternall life into twelue Articles So hath God prouided in this lightsome and in that respect blessed age of ours abundance of good Books of the points and principles of our Religion some more large some more briefe Catechismes for euery bodies turne that euen the dullest and of worst memory may come to the knowledge of God themselues and their dueties and the things of saluation if they bee not shamefully carelesse So that the ignorance of the people of this Land which yet is fearfully grosse and more than any thinke for but they that try it is affected and wilfull and therefore their condemnation will be as more fearfull than of other Nations so most iust and inexcusable It 's lamentable to see how the precious time is spent with many in sinfull courses and exercises with most in eager pursuit of the world the profits honours and pleasures thereof as if they were the
necessary things and end of our being here when the meanes of the knowledge of God and the things that concerne our owne happinesse lye wofully neglected Hath God after the long night of superstition ignorance and idolatry that our Fore-fathers lay vnder caused the day to arise the sun of Righteousnesse to shine so long vpon vs and shall wee yet loue darknesse and not light be ignorant and grope at noone day Hath God set vs vp with those precious meanes of grace and life and giuen vs our full scope in them when he hath denied them to Nations twenty times as great as our selues and shall we make sleight of them Oh how many vnder the tyrannie of Antichrist that would skip at the crummes that fall from our tables would aduenture their liues for the scraps and leauings of such things as we cast vnder our feet They would and cannot we may and will not may we not iustly feare lest God ere long snatch his Word from vs and bestow it vpon them that will make better vse of it The Lord awaken the people of this Land to know the day of their Visitation and to vnderstand the things that belong to their peace before the decree come forth and it be too late Get knowledge and vnderstanding search the Scriptures make vse of such good helpes as the time affords plentifully Take our time Say not I am dull I haue a bad memory God hath taken away these pretences therefore they will not goe for payment at that day Next obserue that Faith and Loue are ioyned together as two inseparable companions wheresoeuer one is there is the other also and misse one misse both He that hath Faith must needs haue Loue for Faith worketh by Loue Gal. 5. Faith assuring vs of Gods loue to vs makes vs loue God againe and our neighbour for his sake at his commandement and for his Image that is in him And wheresoeuer true Loue is there certainly Faith hath gone before these can be no more seuered than sunne and light good tree and fruit As for that 1 Cor. 13. If I had all Faith and haue no Loue I am a sounding brasse and tinkling cymball it 's to be vnderstood of the greatest measure of the Faith of miracles which indeed might be seuered from that of Loue as in Iudas not meant of iustifying Faith of which before in the Treatise of Faith This may bee comfortable to many humble soules that vnfainedly loue God as appeares by good signes that loue his Word Ordinances and their Neighbours but Saints especially and yet doubt whether they haue any Faith or no they may as well doubt whether the sunne be risen when they see the beames therof shine in at their window It 's impossible to haue Loue till we haue Faith wrought in vs which is the mother-grace as impossible as to haue good fruit without a tree for it to grow vpon 2. This on the contrary witnesseth fearfully against the people of England and the most part euery where that there is no Faith among them seeing Loue is so scarce and hard to bee found The manifold idle and malicious wilfull suites in Law the many contentions brawlings raylings and fallings out for trifles doe shew there is but a little loue So much oppression cruelty extortion bribery symonie such racking and rending euery man for himselfe not caring who sinke so hee swimme so much deceit in bargainings and dealings in buyings and sellings as one knowes scarce whom to beleeue euery one spreads a net for his neighbour to catch him if he can such couetous pinching neglect of giuing where cause is of free lending by reason of vsurious lending and innumerable such courses as these doe cry out with a loud voice that Loue is but rare Such neglect of duety to others soules so few regarding to admonish reproue exhort comfort when and where there is neede few able fewer willing Besides so little loue to the Saints and true seruants of God All these beare witnesse strongly that Loue is wanting and therefore certainly that there is no Faith which where it is cannot but shew it selfe by true Loue in the fruits thereof Let men therefore whosoeuer they be keepe silence concerning Faith except they can proue it by their Loue which while they liue in the quite contraries thereto they can neuer doe Next whereas Faith and Loue being ioyned together yet Faith is set in the first place note that though in regard of time they be wrought together in the soule yet in order of nature Faith goes first vniting vs to Christ from whom are deriued into vs Loue and all other graces First this confutes that Popish assertion That Loue informeth Faith or giues a being vnto it which cannot be since Faith is before it It declares and makes Faith manifest where it is and proues the soundnesse and truth of it but giues no forme or being thereto 2 This sheweth that where Faith is not there it 's impossible Loue should be therefore an vnbeleeuing man or woman neither doth nor can loue God or their Neighbour which is a fearfull thing to be spoken and yet most true Therefore Lord how should it awaken such which are the greatest part to labour earnestly after this grace of Faith get this and get all and so on the contrary 3 Lastly let none of those that are about the worke of Faith hold off and say If I could loue God as I would and my Neighbour as I should then I could beleeue Nay rather know that you must first beleeue and then you shall be able to loue God and your Neighbour Obiect But here some may obiect that whereas the Apostle hath brought all our dueties to these two Faith in Christ and Loue to our Neighbour that this is defectiue for as much as the Loue of God which is the chiefe of all is left out Answ. We are to know that it 's not left out but necessarily included in the loue of our neighbour from whence that doth proceed for as hee that loues God cannot but loue his neighbour so no man can loue his neighbour truely in whom the loue of God is not wrought for whose Image and at whose commandement he loueth him 1 Ioh. 5. 2. CHAP. 2. Of the Loue of God OF which loue of God seeing both it 's the principall and that wherby we may know whether the loue of our neighbour be in vs yea or no which is the point wee mainly intend in this Treatise I will therefore speake a little of the same The loue of God is a most precious and honourable esteeming and affecting of him with a chiefe delight in him aboue all things God is worthy to be loued vnmeasurably because he is infinitely and vnmeasurably holy pure perfect and good in himselfe Also because he hath been vnmeasurably good to vs especially in giuing his Son to the death for vs. Iohn 3. 16. So God loued i. e. so vnmeasurably and
I will be with him and glorifie him With long life will I satisfie him and shew him my saluation And Iohn 14. 21. Hee that loueth mee shall be loued of my Father and I will loue him and shew mine own self vnto him vers 23. Yea these are they to whom God hath promised his heauenly Kingdome Iames 1. 12. to them that loue him Thirdly it condemnes those that loue any thing more than they loue God as father mother wife childe profit pleasure friend yea or life it selfe which is no other than Idolatry and to make that our God which wee loue aboue God and spirituall Adultery as St. Iames cals it Iames 4. 4. as a man that loues a harlot more than his owne wife yet what is more common than this yea the trade of it with the common sort who for the sake of the things aboue named care not what dueties they omit or what sinnes they commit against God who yet ought to be loued aboue all and all things to be loued in and for him and vnder him and as may stand with our loue to him and not otherwise Yea the seruants of God because their loue is not perfect suffer many things to come in betweene God and vs and steale our heart and affection in part from him and that obedience that wee owe vnto him which we ought to bewaile deeply and labour euery day more and more that his loue may bee greater in vs than to any thing nay all things else that are in the world besides And so much of the Loue of God briefly hauing taken it but by the way CHAP. 3. Of Loue to our Neighbour and first what it is NOw I come to handle the duety of Loue to our Neighbour as that which necessarily floweth from the Loue of God And of this first What it is secondly of the Notes it 's knowne by thirdly of the Properties of true Loue and fourthly of the persons that we ought to loue 1 Loue is a sanctified affection of the heart whereby whosoeuer is indued withall endeuoureth to doe all the good he can to all but especially to them that be nearest vnto him 1. It s an affection seated as we say in the heart as all the other of hate hope feare ioy griefe c. as the vnderstanding is in the head These are in themselues good and not euill being giuen to Adam in his creation in whom they were all pure well ordered and in good tune louing the good and hating the contrarie and so in the rest But euer since the Fall they are vtterly corrupted the will and affections haue not onely lost all their purity but the will is become most rebellious and all the affections disordered and turned the contrary way As this of Loue is turned to the loue of euill to malice reuenge and selfe-loue 2. I say its a sanctified affection for ere a man can loue he must be regenerate sanctiffed throughout as in his vnderstanding and will so in his affections which is when a man is vnited to Christ by Faith he is sanctified by the Spirit that is the old and cursed disposition that is in vs by nature is put away and a new and contrary frame and disposition of soule wherein wee were at first created is brought into vs the vnderstanding enlightned the will made plyant and frameable to the will of God and so the affections purged and restored to their former integrity in some measure as to hate the euill so to loue the good to loue God and our brethren for Gods cause So that no vnregenerate or vnsanctified man can loue eyther God himselfe or any body else True Loue proceeds from a pure heart good conscience faith vnfained 1 Tim. 1. 5. from a soule purified by the spirit 1 Pet. 1. 22. And Gal. 5. it s reckoned among the fruits of the spirit And 2 Pet. 1. 7. its reckoned among other graces Faith Temperance Patience Godlinesse c. so that one is no more in vs naturally than the rest There be many things that the blinde world call Loue which are not this grace that we speake of nor come in any such account with God That betweene the fornicator and his harlot is no loue but lust as in Amnon which turned as soone into hatred Between drunkards and theeues is no loue but conspiracy for Loue reioyceth not in iniquity but in the truth that is in that that is good Nor that naturall loue of parents to their children This is in bruit creatures the Cowe loues nourisheth and defendeth her Calfe the Goose and Gander tend and brood their young Nor that ciuill loue that is between ordinary people in the world that stands only in eating and drinking prating and playing together which they count such loue and good fellowship as who so speakes against and cals for better spending of the time is cryed out vpon as an enemy to all loue and not to be suffered But our Sauiour Christ nor the Gospell comes not to bring such friendship but rather debate Such as that was among the Heathen and is only carnall whereas true loue respecteth the soule and that most of all which is no whit seene nor thought of among carnall men Vnregenerate men cannot loue their neighbours for while they be kinde to their bodies and haue no care of their soules is this worthy to be called Loue It s as ones friend or child should haue a hurt in the braine and another in the heele and he should carefully looke to the heele and let the braine putrifie Carnall Parents that pamper their childrens bodies and prank them vp braue and lay for great portions for them and suffer their soules to welter in sinne and dye and perish for want of instruction admonition prayer and holy example is this to bee called Loue what do they more than Turkish Parents The wicked Magistrate that is very friendly to all the Countrey and keepes a good house all the yeare and yet suffers sinne to reigne and houses of disorder to abound in his circuit the Sabbaths to be prophaned and like Gallio cares for none of those things call you this Loue The negligent Minister that sets on the great Pot and keeps good Hospitality among his neighbours and yet suffers their soules to famish for want of breaking to them the Bread of life The carnall neighbour that to the body of his neighbour is very kinde but suffers sinne to rest vpon his soule and rather nourisheth him therein than rebuketh him thereof this in the language of the holy Ghost is hatred and no loue Leuit. 19. 17. And what hold is there of vnsanctified mens loue one to another They may be very inward and great friends now and on the sodaine vpon a small occasion fall out and become deadly enemies They oft goe arme in arme to the Ale-house or Tauern embracing each other and stabbe one another ere they come forth See a liuely picture of this Iudges
9. in that sworne friendship that was betweene Abimelech and the House of Shechem who yet came shortly to hate each other so as they neuer lin till they had wrought each others destruction And no maruell for euen the Heathen could say That true friendship was grounded onely vpon vertue Neither can vnregenerate men much lesse loue the children of God For there is a naturall enmity between the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent which all are till they be regenerate nor can any man loue grace in another till hee be sanctified and gracious himselfe They may bee conuinced in conscience that they bee the good seruants of God and better than themselues as Saul was of Dauid Herod of Iohn Baptist Pilate of our Sauiour Christ pronouncing him Iust. They may bee restrained from hurting them as Laban and Esau from hurting Iacob one in his hote pursuit of him the other in his meeting him with foure hundred men If a mans wayes please God hee will make his enemies at peace with him Prouerbs 16. As Daniel was preserued safe among the Lyons and the three Children tooke no hurt in the fire Nay they may doe them good as Cyrus did the Iewes restoring them to their land and liberty and furnishing them with all necessaries to the building the City and Temple of Ierusalem Ahashuerosh also and Artashashte to Ezra and Nehemiah and by them to the people of God But they doe it as Caiaphas that vttered that prophesie not of himselfe but as he was high Priest that yeare So these are vsed of God to such purposes As the Rauens that brought Elias bread and pottage in the morning and againe at euen But loue them they cannot at least not for their godlinesse sake They may doe a man outwardly some good t is not amiss to take it yet it s not good to bee too much beholding to them And what hold is there of their good will If they cry Hosanna now they may cry Crucifie him by and by If as Acts 14. 18 19. they so highly esteeme vs as to be ready to deifie vs yet by and by vpon a lying report they will be ready to stone vs. As Herod reuerenced Iohn Baptist and yet at the perswasion of Herodias cut off his head Dauid saith it was his familiar that ate bread with him and tooke counsell with him that yet lift vp his heele against him Psal. â— 1. 9. They are gone and hide their heads If the multitude go the other way or the times begin to turne any thing dangerous when they haue most neede of them they are gone Nay no bond of benefits bestowed no nor of nature it selfe is strong enough to binde such a man sure to the childe of God Our Sauiour Christ made Iudas his Disciple an Apostle of his owne Family Table and Messe made him his Purse-bearer and yet how villanously did he betray him into the hands of his vtterest enemies Iehoiada preserued the life of Ioash when all his brethren were slaine hâ—lp him to the Kingdome and was a guide to him as long as he liued with him yet how vngratefully and wrongfully did he cause his good sonne Zechariah a Prophet to be put to death And for the bonds of nature neuer so neare our Sauiour Christ foretold that which experience hath proued often true Matth. 10. 21. That the brother shall betray the brother father the sonne and children shall rise up against their parents to get them put to death There is no hold of any vnregenerate man but he may proue a persecutor therefore what 〈◊〉 to bee giuen to his loue Vse This shewes the miserable state of vnregenerate men that they can neither loue God themselues nor any body else while they are in this case what should such a man doe in the world One would thinke it should make him weary of himselfe If he would consider and beleeue it so it would Oh beg of God by his blessed Word and holy Spirit to worke a mighty worke of change in your hearts and to sanctifie you throughout that from hence you may be able to loue God your owne selues and others in a right manner till which time you cannot so much as loue your owne wife and children as you ought to doe 2. It teacheth also Gods people not to trust too much to such men and their loue liue peaceably with them vse them kindly accept kindnesse from them but open not our selues too farre to them leane not too much on them lest they proue like Egypt a broken reed that will run into our hand and they proue like a sliding foot and a broken tooth For if they bee pent they will burst They are like a Iade that will draw while its going but is not sure If the time alter there is no hold but hee may betray thee As Pilate who knew our Sauiour Christ to bee innocent and that all was wrongfully and of malice that was done against him and hee sought many wayes to ridde his hands of him and to saue his life yet when they vrged him that hee was not Caesars friend if he let him goe then he passed sentence of death against him Obiect But some will say I am not of your minde I will trust my honest neighbour before these runners to Sermons none will sooner deceiue one than they I know one that came from a Sermon and went and hired his neighbours house ouer his head Answ. I deny not but as euer there haue been so now be some that make a shew of godlinesse and deny the power of it and then the world is no wiser than to iudge and say so of all professors which is a most fowle wrong and a false thing For there are to be found that dare not deale vnfaithfully but say as Ioseph How should I doe this wickednesse and sin against God they haue the Spirit of God within them and the feare of God in their hearts to bridle them which the carnall person hath not nor any thing that one may warrant will tye and hold him And this euen the men of the world know for they will put the matters of greatest trust into their hands I haue knowne a very carnall Master that hauing diuers ruffianly seruants that he delighted in and a couple of sober Christian men and to these hee committed his keyes and matters wherein greatest faithfulnesse was required which yet he heartily affected not but they were fit to serue his turne So in matters of Arbitrement they will put their case to such as be of best report for godlinesse in the Country perswading themselues that they will deale vprightly and with a good conscience And the truth is he is not worthy the name of a Christian and its pity of his life that will not doe better than any carnall man in the world It followeth in the description of loue whereby whosoeuer is endued therewith for it s not to bee found in euery bush
constant all gathered out of 1 Pet. 1. 22. First it must be mutuall it must come from one to another mutually and be at euery hand as God commands others to loue vs so vs to loue others so that none is free from this duty Many will looke for a great deale of Loue from others that care not how little they shew themselues would be visited but care not to visit others would haue their owne vertues commended will not do so by others haue their infirmities couered but will not doe so would not be prouoked yet will prouoke would not that others should be quickly angry with them yet they will with others Alas this is great weaknesse for its a more blessed thing to giue than to receiue Acts 20. 35. And wee should rather striue to goe before and set others in our debt by loue and be on the forehand A good minde rather remembers the debt that is going from him than that which is comming to him This oft comes of pride in some men to looke for much of others and performe little themselues The husband oft lookes his wife should walke at an inch with him though hee will breake ells out of square So sometimes it fals out with the wife towards her husband looke for much and performe little This is no equity we must doe as wee would bee done to It s more dangerous for vs to neglect our duty to others than that they neglect to vs for this is but a small want but the other makes vs liable to Gods iudgement Let vs therefore striue who shall doe most duety each to other husband to wife neighbour to neighbour and not the contrary 2. It must be common One another It s in the plurall number and shewes a communitie that we must not love one or two or a few but all and especially all that feare God Love communicates it selfe and is not engrossed to a few Many can be content to love one or two or a few as they list but they set light by the rest yea oppose and iustle with some and liue vnkindly with them This is no true love neither ought it so to be Yea wee must loue the meanest that feare God and not neglect them The meanest member of the body is regarded by the greatest Though they bee of low degree in the world yet seeing they be members of that glorious body of Iesus Christ wee must not haue the faith of him in respect of persons Iames 2. 1. Seeing God hath vouchsafed to giue his Sonne for them to redeeme them his Spirit to sanctifie them and hath prepared a place in heauen for them we must not despise them Nay these wee ought the rather to encourage and to hearten on in well-doing seeing so few of that sort haue any good in them and they haue many discouragements They will beare their pouerty the better It s a great cheering to them when they see themselues regarded And nothing is more comely than to see wealthy ones to be affable and to speak kindly and to the hearts of the poore that be godly as Boaz did to Ruth For beeing fellow-brethren and fellow-members as deare to God as they should a little wealth lift vp the minde The Lord is the Maker of them both Prou. 22. 2. Iames 2 5. Hath not God chosen the poore of this world that they should be rich in Faith and heires of the Kingdome c. 3 It must be without seigning Rom. 12. 9. 1 Iohn 3. 18. Not in word or in tongue but in deede and in truth God hates dissembling in euery thing whether in loue pretended to himselfe when is no such thing or towards our neighbour in any of our dealings with him God loues simplicity and plaine dealing as in Iacob and Nathaneel If Loue which is the maine vertue be counterfeit what shall become of all the dueties that proceed from thence Gods loue to vs was not feigned and in shew but sincere and reall when he gaue vs his beloued Sonne to the death for our sins Here two sorts of persons are iustly to bee taxed 1. Such as pretend to loue when yet they hate 2. Such as make shew to loue and do not For the first Psal. 28. 3. Psal. 12. 2. 55. 21. 62. 4. Pro. 26. 24. reade these places Thus did Ioab to Amasa 2 Sam. 20. Iudas to our Sauiour Christ Saul to Dauid 1 Sam. 18. 17. 25. giuing him his Daughter to bee a snare to him requiring no ioynture but an hundred fore-skins of the Philistims hoping thereby hee might fall into their hands which persons carry a marke of Reprobation about them Psalme 28. 3. Workers of iniquitie to whom belongs some notable iudgement of God They be like the Diuell who pretended loue to Eue when hee sought her ruine and of all her posteritie So to our Sauiour Christ Mat. 4. All these will I giue thee c. As these bee more dangerous to those they hate than if they did openly shew it for then they could better beware of them One Enemie within the Wals is worse than ten without so are they worse for themselues For any vice masked and cloked vnder a shew of vertue is double iniquitie And as our Sauiour Christ said to the Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 23. 14. Ye shall receiue greater damnation so shall these Yet how common is this many will speake faire as may bee to their Neighbour when yet they intend mischiefe against them or as soon as their back is turned mocke or iest at them speake euill or raise vp some slander against them or doe them what hurt they can If we know any haue dealt so with vs let vs take heed that we neuer do so by them or any other but loathe it as hatefull and diuellish For the second sort There be that pretend they loue but alas try and you shall finde no such thing A deale of Court-holy water congeyes and crouchings an handfull of true hearty loue is worth ten armefuls of their congeyes downe to the ancles they will salute Good morrow and Good night when yet they mind nor heartily wish no good These are clouds without raine plashes that deceiue when most need is vessels with false bottomes that haue a little water on the top but empty below Snch as will earnestly inuite when they know one cannot or will not stay proffer kindnesse when they thinke it will not bee needed but if it happen to be accepted and made vse of at any time then they eyther haue some shifts to auoide it or else doe it with much vnwillingnesse and grumbling behinde the parties backe So those that pretend they loue the poore yet come to them in their behalfe and nothing shall you get but what they are forced vnto and hardly that So many good Ministers and Christians haue found small kindnesse in their need at the hands of such as yet in their prosperity haue profest good will and made great shewes of
loue to them they might haue done full ill for all these what loue call you this It s like Faith without workes which God will condemne So to speake well of such and such men to pity them and say they are worthy men and pity they should want yet neuer doe any thing for them If God should feed them thus they would soon complaine 4 The fourth thing required in Loue is that it must be pure It must come from a pure heart as St. Peter speakes and be agreeable to the rule of the pure Word of God Pure Loue is seene in diuers things First it loues for some vertuous and good actions therefore the loue of the Adulterer and his Mate of Drunkards and Theeues that be sworne brothers is no loue To loue a man because he can dice well or sweare deeply drink others vnder boord or mocke and deride wittily or raile bitterly against the seruants of God this is cursed loue for true Loue reioyceth not in iniquity as we haue heard A worse note cannot be than when one sees one fight cunningly or desperately against God to loue him the better These be no better than Rebels and Conspirators against the Maiesty of God 2 Pure Loue is that which is grounded on Grace and Religion and on no transitory thing or in those that haue no grace we loue them for conscience of Gods commandement and because of that part of the Image of God that is in them which condemnes the carnall loue of the most which loue onely for worldly respects for strength beauty or any inward gift of the minde not sanctified as wit skill in Arts musicke play These are worthy loue but to loue onely for these is not true and pure Loue for thus loued the Heathen worldly mens loue is for such respects and no other Yea euen Gods seruants faile this way sometimes as old Isaac that loued Esau for his skill in hunting Dauid loued Absolon for his beauty and so doth many a man his wife which doe ill to build loue on so false grounds for when these faile oft the loue goes after 3 Pure Loue is in respect of the party himselfe whom wee loue and for no respect to our selues or any commodity of ours And such was Gods loue in giuing his Sonne to vs miserable sinners which condemnes the world who onely loue for selfe-respects As hee is my Vncle Friend loues mee or hath done this or that for mee or may doe mee a pleasure therefore I will make much of him or for feare he may doe me a shrewd turne This if it bee shaken out of the clouts will be found but self-selfe-loue wee haue a respect and aime onely to and at our selues Mat. 5. 46. Many a man shewes kindnesse or doth good to some onely to purchase credit The husband loues his wife because she pleaseth him well is faire a good housewife and for nothing else this is self-selfe-loue All the Papists charitable deeds were all selfe-loue for they were done with opinion of merit and so they loued themselues rather than the parties they gaue vnto So is all the loue of worldlings examine it and you shall most-what finde it to bee selfe-loue they haue some reach at themselues 4 Pure Loue is when wee so loue a man as we loue his soule and therefore will suffer no euill to rest vpon him but hate the sin in him whom hee loues most dearly and will counsell him to all good and from all euill Therfore so to loue our neighbour as not to tell him of his fault for angring or disquieting of him if he be such as wee may speake to is hatred rather than loue as God saith Leuiticus 19. 17. So Parents that loue their children so well as they will not nurture rebuke correct them they hate them they slay them in following their wayes Hee that spares the rod hates his childe Prou. 13. 24. It s as one should bee so tender ouer a childe as not to suffer the winde to blow vpon it and therefore hold the hand before the mouth of it but hold so hard as hee strangles the childe As the Ape that hugs her young so hard as she kils it Againe friends perswade a man to doe this or that for preferment that he cannot doe with good conscience Oh they loue him they would faine see him preferred Wofull loue to the bodie to destroy the soule A neighbour hath a childe or cattell strangely handled one comes in of loue and perswades him to send to such a cunning man or good Witch the worst instrument of the Deuill of all for helpe Is hee a friend that will doe that that shall vantage one a penny and ere the yeare come about hinder him a hundred pound So when a good Christian is ready to suffer for a good conference and a friend comes and sayes Oh I pray cast not away yourselfe I wish you well be not too nice doe as others doe Cruell loue is this to perswade them to saue their bodies by doing that whereby they should cast away soule and body for euer As Peter aduiseth our Sauiour Christ not to goe vp to Ierusalem to suffer but to fauour himselfe Matth. 16. 22. which was to disswade him from doing his Fathers will and from that wherby Peter himselfe and all mankinde should bee saued and without which they had all beene lost for euer what loue therefore was this you may see by the thankes our Sauiour Christ gaue him who bade him get him behinde him Sathan for hee sauoured not of the things of God but of the world 5 Next our Loue must be feruent We must loue earnestly and hotly as wee can and secondly constantly for in these two things stands feruency First for the earnestnesse of our Loue as wee must stretch it to as many persons and in as many dueties as wee can to soule to body in giuing forgiuing c. as wee haue heard before so in these we must not be sparing but in giuing liberall for he that sowes sparingly shall reape sparingly 2 Cor. 9. 6. So in forgiuing plenteous to seuenty times c. For thus is God to vs in giuing for soule body goods name to our selues and ours day night neuer weary in doing vs good neuer vpbraiding In forgiuing how mercifull in passing by our manifold offences and that daily And the rather because a little loue is soon quencht therefore wee must so loue as though wee meete with many temptations from the parties themselues or from others that yet wee suffer it not to be extinguished And wee must loue feruently not doing these dueties when we can well and haue nothing to let vs but forget our pleasure profit ease c. to doe our neighbour good Loue seeks not her owne things It is laborsous 1 Cor. 13. as in the Samariran who set vp the wounded man vpon his horse and went on foote himselfe and left all the money in his purse for his charges and
promised to send more And as hee that rose out of his warme bed to lend his neighbour loaues As they that gaue out of their maine stocke or sold their lands to relieue the necessities of the Church Acts 2. 44. Aboue and beyond all comparison ten thousand times was the feruency of the loue of God the Father when hee parted with his owne and onely Sonne out of his bosome for our Redemption and of our Lord Iesus Christ who forsooke the glory of Heauen and laide downe his life here vpon earth to saue vs miserable siuners and his vtter enemies Oh how doth this condemne the cold yea frozen loue of the world And where there is a sparke yet it is so weake as the least drop of water will quench it We will not speake a word in defence of neuer so good a man or cause if it will hinder our selues neuer so little or procure vs but a frowne How worthily on the contrary did Ionathan who spake for Dauid to Saul his father to the danger of his owne life 1 Sam. 20. 33. So Ester endangered her life to speake for the Church I will goe to the King If I perish I perish Hest. 4. 16. 6 Lastly our Loue must bee constant not easily broken off but continuing to the end Heb. 13. 1. Ephes. 4. 3. Thus is Gods loue to his Iohn 13. 1. which wee must imitate The Deuill will seeke to breake it off and our selues being men are fraile and many occasions will be ready to be offered therfore wee had need with all diligence to striue to hold and maintaine it aliue in our hearts How doth this rebuke the inconstancy of many men that are wonne as we say with an apple and lost with a nut that will vpon euery sleight occasion breake friendship If God should so deale with vs what should become of vs But his loue is constant to his notwithstanding their daily prouocations Yea hee loues them in aduersity and their low estate yea best then and is nearest them with his comforts So it ought to bee with vs for then our neighbour hath most need of vs and then our loue will shew it selfe to bee most free and not mercenary But how contrary is this euery where While they be in prosperity they haue many friends which in their affliction goe aloofe off as Dauid oft complaineth and Iob to whose very wife his breath was strange in the day of his affliction Ruth did quite contrary very commendably who vowed to her mother-in-law Naomi that nothing but death should separate between them CHAP. 7. Whom we must loue NOw followeth to speake of the persons whom wee ought to loue and they are all men vpon the face of the earth good and bad without or within the Pale of the Church our loue must stretch it selfe to any of them they are our neighbour whom wee are bidden to loue as our selues as wee may see in the Parable of the Samaritan these we ought to doe good to if they need and wee be able and for these we must pray Yea wee ought to pray for euery particular person that wee know or can see because wee know not whatsoeuer hee bee now but he may belong to God Wee must therefore loue all our enemies and all men whatsoeuer they be but especially the Saints and People of God And of these I will speake seuerally and in order And first of the loue of our enemies That wee must loue our enemies is required inclusiuely in these words of 1. Ioh. 3. 23. that ye loue one another and in those words that be the summe of the two Tables Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe as may appeare by comparing Exod. 23. 4 5. with Deut. 22. 1 2. He that is called in one place thine enemy is called in the other thy brother or neighbour More plainely its required Pro. 25. 21. Matth. 5. 44. But ere we proceed to the proofe of this point let vs see who are the enemies wee must loue by shewing the kindes of enemies that there be and withall cleere some Scriptures that seeme to countenance hatred of our enemies Enemies bee publicke or priuate Gods enemies or ours Publike be such as oppose hate the Religion and truth of God and persecute it in the professors thereof or are enemies to anie good courses and godly proceedings and so to vs for the same These againe bee eyther curable or incurable for the curable such as Saul was who afterward became a Paul we must hate their sinnes pray against their deuices but loue their persons The incurable we must hate their sinnes directly and their persons indirectly Thus we hate the person of the Divell though he be Gods creature yet because hee hath sinned against the holy Ghost and is Gods desperate finall and incurable aduersarie therefore wee are bound to hate him So might nay ought we to doe if we knew anie man or men to be such as S. Paul did who 2. Tim. 4. prayed against Alexander that God would reward him according c. and the Primitiue Church against Iulian the Apostate Of these Dauid meant Psal. 139. 22. Doe not I hate them O Lord that hate thee yea I hate c. and Psal. 109. 69 22. to the 29. and in many Psalmes hee prayes for the finall and vtter destruction of his enemies which is a signe of vtter hatred But this was not because they were his enemies but Gods as well and not that only but desperate and irrecouerable ones which he saw by the spirit of God being extraordinarily and infallibly informed thereof whose prayers were but prophecies of the finall destruction of these men as Psal. 63. 9. 54. 5. But for vs because wee haue not the like measure or gift of the spirit wee haue no such warrant to hate or pray directly against anie mans person Of these also are meant such places where wee are bidden to reioyce at wicked mens destruction Psal. 52. also Psal. 58. 10. We also though we know not mens finall estate yet if wee see anie notorious enemies of the Church and Gospell and good men taken away may giue God thankes and in some sense reioyce namely that God hath shewed himselfe carefull of his Church and hath prouided for his glory the comfort of his people and passage of goodnesse and for the terrour of other bad ones but not to reioice as it s their destruction but as wee should pray for them while they liue so pitie them being cut off that they haue brought miserie vpon themselues Obiect But an obiection or two may be made Our Sauiour Christ tells vs wee must hate father and mother wife and childe c. for his Names sake Answ. True when they stand in opposition against Christ and would pull vs from him we must then say Get thee behinde mee Sathan and tread vpon them if they stand in our way to hinder vs from following Christ. We must hate their counsell
vnutterably c. 1 Iohn 4. 9 10. Ephes. 3. To know the loue of Christ which passeth knowledge But that wee cannot therefore wee must loue him as Deut. 6. 5. with all our heart soule and might But this we cannot neyther since the fall of Adam therfore we must loue him with an vpright heart and this God will accept in Christ. Wee must loue him simply and absolutely for himselfe and all other things for him in and vnder him We must not loue him as we loue other things but aboue all other things in the world Mat. 10. 37. Hee that loueth father or mother more c. Nay Luke 14. 26. Hee that hates not father c. that is when they would withdraw vs from God and his Obedience therefore Deut. 13. 6. are we bidden if any neuer so neare and deare should entise vs to Idolatry wee should reueale him that he may be put to death If wee loue him not aboue all things he is not our God And this we ought to doe first because he is goodnesse it selfe which is most worthy of all loue and wheresoeuer we see any part of this Image it ought to draw our hearts vnto it Secondly he hath created vs after his owne Image redeemed vs by his deare Sonne preserued vs alwayes and multiplyed vpon vs and daily reneweth innumerable mercies both for soule and body and doe not these besides what hee hath promised vs hereafter challenge all our best affections Thus haue the worthy seruants of God done in their seuerall generations The holy Martyrs who haue forsaken all for his loue and counted meanly of their liues for his Names sake yea chose rather to endure the vttermost torturings that cruell persecutors could inflict vpon them rather than doe any thing to his dishonour This condemneth all such as are so farre from this loue of God as they are no better than haters of God Oh there be none so vile Yes wee are all such by nature till God worke a change Rom. 1. 30. and 8. 7. The carnall minde is enmity against God for it 's not subiect to the will of God nor indeed can be Saint Paul Rom. 5. Colos. 1. saith we were enemies to God 2 Chro. 19. 2. Wouldst thou loue them that hate God 1. Ahab a wicked Idolater and such as he so also in the end of the Second Commandement see if God call not Idolaters and such as pretend great loue to him and are at great cost and paines with him haters of him Such be all Atheists Heretickes c. Papists be Idolaters and great haters of God persecuting also his Truth Saints with fire and sword Among our selues be many abominable blasphemers contemners of God and all goodnesse The better any person thing speech action or duety is the more they hate it and the worse any thing or any company is the better it pleaseth them These be Sathans eldest sonnes marching in the Fore-ranke of the Deuils Band to whom without rare Repentance belongs nothing but a fearfull expectation of vengeance and violent fire to deuoure such aduersaries Heb. 10. 27. It condemneth all such as loue not God which indeed are to be ranked with the former haters of God saue that they doe it not in so high a degree But most will say they loue God or else it were pity of their liues and they defie him that shall say they loue not God What am I a dogge Thus if great words would carry it euery body would bee louers of God but it's deedes must proue it not words And the Holy Ghost hath left vs certaine and infallible markes to know the loue of God by by which if you will be tryed let vs briefly heare some of them and iudge your selues accordingly They that loue God hate euill Psalme 97. 10. They will keepe Gods commandements Ioh. 14. 21. 1 Iohn 5. 3. They that loue God would that all others did so and draw as many to God as they can as Philip did Nathanael Iohn 1. 41. Matthew the Publicans Mat. 9. to our Sauiour Christ. Isay 2. 1. and reioyce to see any come home to God by Repentance as the Angels of Heauen doe They will grieue when they see him wronged or dishonored as Moses when he threw downe the Tables and Phinees when he ran thorough Zimri and Cozbi Lots righteous soule was vexed at the vncleane conuersation of the Sodomites They that loue God will loue his Word being holy and pure as himselfe and containing his good will They loue his faithfull Ministers he that receiueth you receiueth me Luke 10. They will loue Gods Children and his Image wheresoeuer they see it 1 Iohn 5. 1. Psalme 16. 3. They will take paines in his seruice as Iacob did night and day in Labans for the loue hee bare to Rachel and be at cost as Dauid towards the building of the Temple and Mary with her boxe of precious ointment poured on our Sauiour Christ. Yea and speedily hee will goe about what God cals him to as Abraham that rose early to offer Isaac and Hamor who made speed to get the Shechemites to yeeld to the demands of Dinahs brethren because he so dearly loued her They that loue God are willing and glad to meet him or heare from him in the Ordinances of his Word Prayer Sacraments as the wife desireth and is glad to heare from her absent husband and to send or receiue tokens to him and from him They that loue God greatly are content to suffer for his Names sake as Paul that said I am not ready to be bound but to dye at Ierusalem for the Name of Christ. And that worthy Martyr that said Shall I dye but once for my Sauiour I could find in my heart to dye a hundred times for him Also they long for his last comming for their full Redemption and that they might bee euer with the Lord as 1 Thes. 4. 17. As the Church Reu. 22. Come Lord Iesu come quickly Or else they long to be with him in the meane time as Paul I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ which is best of all Now if these be the true and certaine markes of the Loue of God and where these be wanting or much more where the contraries to these bee found there is no loue of God then must we necessarily conclude against the most part of people in all places that there is little loue of God abiding in them as will appear if we look ouer the particulars which might strike terror into their hearts if it were well considered For those whose hearts by these markes can beare witnesse on their sides let them labour to encrease more and more in this loue of God and see what priuiledges God hath promised and bequeathed vnto them Psal. 91. the three last Verses Because hee hath loued mee therefore will I deleuer him c. He shall call vpon me and I will heare him I will bee with him in trouble
13. 9. If thou wilt take the left hand I will take c. As it will giue way in conference to one that is stiffe though one know hee hath the truth so it be in small matters After offences it will soone yeeld and seeke reconciliation though it were meet the other should seeke to him It stands not vpon termes it will lay downe the bucklers goe on the lower ground yeeld the way or the wall to those that it were meet should yeeld it to him For why it more prizeth and esteemeth Loue than small matters 3 It doth no hurt it s against the nature of it so to doe neither in life chastity of our neighbour goods or good name See this in the two chiefe patterns of Loue in God towards his and parents towards their children who doe nor can do them no hurt at least parents in their conceit 4 It seekes not her owne things but others as well as is commanded 1 Cor. 10. 24. 5 It prouoketh nor exasperateth not but striues rather to please as far as it may with good conscience As we see in a louing mother toward her childe so also in whomsoeuer it is truely found 6 It s not easily prouoked 1 Cor. 13. 5. but forbeares forgiues puts vp c. which is well seene in God and a naturall mother with her vnquiet childe It will couer naturall infirmities such things as be little weaknesses in our brethren yet not done of set purpose nor growing into extremities but onely naturall defects As some bee a little too quicke some a little too slow some see a fault and bee a little too ready to speake others somewhat too slow to speake or reproue a fault Some be a little too fine some a little too homely and plaine if they were not all so much on either hand it were better Some be somewhat too earnest in their businesse if it were not altogether so much it were better yet not much amisse and it s their nature who bee yet very gracious Some bee a little too negligent some be a little too merry some a little too solemne these and such like Loue will couer or else nothing Loue will not standvpon them rebuke or reproach them or deale hardly with them for these but wisely beare with them and in loue cure them if it can As for example a wife a godly woman good houswife louing duetifull in good measure but somewhat curst and quicke of speech or not so cleanly as were to be desired a good husband in loue will beare with these and bee thankfull for the maine that hee findes in her So a woman hath a husband good in all the substantiall points of the husbands duety but hee is somewhat too glum not so affable and châ—arly as might be or whose nature will not suffer him to vse such complementâ— to his wife as some can doe with facility Loue will reach her to beare with this A seruant is very trusty religious and carefull to please onely somewhat slow the Master or Mistresse must not rebuke him too oft too openly too sharpely for it as a thing they can hardly remedie no perfection to bee expected in any If you can cure it by a louing and priuate admonishion sometimes doe So a Neighbour conferres with his Neighbour and hee is a little too quicke and harsh but loue will not see it but considers it as a naturall infirmitie therefore will not exasperate him or bee put out of patience by him answering him tartly againe but passeth it by and goeth on in kind and friendly manner Loue will also couer and put vp wrongs done vnto it not seeing small ones passing by somewhat greater as considering he himselfe is a man and so subject to offend his Neighbour and so may stand in need of his pardon As also that hee offends God daily and would bee glad to obtaine pardon therefore he must pardon his Neighbour or else can haue small hope or boldnesse to come before him for mercie and this often yea vnto seuentie times seuen times If they bee greater matters yet Loue will easily accept of indifferent conditions of agreement If they be so great as they so endanger our name and estate as they are not to be passed by then its lawfull to flee to the Magistrate and take the benefit of Law yet so as Loue will teach the party to lay away malice and to forgiue the reuenge And in going to Law these two Caueats must be obserued First that it bee not for trifles These should rather bee forgiuen 1 Cor. 6. 7. Why rather suffer yee not wrong Secondly that it bee the last Remedie when all other waies of more peaceable agreement haue beene tryed It must bee as the cutting off a member when it cannot be healed otherwise Hitherto belongs also that Loue will teach vs to hide and couer folkes faults from the world except wee haue a cause and calling to speake thereof but rather of their vertues 7. Lastly Loue is bountifull beneficiall and helpefull not keeping what it hath to it selfe but ready to distribute and communicate to the good of others whether spirituall or temporall gifts Spirituall for loue begins at the soule and doth good to that first of children seruants neighbours It wil communicate any gift it hath to them that need it taking to heart their spirituall wants instructing the ignorant counselling the doubtfull comforting the afflicted admonishing them that be out of the way exhorting theÌ„ that begin to faint or stagger in the way praying for all So for outward things it will cause men to giue to the poorest that are to be holpe by Almes as they be able and lend freely to them that bee a degree aboue the poorest which hauing a Trade and skill and will to follow it yet want stock to employ themselues and their company These a man is as much bound in conscience to lend vnto according to their abilitie and honestie to pay again as to giue a peece of bread or a penny to a poore miserable Creature Mat. 5. 42. Deut. 15. 8. By this shore many a reeling house hath been kept from falling flat to the ground By this helpe many haue liued handsomely and brought vp their families that else must haue come to vttermost misery To the wealthy that haue no neede of vs yet to be neighbourly and friendly in lending or exchanging Courtesies with them To inuite them somtimes to vs to goe to them beeing inuited And in their sickenesse or heauinesse to visit them and comfort them in the best maner we can Vse Now seeing Loue is such a thing and that these bee the fruits of it If we looke abroad among men wee shall be forced to say there is but little loue in the world for where bee these Properties spoken of to be found as may appeare in going ouer them 1. Who takes not things in the worst part hardly construing mens words and actions doubtfull ones it
and craue mercy and to labour to be reformed in this point Therefore first let 's labour to plucke vp these noisome weedes out of our hearts that this precious plant of Loue may grow therein 1 Striue against Infidelity and labour to get Faith and the encreases thereof if by Gods grace we haue it already 2 In humblenesse of minde labour to esteeme others better than our selues 3 Labour for a moderate affection toward these outward and base things in comparison setting more by Loue and the sweet fruits of it than by them all and therfore much more than by small trifles 4 Auoide enuie Is our eye euill because our Masters eye is good wee haue more than wee might looke for 5 Striue against techinesse and shortnesse of spirit Think what a base lust and sinfull distemper it is how it exalteth folly and how ill it becomes vs and what an enemy it is to true Loue. And labour wee that this loue to our brethren may shew forth it selfe in all good fruits in iudging the best departing from our right not prouoking nor being easily prouoked but forbearing and forgiuing offences and wrongs and communicating of what God hath imparted to vs of any kinde and that for these Reasons weigh them well 1 First God requireth it of vs who is Loue 1 Iohn 4. 8. and if we performe it we doe not so much serue our neighbour as please God who takes it to himselfe and in neglecting this wee neglect not our neighbour onely but God who takes himselfe wronged in this behalfe 2 Our neighbour is our owne flesh and euery one hath some part of the Image of God in him or vpon him 3 The Word aboundantly cals for it the Sacrament of the Lords Supper puts vs strongly in minde of it 4 No better argument that we are in the light loue God and are Christs Disciples be translated from death to life be endued with that excellent grace of true Faith than this that we truely loue one another Iohn 13. 34 35. 1 Iohn 3. 14. As a King is not knowne by his apparrell great company with him c. which may be some meaner man but by his Crowne so is not a Christian knowne by his hearing Sermons or good words but by his Loue. 5 The beauty of a Christian is Loue he is the best Christian that loues most whose lips feede most whose branches spread widest 6 And for forgiuing wrongs what should wee doe else God forgiues vs many great debts and ill dealings with him and shall wee be ready to reuenge euery petty trespasse See Matth. 18. 34. what became of him that did so God bids vs aske forgiuenesse on no other condition than that we forgiue our neighbour Marke 11. 25 26. And no better signe that a man is forgiuen of God than to forgiue our neighbour and no man can be assured of that but he will forgiue Let vs therefore of the sea of compassion that God hath shed out vpon vs let fall some drops of it vpon our neighbour Also wee may stand in need of our neighbours forgiuenesse for who liues and is not subiect to offend his neighbour one way or other No cause therefore wee should seeke reuenge which euery Turke yea euery beast can doe but passe by offences which is the glory of a man Prou. 19. 11. Keep out anger therefore in such cases if wee can or if wee be not so strong yet let it not rest in vs sowring in our hearts Let not the sunne goe downe vpon it The world counts this base but indeed it s truely honourable It s the honour of God Micah 7. 18. and so it makes vs like him Let vs therefore labour to doe thus and not a little or some few times but get a long skirted Loue which will couer a multitude of offences as St. Peter saith 1 Pet. 4. 8. or as Prou. 10. 12. All trespasses 7 And for distributing things temporall or spirituall as wee haue great reasons there bee God giues to all both good and bad he hath giuen vs what wee haue for what hast thou that thou hast not receiued and giuen vs them to be good stewards and dispensers thereof to the good of others 1. Pet. 4. 10. And the more wee giue the more we haue and not the lesse it encreaseth in the giuing as the loaues in our Sauiour Christs hands especially in spirituall things yea in temporall therefore giuing is compared to sowing which in good ground is vsually with encrease Therefore a worthy Minister vpon occasion asking his wife whether there were any mony in the house she answered that she knew but of one three pence Well saith he wee must goe sowe that is giue something to the poore knowing that to bee the way of bringing in Prou. 11. 24 25. Deut. 15. 10. The best thrift is to be mercifull and the way to beggery in a a mans selfe or his posterity is to be pinching And to conclude all Loue in the exercise of it will bring much peace to our consciences and comfort vs not a little on our death-bed that we haue not liued to our selues but to be vsefull to many especially to soules It procureth vs loue in the places wee liue in and in the Church of God a good report No man is well beloued though he haue good things in him if he be not louing Oh say they he is a good honest man I thinke but he is a harsh censurer contentious so hasty that no man can tell how to speake to him hee is a strait man liues all to himselfe few the better for him by counsell admonition encouragement and the like and so for outward things very close-handed and neare But if a man be full of loue it will procure him loue againe he shall be well spoken of while hee liues and mourned for when hee dyes which is a good mercy of God and the temporall reward of righteousnesse and loue Pro. 10. 7. The memoriall of the Iust shall bee blessed Thus they wept for Dorcas and shewed the coates shee had made Acts 9. 39. But a proud churlish close man shall liue without being desired and dye without being mourned for These would haue loue good will and credit in the Countrey and Towne they liue in but they will not seeke by this way to procure it will not be at the cost bee not vsefull liberall c. let them neuer looke for it Let them winne it if they will weare it Others care not so they may scrape all to themselues what the world say of them let the good name goe which way it will But these are base minded persons and they carry little better than a curse about them while they liue CHAP. 6. Properties of true Loue. NOw yet for our further direction in this point of Loue I will set downe some such Properties as the Scripture requireth in it as that it must be mutuall common sincere without feigning feruent pure
but yet loue their persons and pray God to open their eyes and turne their hearts Obiect 2. God bade the Israelites kill the Cananites man woman and childe and spare none Answ. If God bade them hate them they had a warrant so to doe for wee must loue our enemies in God and for God and not against God and wee must obey his commandement But God bade them not hate them but kill them and so they might doe and yet wish well to them and pity them The same may be said of all iust warres wee may hate the bad cause of our enemies ouerthrow their enterprizes and slay their persons and yet pity them and pray for their saluation As the Magistrate also that puts a malefactor to death for his offence and to terrifie others by his example yet hates him not but desires that his bodily punishment may be an occasion to bring him to Repentance to the sauing of his soule and therefore giues him godly counsell grants him respit and time sends Preachers to him to labour with him So in the other And thus much of Gods enemies Besides these we may haue priuate enemies that be vpon occasion fallen out with vs that hate and hurt vs and haue done vs wrong and seeke our mischiefe These our enemies wee must loue and of these principally as also of Gods curable enemies is our speech to be vnderstood in all that followes We must loue our enemies that is we must carry a tender affection towards them as desiring their good wishing saluation to their soules and outward prosperity so farre as may stand with Gods glory and their good reioycing at their welfare and grieuing at the contrary and this wee must shew forth by all signes and fruits of good vsage euery way which are referred Mat. 5. 44. to these three heads first Blesse them that is speake kindly to them and of them secondly Doe good that is be readie to helpe and relieue them and lastly Pray for them that hate and persecute you euen pray to God to pardon them and to turne their hearts And thus are we to doe to those that be neuer so deadly set against vs yea and neuer so wrongfully And marke that in this last cited place wee are first bidden to oue them the beginning must be in the affection of the heart that so the other dueties required may be performed and that in a right manner without which the one or the other or both will faile and then that wee must not say wee loue them onely but shew it by the fruits Rom. 12. 20. If thine enemy hunger feed him c. ouercome euill with goodnesse Prou. 24. 17. we are forbidden to reioyce at our enemies fall eyther into sinne or punishment Thus Dauid put on sackcloth fasted and prayed when his enemies were in affliction Elisha bade the King set bread water before his enemies and them that came to take the Prophet 2 Kings 6. So did our Sauiour Christ to his Precept Matth. 5. ioyne his Patterne not onely not reuenging as St. Peter saith being reuiled he reuiled not againe being persecuted he threatned not but on the contrary prayed for them that put him to death Father forgiue them they know not what they doe Thus he spake kindly to Iudas when he betrayed him with a kisse and called him Friend Matth. 26. 50. Thus Steuen prayed for his persecutors euen in the act of their stoning of him Lord lay not this sinne to their charge Acts 7. at the end Now listen to some Reasons to moue vs to this difficult duety and the Lord make them powerfull to perswade vs thereto First They be our owne flesh Isa. 58. 7. therefore wee are not to hurt them nor turne away our face from them to do them good Secondly they haue some part at least of Gods Image in them in their soule being an immortall spirit in the Maiesty of their face aboue all creatures in their authority they beare or age or gifts or the like Thirdly our Sauiour Christ commands it But I say vnto you Mat. 5. 44. The Scribes and Pharisees had taught they should loue their friends and hate their enemies But our Sauiour Christ the Law-maker and so the truest Interpreter thereof the Doctor of his Church hee of whom the Father bade from heauen heare him Matth. 17. 5. who is also our Lord and King bids vs loue our enemies So that if hee may be heard who is onely to be heard and if his authority and commandement may beare sway with vs that only ought to command our consciences then must wee doe so So that though Scribes and Pharisees say Loue friends and hate enemies though the Deuill say so flesh and bloud say so and doe so yet there is another to be heard against all these But I say vnto you c. Let vs therefore listen to his voice Fourthly so shall wee be the children of God and be like him who makes his sunne to shine and raine to fall on the iust and vniust and besides many outward mercies giues them the Gospell to call them to repentance And euen loued vs when we were his vtter enemies and when as hee might haue glorified himselfe in our condemnation yet he so loued vs as he gaue his own deare Sonne to redeeme vs and hath effectually called diuers of vs to the Faith of his Son Iesus Christ and the hope of eternall life Oh Loue vnspeakeable to bee shewed to enemies Now what should we desire and is our happinesse but to be like him Now when wee can loue our enemies indeed it will be a certaine euidence wee are the children of God a signe we loue God dearly when wee can doe this difficult thing for his sake And a signe of much grace to mortifie the rebellion of our nature that lusteth to the quite contrary And wee can haue no mark we are the Lords except wee can doe this in some measure and striue after it more and more Fifthly Gods people must doe singular things such as the world cannot attaine to Now euery Publican ciuill person hypocrite can loue his friends and hate his enemies but we must doe more God hath shewed vs singular mercy therefore we must yeeld him singular obedience and shew forth the power of his grace that is in vs. We must not be singular in conceits opinions and courses of our owne deuising but wee must be singular in obeying such commandements of God as the world will not be brought vnto and to reproach vs for such singularity shewes them to bee of this world that doe it Sixthly this hath reward from God so hath not louing them onely that loue vs which is selfe-loue wee shall haue their loue still its like and there is the reward we are like to haue but in louing our enemies we shall haue a reward Prou. 25. 22. not of merit but of promise for our encouragement Seuenthly we are commanded Matth. 5. 48. whence all these
reasons are collected that wee should be perfect as our heauenly Father is perfect This is a degree of grace and profiting in Christs Schoole to be able to loue our enemies which wee must striue vnto in this and the like dueties not contenting our selues to heare reade come to the Sacrament which not onely weaklings in grace but hypocrites can doe and doe continually nor yet holding our selues satisfied with some small measure of Loue or other graces as Faith Patience c. but to striue forward to some good degrees of them and of the fruits of the same in our course as occasion serues of which this louing and doing good to our enemies are principall ones Eighthly hereby we shall it may be conuert and ouercome our enemies to loue the truth As the patience of the Martyrs was a meane of the conuersion of some who suffered soone after them Or at least it will bee a conuincing them and leauing them without excuse as Saul by Dauids innocency who twice might haue killed him and did not was conuinced and cryed out Thou art more righteous than I 1 Sam. 24. 19. Ninthly we shall prouide herein well for our owne comfort both in life and in death when in all aduersities and wrongs by wicked men our enemies our hearts can testifie with vs that we seeke no reuenge that we can pray for our persecutors For this argueth much loue to be in vs and that it is feruent as God commands As that is a great fire that warmes not onely them that be neare but giues heate to them that be far off So is this Loue. This then first confuteth the Doctrine of the Scribes and Pharisees of which wee haue heard which is Doctrine and Diuinity for our turne and well suiting to our nature but it s too pleasing to nature to bee good nay it s to be abhorred 2 The Papists also who little better teach that in two cases onely we are bound to helpe our enemies in the case of extremity or of scandall For other things to loue them or pray for them or doe them good in other cases it s but a counsell our Sauiour Christ giues and no commandement If men can do it it s well but if they cannot it s not required But this is false our Sauiour Christ speaks in the Imperatiue and commanding Mood and vrgeth it hard with diuers reasons therefore it s not left to our discretion but flatly required as in other Scriptures 3 It rebuketh the contrary nature that is in vs and the practice of the world which quite against this Precept of louing praying for and doing good to our enemies doe hate them reioyce at their fall enuie at any good that comes to them speake all ill to them and of them interrupt all ill against them requite one euill with another taunt with taunt suit with suit blow with blow and seeke to do them all euill Yea and men thinke they should bee borne with and not blamed for this Why say they he is mine enemy and that wrongfully I neuer did him hurt yet he hath raised lies and slanders of me or thus and thus abused mee What then what mastery else were it for you to loue him Oh but this cannot be heard of whereby it appeares that most men are carnall and of the Deuill They say they owe them no loue Well yet you owe God all loue you cannot deny and hee hath turned ouer some of the loue you owe to him to be payed to your enemy and he will take it as payed to him and this is but iust in common dealing among men Nay it s a fault too much among many Christians that shew great weaknesse this way If they be wronged Oh how they swell and how farre they will goe in reuenge both by words and deeds and how long they dare lye herein whereby they be wray they be more flesh than spirit as Paul said to the Corinthians While these things are thus are ye not carnall and walke as men 1 Cor. 3. 3. My Brethren these things ought not so to be This is not the perswasion of Gods Spirit Indeede the spirit that is in vs lusteth after enuie but the Scripture teacheth better things The wisedome that is from aboue is first pure then peaceable full of mercy and good fruits Therefore this reuenging course which is counted wisedome if it be any its earthly that is of the men of this world sensuall of our owne corrupt lust and desire and Diuellish he is the author and teacher of it Oh that wee could be brought to see our sinne euery of vs in this point and be humbled that there is such a nature in vs so contrary to the will of God and for our practice that hath been so bad and lets euery one of vs bewaile heartily and repent of that that is past and for time to come le ts labour for greater grace that when any such occasions be offered vs hereafter we may shew better fruits And though we talke with our enemy or debate the matter keep passion away and doe it patiently yea or if wee reproue him if he be worthy or take the benefit of Law or Magistrate yet let it be without reuenge Wee are not bound hereby to loue their sinnes nor their needlesse society nor to furnish them with kindnesse that might make them fitter to doe hurt nor to relinquish our right or our good cause but that we be free from hatred and reuenge yea and further to ouercome their euill with goodnesse as God doth and commandeth And first that we beware of reuenge which is a wicked thing and that for these Reasons First Vengeance is the Lords and he will repay It s his office and priuiledge to reuenge therefore is to take the Royalty out of his hand as one should put the Lord chiefe Iustice out of his seat and iudge his cause himselfe Hee must reuenge to whom it belongs as Psal. 94. 1 2. therefore the Egyptian said to Moses when hee would haue parted him and the Israelite Exod. 2. 14. Who made thee a Iudge ouer vs Noting that men must not auenge without authority therefore our Sauiour Christ bade Peter put vp his sword when he cut off Malchas eare with a reason Because who so auengeth without a calling shall perish by the sword Wee must therefore commit our case to God as our Sauiour Christ did for he can also doe it most wisely and most righteously 1 Pet. 2. 23. wee will doe it foolishly and partially as wee see in daily experience Leaue it to him he will not faile to do it and well too 2 When we reuenge our own wrongs we leaue the Lord nothing to do except it be to turne his wrath from our enemy on whom wee haue beene reuenged already to our selues for our sin of reuenging as Pro. 24. 17 18. 3 When we reuenge we doe we know not what we consider not who smote vs. It s the Lord
bring them to Heauen and therefore vrge them to look further which they are not willing to doe and this makes them wish they were all out of the way for they onely trouble the world they should be quiet but for them And thus our Sauiour Christ and the Gospell bring variance not into the same Towne where before all went hand in hand to sinne but into the same Family because some will receiue the Gospell and the power of it some others will not therefore they are now at oddes that were all one before in euill This sinne hath most fearfully ouer-spread this Nation so that its more safe from the hatred and ill tongues of most to bee any thing rather than to be zealous and godly A fearfull thing Euery man loues a couragious souldier a diligent and resolute seruant for his Master a man forward in his businesse onely forwardnesse and zeale for God and in Religion that cannot bee endured These be they that be the troublers and a burthen to the places where they be and so to the Land and bee railed on as the vilest persons when as yet these are perhaps vpon their knees pleading with God for the Nation when multitudes are swilling and swearing and prouoking Gods wrath against it therefore we haue small cause to be weary of them the Land no doubt fares the better for them euery day Is this the fruit of aboue threescore yeares peace and plenty of the Gospell wherein it had been meet we had all beene such as I meane that is zealous and true hearted Christians that now those few that labour to shew forth the power of true godlinesse in an vniuersall obedience to the Word they professe that these should be had in derision and be a wonder in Israel As sure as we liue if all in this Land serued God as it is to be feared some doe in an idle and meere ceremonious cōming to Church hearing of Sermons and receiuing the Sacrament and yet liue as they list and keep their lusts still and the sinnes they haue a minde to God would soone ease himselfe of vs and vomit vp such a lukewarme Nation for how odious is this to God to haue people draw neare to him with their lips when their hearts are diuided from him and run after their sinnes to heare his Word and hate to be reformed or to mend a little in what they list and no further than they please to call vpon God and yet depart not from euill in receiuing the Lords Supper to professe Faith in Christ and obedience to all Gods commandements and in their liues to shew the clean contrary euery day what is this but to prouoke God against vs and to deceiue our owne soules And as for those particular persons that are haters of Gods true seruants they are no such themselues and their state is fearful For they are not led by the spirit that Dauid and Cornelius was and which I pray God I may euer be They be no true Members of the Church here nor shall bee heires of Gods Kingdome hereafter as Psal. 15. 4. None of Christs Disciples who are known by louing their Brethren Iohn 13. 35. nor are translated from death to life 1 Iohn 3. 14. but remaine vnder death to this houre Nor haue any loue to God in them 1 Iohn 5. 1. for if they loued him that begetteth they would loue those that are begotten of him But they are of the seed of the Serpent bearing enmity against the seed of the Woman against Christ in his members of Cains linage of the broode of Ismael worse than Balaam Numb 23. that said How shall I curse where God hath not cursed or detest where God hath not detested are led by Sathan who is an accuser of the Brethren Reuel 12 10. who prouide wofully for themselues for God said to Abraham and so to all that be of the seed of Abraham by true faith I will blesse them that blesse thee and curse them that curse thee Their ill will is indeed against Christ and reacheth to him as he said from heauen to Saul Why persecutest thou me and It s hard kicking against the pricks Looke throughout all the Scriptures and you shall see that fearefull iudgements haue ouertaken the haters and pursuers or opposers of the true seruants of God Later Histories of the Church and our owne daily experience affords abundance of very true sensible and fearfull examples in this kinde And if at the day of iudgement they that haue done them no good shall be set on the left hand and heare this dolefull sentence Goe yee cursed c. then what shall become of them that haue hated them and done them hurt Let euery one therefore that hath beene guilty in this thing repent deepely of it as there is cause and so shake off this blacke and fearefull Marke else the time will come when they shall wish and would thinke themselues happy to bee shadowed vnder their wing whom now they hate when they shall see them receiued and themselues refused Yet here againe let me put in this by the way that I count not those for Gods true seruants who are such onely in Profession and not in their Practice Some zealous Professors there are which yet are not so diligent in their callings as they ought to be Some not so carefull to keep out of debt or not to pay their debts but hang on euery bush and breake promises shamefully to the iust opening the mouthes of their Neighbours Some bee rash and indiscreete giuen to censure too deepely Some spend all their zeale in crying out against Ceremonies and neglect matters more belonging to edifying themselues and others Some forsake their owne Ministers when they preach very vncharitably and indiscreetly Some separate themselues from the Church and our Ministrie and Societie altogether Now if a Minister or any Christian shall shew his dislike of such courses in generall or rebuke any particular person for any of them hee is not to bee ill thought of for so doing nor to be reputed an hater of Gods seruants Fourthly there are diuers sorts of them that be no open enemies to Gods children that yet will bee found no other when God shall come to iudgement and therefore here to be discouered and reproued They bee not with them therefore they bee against them They can sit and heare them vniustly euill spoken of and yet be neuer greeued nor once open their mouthes in their behalfe That pry into their liues and if they can spy a hole in their coate they reproach them by it and tell it from one to another and that with no griefe Can cast out a scoffe against them That care not for their company Delight rather in those that spend the time in telling Newes or Tales of this or that body with these they can sit long but for other that will hold to any godly speech they take no pleasure in them They make matches with such
rather than with those inuite them and loue their company to chuse These be lukewarme Christians Neuters neyther the one nor the other of both sides of euery side but God can see them to bee Enemies and will set them on his left hand when it will not serue them to pleade that they neuer hated them or opposed them Let men looke well to this Point for there bee many that thinke well of themselues for good Christians that yet will be found of this number But as they can haue no sound peace to their Consciences so shall they neuer haue good name in the Church of God till it bee otherwise Fiftly and lastly let this bee a Consolation to all those whose hearts doe beare witnesse and their practice bewray that they truly loue the Saints they can haue no better signe of the grace of God or that they bee true Members of the Church here and shall bee inheriters of glory hereafter that they loue God be Christs Disciples and be translated from death to life Alwaies prouided that you deceiue not your selues in this point as no doubt diuers doe To thinke that because you loue some one or two choyce ones that you are a louer of Gods people though you neglect all the rest which is not so for whosoeuer loues any in truth loues the grace of God in whomsoeuer hee sees it rich or poore high or low Or because you loue some that bee of your Kinne or for some outward good qualification they haue or some common gift of learning eloquence or because they bee rich or bee such as haue done you some pleasure or may doe for if your loue bee set vpon Gods seruants for such by respects this is not the true Loue of the Saints But if you loue them simply for the worke of Gods sanctifying grace that yousee or hear to be in them though you neuer saw them nor neuer shall yet for the grace of God your heart is knit to them as Ionathans to Dauid or if you know and liue neare them◠though they neuer did you any speciall good turne or be nothing to you outwardly and in the flesh nay though any such haue reproued you of some fault they haue seene in you yet you loue them for the Image of God that shines in them yea though you see heare or know some imperfections in them and things worthy blame yet seeing signes of synceritie you loue them notwithstanding are glad when they doe well and grieue at the contrary this is good Examine your selues by these things if you bee taken tardy then deceiue your selues no longer If your heart witnesse on your side by these tryals then be comforted and labour to encrease in this grace that so your euidence may be strong And the rather because this hath kept many from sinking in time of Temptation when all other euidences haue beene to seeke Thus much of the loue that all ought to beare to the People of God CHAP. 10. How true Christians should loue each other NOw I will adde yet one thing more and that is How true Christians should loue and carry themselues towards each other They ought to loue one another most entirely and more than they doe or can loue the common sort They must loue them as fellow-members of the same mysticall body whereof Christ is the head Now how do the members of the natural body loue sticke together and seeke the good of each other defend and tender one another reioyce in each others wel-fare and grieue at the contrary so ought the Members of the spirituall body much more if it were possible Wee cannot loue all thus for all are not fellow-members in this body of Christ. Secondly they must loue as brethren therefore the loue that is to bee betweene them is called Brotherly kindenesse 2 Pet. 1. 7. Therefore though some scoffing Ismaels deride this name and say Oh you bee of the Brethren yet wee are not to bee ashamed of this name seeing GOD so speakes Gods children be brothers and sisters they haue the same Father which is God the same Mother the Church begotten by the same immortall seed the Word of God nourisht with the same milke and meat of the same Word and holy Sacraments heires of the same Inheritance in Heauen by Christ Iesus A better Brother-hood than that of nature as much as the spirit is better than the flesh Yea and a more lasting Brother-hood that will last when this is vanisht away which lasteth onely for this fraile life of ours but the other abideth for euer Therefore our Sauiour Christ said Who is my Mother and who are my Brethren Naturall Brethren ought to loue dearely how much more we that are of a better kindred It s very pleasing to God our Father and to the Church our Mother that all their children should liue in loue as Psal. 133. 1. and a ioy to all the brothers and sisters As it is a ioy to any earthly Parents to haue their children loue well together and the contrary is very grieuous and they will mourne to each other There be two Boyes can neuer agree two Girles that loue not one another what will they doe when we are gone Now to loue as Brethren is this To haue Brotherly affections each to other inwardly and to declare the same outwardly by brotherly actions For the first we are bidden Rom. 12. Be affectioned to lòue one another as to weep with them that weepe to haue compassion of their miseries as Heb. 13. 9. As the Samaritan had compassion on the man that fell among Theeues And our Sauiour Christ had compassion on the spirituall miserie of the People Mat. 9. 36. St. Paul was affected with the miseries of the Iewes and tooke them deepely to heart Rom. 9. 1 2 3. So Nehemiah hearing of the distresse of the Church of the Iewes at Ierusalem though hee were well himselfe yet he so mourned for them as it was seene in his face The contrary is blamed Amos 6. No man is sorry for the affliction of Ioseph So to reioyce with them that reioyce as Luke 1. 58. yea though it were ill with ourselues As Paul in prison yet reioyced to heare of the welfare of the Churches These brotherly affections bee so necessary as all brotherly actions not proceeding from these are in no account with God As a man may giue all his goods to the poore and haue no loue and so bee but a tinckling Cimball 1 Cor. 13. As if a man should giue that hee might merit thereby or to purchase credit or for companies sake or with vpbraiding and from no compassion of the poore mans misery it would neither please God nor profit him that doth it So to admonish one which is a speciall duety of Loue but if done with twitting reproaching as glad they haue some matter against him it hath lost his grace and reward with God And herein the poore may shew as much loue to their