MY last Discourses to you, were an Explication of that great Command and Counsel of [Page 2]our Blessed Lord Jesus; Of striving to enter in at the strait Gate. In my Di­rections to you for your regular pursuit of this important Charge, among other things I recommended to you the Apo­stle Paul's Prescription, Gal. 5.16. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the Lust of the Flesh.

It was my Purpose at this Time to have made a further Progress in that Matter, but having received an Intima­tion, that my dear Brother and Fellow. Labourer now Deceased; had found such Comfort in his Meditations on this Scripture in his Prospect of Death, that he expressed his Desires, that his Fune­ral Sermon might be upon this Text: His pious Desire (that others might [...]e comforted with the Comfort where with he was comforted of God) prevailed with me (though upon a short Warn­ing) to turn my Thoughts to this Scrip­ture, and the rather, because (your Hearts being softned by this mournful Providence) the Truth contained i [...] this Text might possibly make the dee [...] ­er Impression upon you.

I cannot let you into the full Under­standing [Page 3]of the Apostles Triumphant Conclusion, except I lead you to the first Rise and Head of it. In ver. 1. He give us the Consequence of his for­mer Doctrine, he had largely asserted and proved in the foregoing Chapters, That we are justified by Grace, and freed from the Law. From these Truths he lays down this comfortable Conclusion as most evident and certain. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. This Conclu­sion is full: No Condemnation, neither by God, nor Law, nor Conscience; and it is universally true to all that are in Christ.

But because this Conclusion is the Corner-stone, and must sustain the weight of all the superstructure, he first limits it to those that are in Christ, and explains what he means by giving them their true Character. They walk not af­ter the Flesh, but after the Spirit.

Next he proves his Assertion, by its Parts. 1. That there is no Condem­nation to such. This he argues in the Four following Verses. His Argument is this, the condemning Law is superse­ded, [Page 4]he grants there was a Covenant of Works, which being broken, was to us a Law of Sin and Death. It charged us with Sin, and that dueness of the Curse. But then he shows there is ano­ther Law (which he calls a Law of the Spirit of Life) that is a Covenant of Grace, promising Life, as also the Assi­stance of the Spirit: And this Law be­ing a remedying Law sets us free from the former.

2. The Limitation and Character of the Persons to whom this Freedom is li­mited, he proves and explains in the following Verses, shewing that it must be the natural Genius and Temper of those that are in Christ, to mind the things of the Spirit; as those that are af­ter the Flesh will naturally mind the things of the Flesh, ver. 5.

From the great Love of God, and the sure Foundation of it, he proceeds to make some Inferences, as 1. That then we are Debtors to God in point of Ho­liness, ver. 12. and in ver. 31. He heaps up many Inferences of Consolation.

1. That if God be thus engaged to be for us as our Father and Protector, [Page 5]none can be against us to our hurt.

2. He infers, that seeing God hath given us Christ, we may expect what ever shall be necessary for the Compleat­ment of our Happiness.

3. He infers, that the malicious or er­ronious Accusations of Men, are of no Consideration, ver. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the Charge of Gods Elect? Be­cause, 1. There is no Tribunal but Gods, and if he acquit us, 'tis no mat­ter who Condemns us. 2. Christ did all his Work of Redemption compleat­ly, ver. 34. Not only Dying, but Ri­sing again to make Intercession for us.

4. Hence he infers in a Triumphant Assurance, the impossibility of our Se­paration from the Love of God, ver. 35. Who shall separate us from the Love of God? &c. That the Strength of this Inference may more fully appear, I shall distinctly Note these Particulars.

1. The Subject spoken of, The Love of God. Whether it be God's Love to us, or our Love to God is questioned; some think both are intended, and that it is impossible that it should fail on ei­ther Part. But surely Gods Love to us [Page 6]is chiefly intended: For on our part in it self it's too possible, that under such Temptations our Love and Faith might fail. But the impossibility ariseth from God's Will: He will not suffer our Love to fail. So that ultimately the not failing of our Love, is resolved in­to Gods unchangeable Love. And beside the Expressions of the last Verse of this Chapter. The Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, doth clearly Point at Gods Love to us.

2. The next thing asserted is our Non-Separation from this Love. The Word in the Greek [...] is the same Word that is used, Mat. 19.6. with respect to the Jewish Divorces. So that the mean­ing is, Though Gods Love may some­time be hidden, yet there will never be a Divorce or Eternal Separation.

3. The Impossibility of this Separation appears in this Discourse two Ways.

1. By an Enumeration of those things that might seem possible to effect a Sepa­ration, but cannot; these the Apostle ranges into Two Classes. 1. No kind or degrees of Sufferings. Here he reck­ons up several hard things. Shall tribu­lation, [Page 7]distress, &c? 2. No outward Powers. Neither fear of Death, nor hope of Life, nor Devils, nor persecu­ting Rulers, nor heighth of Advance­ment, nor depth of Ignominy and Re­proaches; and least any thing else should be pretended, he adds, nor any other Creature, as an, &c. including all.

2. The Impossibility of this Separati­on is imply'd in his manner of speaking by continued Interrogation, Who shall separate? As also by his Assurance, I am perswaded; [...] though it some­time signifie no more than a Moral Per­swasion, yet here it signifies undoubted Assurance, like the Phrase in Rom. 14.14. and 2 Tim. 2.12. I know and am perswaded.

The Doctrine I shall now draw out of these Words, is this;

The Consideration of the Infiniteness and Ʋnchangeableness of God's Love, is sufficient to guard our Hearts from all Affrightments, that may arise from all that may befal us in this World.

To make way for the Application of this Truth, I shall explain and prove these Three Things.

I. That God's Love to Elect Belie­vers is Infinite.

II. That this Love of God is Ʋn­changeable.

III. That the Consideration of Gods Infinite and Unchangeable Love, is a sweet Cordial in all Distresses, and a Guard against all Affrightments of Fear, to all that are in Christ.

I. That God's Love to Elect Believers is Infinite, admirably Great. All Gods Attributes, even those that are called Communicable (such as his Power, Wis­dom, Justice, Love, &c.) are in God infinitely, eternally, and unchangea­bly. His Love therefore in Scripture is crowned with the Epithite [Great] His great Love wherewith he loved us, Eph. 2.4. His Love, his Power, his Understanding are commensurate with his Infinite Greatness. Thus David ar­gues, Psalm 147.5. Great is our Lord, and of great Power: his Ʋnderstanding is Infinite.

But that we might have a more easie [Page 9]Satisfaction and Apprehension of the Love of God, the Scripture commends the greatness of Gods Love to us, un­der Three Considerations.

The First is by comparing the won­derful Greatness of God, with the Ob­ject of his Love. This Consideration Holy David insists on, Psalm 113.4, 5. The Lord is high above all Nations, and his Glory above the Heavens: Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on High? That is, He is so great, that his merciful regard of the highest crea­ted Beings, Things in Heaven, much more of the lower World, Things on Earth, is so far below his glorious Great­ness, that it is a kind of abasement to him to behold them, ver. 6. He hum­bleth himself, to behold the Things that are in Heaven, and in the Earth. He humbleth himself to behold these things that are so far below him. That would be a strange unaccountable Love, that should make a great Prince set his Heart upon a Worm or Fly, to regard, feed and watch over it; and we are as mean if compared to an Infinite God. The Nations are as the drop of a Bucket, or [Page 10]the small Dust of the Ballance: They are counted to him as nothing, and if any thing can be lower, less than nothing, Isa. 40.15, 17. The Inhabitants of the Earth, are but as Grashoppers, ver. 22.

This Consideration was David's Me­ditation in Psalm 8. when his Thoughts were upon the Wing, mounting up­ward toward the excellent Glory of the Divine Majesty, he almost looseth the sight of Man. What is Man? v. 4. At last his Contemplation carries him to an Admiration of Gods Love and Care over so low a Creature. What is Man? But oh how great is God's Love in be­ing mindful of him, so as to visit him! Which is further explained by Job 7.17. What is Man that thou shouldest mag­nifie him! That thou shouldest set thy Heart upon him! That thou shouldest visit him every Morning! But if we should place Man in an higher Degree, and consider him as a Servant, yet still Gods Love looseth not its Lustre, because at best we are but unprofitable Servants, Luke 17.10. If we should do all that we are commanded, we do but that which was our Duty to do, and which [Page 11]we owe to God upon the Right of Crea­tion; yet we merit nothing. God hath no Advantage or Profit by our Service, Job 22.2, 3. Can a Man be profitable unto God? What gain is it to him that thou makest thy ways perfect.

If Man at best be so far below the De­sert of God's Love, How great will this Love appear, if we consider Man as sin­ful! Thus we are become Enemies, not only breakers of his Law, but opposite thereto, and withal were helpless, and could do nothing for our selves. Both these the Apostle takes Notice of, Rom. 5.6. as a transcendant Manifestation of God's Love; and ver. 8. God commend­eth his Love to us.

2. The Scriptures set forth the great­ness of Gods Love, by the great and wonderful Benefits bestowed on us. We usually measure Love by the Fruits of it. The Fruits of Gods Love can­not be numbred; particularly the Pro­mises are so loaden with them, that they are justly called exceeding Great and Pre­cious Promises. In the gross, They are things that pertain unto Life and Godli­ness, 2 Pet. 1.3. All spiritual Blessings [Page 12]in heavenly Places, Eph. 1.3. The Bles­sings of this Life and that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. All that is within the Circumference of Grace and Glory, Psalm 84.11.

3. But above all Gods Love is mag­nified by the Method, which his Infi­nite Wisdom pitched upon for the bring­ing about his Purpose of Love; this was the sending Christ to Die for Sinners. This was such an adorable Mystery of Wisdom and Love, that the Angels de­sire to look into it. Christ himself speaks of it as transcendant beyond Compari­son. God so loved the World, that he sent his only begotten Son, &c. John 3.16. and in 1 John 4.9, 10. The Apo­stle represents it as the most glorious Publick Manifestation of Love. In this was manifested the Love of God towards us, because that God sent his only Son in­to the World. Herein is Love, &c.

II. The second thing that I am to ex­plain and prove, is, That this Love of God is Ʋnchangeable. It is frequently called an Everlasting Love, Jer. 31.3. I have loved thee with an Everlasting Love. His Mercy endureth for ever. [Page 13]Having loved his own, he loved them un­to the end, John 13.1. And it must needs be so, if it be considered.

1. That Gods Nature is Unchangea­ble. God asserts it, Mal. 3.6. I am the Lord, I change not. Psalm 102.25, 26. The Heavens and the Earth shall perish, but thou shalt endure. Thou art the same, and thy Years shall have no end. James 1.17. With God is no variableness, nei­ther shadow of Turning.

The Unchangeableness of Gods Na­ture is evident by the very Light of Reason. All that believe the Existence of God, will yield, that Deus est ens ne­cessarium & Independens. God is a ne­cessary and Independant Being. That God is Self-existent is an Original and Fundamental Idea, which we are to have of God. This Monsieur Abbadie proves in his Vindication of the Christian Religion, Sect. 2. Cap. 2. And from this necessity of his Being, he deduceth his Immutability. For if God depend not upon any other Being, nor receive any thing from any other Being, his Essence cannot then be varied. And if his Na­ture is Unchangeable, his Will is also [Page 14]Unchangeable. It is true, God doth sometime change his Promises and Threatnings, but his Purposes he chan­geth not. Mutat Sententiam sed non Decretum. Men usually change their declared Purposes, because all Men are Liers, and so break their Promises; or they Promise without due Considerati­on, and when any thing happens which they foresaw not, they repent. But it cannot be thus with God. My Counsel shall stand, I have purposed it, I will al­so do it, Isa. 49.10, 11. The Reason of this we have in Numb. 23.19. God is not a Man that he should lie, neither the Son of Man, that he should repent.

2. That Gods Love is Unchangea­ble will further appear, if we consider that his Love is bottomed upon a cer­tain Foundation, His own free Purpose, and Christs Purchase. This Reason the Apostle doth not obscurely suggest in the Text, None can separate us from Gods Love, because it is a Love to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Had it been built upon the sandy Foundation of our Merit, we might have feared the failure of it upon every miscarriage or failure of Duty.

III. The Third Thing to be explain­ed is, That the Consideration of Gods Infinite and Unchangeable Love is a sweet Cordial in all Distresses, and a Guard against all Affrightments of Fear to all those that are in Christ. For,

1. Those that are in Christ being re­conciled and pardoned, may be assured, that however God may change his Coun­tenance toward them, yet he will not change his Heart. He may be angry, but Anger and Love are consistent. All Men may be convinced of this. Pa­rents may be angry with their Children, and yet love them. It is true, that Pa­rental Corrections will be grievous to in­genuous Children, they will mourn un­der them; and thus God's Anger will be an heavy Burden to his Children, as their Complaints and Sorrows do abun­dantly Witness. Yet God would have us to consider his Love in his Rod, Heb. 12.6. Whom the Lord loveth he chasten­eth. To be without Chastisement is an Evidence, that we are Bastards, and not Sons. God may be angry but he never changeth his Love into hatred.

2. The greatest outward Afflictions [Page 16]are so managed by God, that if we could duely observe his dealings with us, we might perceive his Love inter­mixed with the Lashes of his Rod. All the while he manifests a fatherly Pity and Compassion. Fury is not in him. He hath a gentle Hand to the weak: He remembers their Mold and Fashion. They have also secret Supports and sea­sonable Deliverances.

3. All these Distresses are so far from separating his Children from his Love that as he orders them, they Work to­gether for their good. Their Graces are hereby exercised, encreased, and made bright, as your Vessels are by scouring. So that their Distresses yield the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness to those that are exercised thereby, Heb. 12.11. They are hereby brought into nearer Communion with God; and at last, he lifts up the Light of his Countenance upon them, like clear shining after Rain.

4. It is further evident, that all out­ward Troubles cannot separate them from the Love of God, because he doth evidently strengthen their Hearts under [Page 17]them, so that they prevail not to draw them off from God. This Argument the Apostle fixeth on a Demonstration of what he had asserted, In all these things we are more than Conquerors. It's a glorious Victory to stand in an Evil Day, when Satan hath drawn up all his Forces against us: 'Tis a glorious Victory not only to escape without Loss, but to gain by his Opposition; thus we out-shoot him in his own Bow. And all this, sine Labore & Sudore, easily through Divine Assistance.

5. All these Troubles do not so much as render us less Lovely in Gods Eyes. God is not as Man; Men judge often by outward Appearance, Gods Chil­dren are often blackened with false Ac­cusations and Reproaches; but God will not judge them according to Men's Misrepresentations. You have a clear instance of it in that Scripture which hath been so much abused. He hath not beheld Iniquity in Jacob, neither hath be seen perversness in Israel. The mean­ing is not, that the Omniscient God doth not see, or that an Holy God can­not be angry at the Transgressions of [Page 18]his People. But thus we are to under­stand it. Balaam was upon a Design of cursing Israel, Balak would have re­presented them as a Company of Rob­bers, that came to destroy and invade a Country that was not their own, but being not able to prevail, he gives this for a Reason, That God would not judge of them as they had represented them, nor deal with them according to their Desires and Condemnation.

6. The Consideration of Gods Love, hath a Power in it to sweeten our great­est Afflictions, and to take out the sting and venom out of the worst of out Troubles. If we have Gods Love, we have more than all the World can give us, it will counter-ballance all Trou­bles, and make up all Losses of out­ward Comforts.

Having explained these three Thing, I shall conclude with some Applicato­ry Inferences suitable to the present mournful Occasion. As,

1. If the Love of God be such a Cordial and Guard, let it be our great endeavour to get an Interest in this Love. This is the one thing necessary. If [Page 19]any ask, How must this be done? I shall only tell them, they must seek to be in Christ. The first Application of this Love is made in Conversion, though Gods Purpose of loving was before. Yet we were Children of Wrath, till God by Conversion, and the new Birth translate us from the Power of Darkness to the Kingdom of his Dear Son, then and not till then is Gods gracious Pur­pose brought into Act.

2. Let us adore, admire and medi­tate upon Gods Infinite Unchangeable Love. And this not only in General, but in a Particular Application of it to our selves, as the Apostle, Gal. 2.20. Who loved me, and gave himself for me.

3. 'Tis most natural to infer from Gods great Love to us, That it is our Duty, and should be our Care, To walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, Col. 1.10.

4. If the Love of God be so great a Cordial and Guard against our Fears, we should make use of it as such, and oppose our Fears by the Consideration of it. This was David's Shield and Buckler on all such Occasions, Psalm [Page 20]23.4. He resolves against his greatest Fears in a confident Reliance on Gods Love and Presence. Though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no Evil, for thou art with me. Yea in Troubles that carry the appea­rance of Gods Chastisements, he is re­lieved by the Apprehension of Gods Love, Psalm 49.5, 15. Wherefore should I fear in the Days of Evil, when the Ini­quity of my heels shall compass me about. For God will redeem my Soul from the Power of the Grave.

5. Let us not mourn as those that have no Hope, for the Death of God­ly Persons. They Die in Gods Love and Death is so far from separating them from the Love of God; that it [...] Gods Porter to open the Door of Eter­nity to them, and so to give them a [...] immediate entrance into the full Enjoy­ment of his Love. When Death hath done its worst, they that enter into Rest go off with Triumph. O Death where is thy Sting? O Grave where is thy Vi­ctory?

6. This may be a Caution against the usual Presumptions of Men, who [Page 21]are apt to be too bold in interpreting Gods Providences in the Death of his Servants. They are too sawcy and bold with God, when they take upon them to assign a Reason, why God takes any of his Servants out of the World, and so determine what Gods Design is in so doing.

It hath pleased God Almighty, and the All-wise Disposer of all things to make another Breach upon us. 'Tis not long since he took Mr. Pell from us, and now he hath called home Mr. Manlove, both of them excellent Men, worthy Ministers of the Gospel, singu­larly (both of them) fitted with Abi­lities for their Work. They were suc­cessively my Dear Brethren, and Fel­low-Labourers in this Part of Gods Vineyard. It must be acknowledged, that it is a stroke to be lamented; and if we look upon the present Providence, we may have some Cause to fear, that when God is discharging his Servants from his Work, and paying them their Wages, That he may shortly break up his House with us.

Let none rejoyce at it, nor say, Aha [Page 22]so would we have it. Neither should others Despond: Who knows the end of the Lord? 'Tis easie for him to make up our loss, if we submissively wait for him. If his Love be unchangeable to single Persons, we may conclude it will be so to faithful Churches. There are I hope many of you that hear me, that can stand forth and Witness, that you have seen his Power and Glory in his Sanctuary: You have felt and tasted the Power and Goodness of God in your Conversion, quickning and Comforting in his Ordinances in this Place: And I hope, that Christ who delights to walk among his Golden Candlesticks, will not now separate us from his Love, nor remove the Candlestick out of its Place.

THIS Scripture I opened to you the Last Day upon a special Oc­casion, which I then acquainted you [Page 24]withal. That Discourse had the better Part of that Entertainment which the Apostle Paul's had at Athens, Acts 17.32. I have not heard nor believe that any here had such slight Thoughts of Gods Love to Man, as to mock at the Discourse; yet I have met with some that desire to hear again of that Matter.

I need not repeat what hath been spoken. But because the Love of God is a noble Subject, and so vasily large, that our Thoughts cannot reach it to any suitable Comprehension, nor can our Tongues express the Breadth, Length, Depth and Heighth of it, Eph. 3.17. So that when we have said all we can, there is still Matter for more: I shall now add something to what was spoken, which was the less because I was forced to be short, to give Room for the Funeral which waited our At­tendance upon it.

All that I shall now add shall be

I. To speak something in General of the Love of God.

II. To set before you the wonderful Priviledges and Advantages, that flow in upon us from the Fountain of Di­vine Love. And then,

III. To recommend the Contempla­tion of Gods Love to you, that your Thoughts may be taken up with the Wonders of it.

I. In General, the Love of God is not a meer Quality in God, but his very Essence. God is Love, 1 John 4.8. This Love in God is a necessary result of his Goodness, which is his very Na­ture. There is none Essentially, Abso­lutely, and Perfectly Good but God, Mat. 19.17. This Goodness God lets forth to all Creatures, yet not with an Equality; but so as might best shew forth his Sove­raignty in doing with his own as he pleased: And his Wisdom in adorning the World with a beautiful variety of Creatures, of differing Perfections ac­cording to their different Kinds and U­ses. Hence it is usual to distinguish the Goodness of God into

First, A General Goodness to all Crea­tures. All that he Created he saw was very Good. And ever since he is good to all, and his Mercy is over all his Works. His Mercy is in the Heavens. Angels share in it, Psalm 36.5. And extends over all the Earth, He preserveth Man and Beast, ver. 6.

Secondly, A Special Goodness to Man. Though he be little, if compared with the Infinite Perfections of the glorious God, that it is a Wonder that God should be mindful of him, Psalm 8.4. Much more that he should magnifie him, Job 7.17. Yet is he so exalted above all his Fellow-Creatures of the Inferiour World, that he is made but a little low­er than the Angels, and Lord of the Works of his Hands, ver. 5, 6. of Psalm 8. Nor hath God left himself without a Witness of his singular Care and Pro­vidence over him, in that he doth good, and gives us Rain and fruitful Seasons, filling our Hearts with Food and Glad­ness.

Thirdly, There is a most special Good­ness to his chosen Servants, which Da­vid in Contradistinction to the two for­mer calls Loving Kindness; How excel­lent is thy Loving Kindness, Psal. 36.7. This most special Goodness is called Love, which being understood in a most special Sense, differs from that common Goodness which God imparts to his Creatures, in that it signifies Gods special Delight and readiness to com­municate [Page 27]and unite himself to the Ob­ject Loved. Though this Love hath not properly different Degrees in God, for none of his glorious Attributes ad­mit of a more or less, yet the Scriptures give us leave to make a Distinction in Compliance to the weakness of our Understandings. So that usually the Love of God is said to be Threefold.

1. A Love of Benevolence, Gods E­ternal Good Will; this Christ speaks of John 3.16. God so loved the World, &c. And this is there spoken of, as Antece­dent to his giving Christ, and as a Cause of it. This Text is perplexed with Controversie, because of the ge­neral Word [the World] which some labour to stretch so as to comprehend every Man. But avoiding the Contro­versie, we may understand the Text thus, God so pitied lost Mankind, Gen­tiles as well as Jews, that he would not that all should perish, but that a Com­munity, a World of Elect ones should through Faith in Christ obtain Everla­sting Life.

2. A Love of Beneficence, which sig­nifies the Acts of Love brought forth in [Page 28]Time, after we had a Being, in pursu­ance of his Eternal Purpose and Good Will. Thus Christs Death, our Justifi­cation and Sanctification are the Mani­festation and Application of his Love, and called so, Eph. 5.25. Rev. 1.5.

3. A Love of Complacency, by which God rejoyceth over those that are in his Way and Method brought home to Christ. This is fully expressed in John 14.21, 23. Besides the Love of Bene­volence, My Father, and I will mani­fest a more intimate Love and kind Fa­miliarity.

Though I purposely avoided the ab­struse and difficult Questions about Gods Love, yet these Distinctions are neces­sary for the answering some Objections which might arise in your Hearts about the Unchangeableness of Gods Love. The Love of Complacency and Benefi­cence admits of Variations, of less or more; being but Manifestations and E­manations of Divine Love upon us, when yet his Love of Benevolence is the same.

II. The next thing I promised, was a further account of the Priviledges and [Page 29] Advantages which accrew to us by the Love of God, which are so great and numerous, that I cannot reckon them up in order to you. I must take up with that of David, Psalm 40.5, 6. Thy Thoughts to us-ward, cannot be rec­koned up in order unto thee: If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbred.

I will therefore in this Matter closely follow the Footsteps of those two great Apostles, the great Admirers and Preach­ers of Gods Love. The Apostle John in 1 John 3.1. reduces all the Privi­ledges of Love to this one, That we should be called, that is, have Power and Right to be, the Sons of God, as John 1.12. This if rightly studied, will appear to be so great a Love as cannot be fully expressed, but to be left to Ad­miration; Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us!

The Apostle Paul in this Eighth Chapter of the Romans, doth as it were Comment upon, and explain that of, 1 John 3. in pursuit of that grand Con­clusion, Rom. 8.1. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them which are [Page 30]in Christ Jesus. That the Odours of this precious Oyntment might be fur­ther diffused for the Refreshment of all that are in Christ (which he describes by the Power and Influence of the Ho­ly Spirit over them) he sets himself to declare the Priviledges of such, and fixeth first upon our Sonship; ver. 12. As the Apostle John did, but he endea­vours a more particular Enumeration of our Priviledges, yet so that he re­duceth them all to this of our being the Children of God. The Advantages which he insists upon, arising from this grand Priviledge, are Three.

First, If we are Sons, we partake of the Spirit of our Father, and this we do several Ways;

1. We are Led by the Spirit, ver. 14. Whether we read the Verse backward or forward it holds true, As many as are led by the Spirit, are the Sons of God. And as many as are the Sons of God have been, and shall still be led by the Spirit. Let us take in this Consideration toge­ther with that of Sonship; and then say, Oh! What manner of Love is this, that we who were afar off, both in re­spect [Page 31]of sinful Indisposition and Enmi­ty, should be made so near, as to be­come Children! That we should be changed in the Spirit of our Mind! That we should by the Spirits leading, Teaching and Influence, be made con­formable to the Image of Christ, and so be made Partakers of a Divine Na­ture, and should have the Spirit (by whom we were wrought up to this ve­ry thing) to be our constant Tutor and Guide!

2. By the Spirit another Advantage is given, ver. 15. The Spirit is to us a Spirit of Adoption, that is, a childlike Disposition, to Love God, to depend upon him with a child-like Trust and [...]onfidence, and in an humble boldness [...]nd freedom, being made Children; God would not have us to Act under a [...]avish Principle of Fear, which is a Spirit of Bondage, but by a free and [...]ngenuous Love.

3. The Spirit is also a Spirit of Wit­ness and Assurance, ver. 16. The Spirit [...] self beareth Witness with our Spirit, [...]t we are the Children of God. It is [...]ecessary that Children should know [Page 32]their Father, it conduceth much to their Comfort and Government. This the Apostle urgeth upon the youngest Christians, as their Priviledge and Ad­vantage, 1 John 2.13. I write unto yo [...] little Children, because ye have known th [...] Father. The Spirit assists the Witnes [...] of our Conscience, clears our Doub [...] and gives comfortable Satisfaction These Advantages we have by the Spi­rit, and all these are necessarily contain­ed in the Priviledge of Sonship.

Secondly, Another Advantage by th [...] Priviledge of Sonship is noted, ver. 1 [...]. If Children, then Heirs. The same Lo [...] that makes us Children, provides an [...] heritance for us: This Inheritance [...] Apostle magnifies, 1. As Glorious at [...] Great; so Glorious, that though [...] must suffer as Christ did, before [...] come to the full Possession, yet the Gl [...] ­ry of that Inheritance is so great, th [...] our Sufferings are never to be mention­ed, nor compared to the Glory that is [...] be revealed, ver. 18.2. Because th [...] Certainty of that Inheritance, adds [...] small Lustre to the Glory of it. Th [...] Apostle shews us, that the Children [...] [Page 33] [...] have a full Certainty of it, and [...] live and rejoice in the Constant [...] Comfortable Expectation of it.

1. Not only by an Argumentation [...]awn from our present Pressures and [...]lictions, for so the whole Creation [...]aneth and expecteth a Freedom, ver. [...] 22. But,

2. We have the Pledge, and Earnest, [...] First-Fruits of it already, ver. 23. [...],

3. The Spirit helps forward and [...]vens our Hopes, We groan within [...]selves; and to help us further, our [...]pes are stronger by the Spirits Assi­ [...]e in our Prayers.

[...] By directing us to the Matter fit [...] prayed for. We know not what we [...] pray for as we ought, we are not [...]petent Judges of what is fit for us.

By exciting our Desires to an ear­ [...]ess, even groanings that cannot be [...], which is the Spirits Intercessi­ [...] us, ver. 26. So that by our Pray­ [...] our Hopes are confirmed; our De­ [...] come from himself, he knows and [...] them, and returneth the Answer [...] Prayers in inward Strength and [Page 34]Consolation, ver. 27. He that searcheth the Heart, knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, because he maketh Intercession for the Saints, according to the Will of God.

Thirdly, Another Advantage of Son­ship is also mentioned, ver. 28. All things shall Work together for Good. Children expect Good, and not Hu [...] from Parents: So our Sonship assur [...] us, that whatever Troubles or Distres­ses we may meet with, they shall at la [...] by Gods over-ruling Disposal, Wo [...] out our Advantage. Oh what mann [...] of Love is this, that we should be ma [...] the Children of God! We have the [...] by the Gift of the Spirit, to lead an [...] teach us, until Christ be formed in [...] and as a constant Guide of our Way And hereby also we have free aceess [...] God, and Dependance on him: [...] have also the comfortable Witness [...] our Interest in Divine Love, and F [...] ­ture Happiness in the Enjoyment [...] God: And by the same Spirit we hav [...] our Taste of Heaven on Earth, rej [...] ­cing in the Hope of the Glory of God [...] and in the mean time our Troubles be come our spiritual Advantage.

I now take hold on the Opportuni­ty, which these Considerations offer me to urge you to a serious Contemplati­on of Gods Love to us. Let your Thoughts be taken up with the Won­ders of Divine Love.

1. You will find that all the Saints that have exercised their Thoughts up­ [...] this Subject, have run themselves in­ [...] Wonder; and when they have [...]ought and spoken all they could, [...] have left the Rest to silent Admi­ [...]ion. This you may observe in our [...]essed Apostle in ver. 31. of this [...]ghth Chapter. What shall we then [...]to these Things? It is not only an [...]ontroulable Certainty that he means, [...]o can contradict or say ought against [...]se things? But an Expression of the [...]ccountable vastness of the Matter, [...]ch exceeded his Thoughts and Ut­ [...]ance. What Tongue, what Words [...] fully declare his Love?

The Apostle John expresseth a tran­ [...]rt of Admiration in these Words, [...] [...]ohn 3.1. Behold what manner of Love [...] Father hath bestowed upon us! There [...]othing among Men that can be liken­ed [Page 36]unto it; if that Priviledge and the Persons upon whom it is bestowed be considered. For Ʋs, who were Rebels and Enemies in our Minds by wicked Works, to be made Sons! Is this the manner of Men? Saul was convinced of Davids great Love to him by this Con­sideration, 1 Sam. 24.19. If a Man find his Enemy, will he let him go well away? It is not usual for Men so to do; but much less usual is it for Men to heap kindnesses upon Enemies. God's Love to us, far exceeds all that can be found among Men. David in Psalm 36. find some dark Resemblances whereby to er­press the extent of Gods Mercy an [...] Faithfulness. They are as high a [...] Heaven, ver. 5. Thy Mercy is in th [...] Heavens; and thy Faithfulness reache [...] unto the Clouds. ver. 6. Thy Righteous­ness is like the great Mountains; [...] Judgments are a great Deep. But whe [...] he comes to speak of Love, he finds [...] above Comparison, and speaks of it a [...] an unexpressible Excellency, ver. 7. How excellent is thy Loving Kindness. O God!

2. Least some should imagine that such Expressions of Admiration, are only the high flights of some peculiar Favourites, and that Christians of the common Rank are not much concern­ed herein, because it may seem to be above their reach; I shall in a few plain Interrogations suggest to you some Things in Gods Love, which will appear to be wonderful to all.

First, Who can tell the First spring of Love in God? What Extrinsical Motive could possibly have a bending influence upon the Divine Will? Who [...]uth been his Counsellor? Or who could oblige him by any Gift? Rom. 11.34.

Secondly, Who can give an Account of Discriminating Love? Why was Ja­cob loved, and not Esau? The Apo­ [...]le resolves it, Rom. 11.33. O the depth of the Riches, both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! Is it not a wonder that God should provide a Sa­viour for fallen Man, and none for faln Angels, and yet they were more noble Creatures.

Thirdly, Who can bound the Extent of Divine Love? None but he that [Page 38]hath set bounds to the Ocean, which it shall not pass. Who knows the Ex­tent of it, 1. As to Persons, that shall be saved by it? How great will be the General Assembly and Church of the First-born? The Rays of the Sun are not scattered by visiting a multitude of Objects, no more is Gods Love lessen­ed by having Mercy upon many. 2. Who can bound the Love of God, as to the Conditions of those that shall be saved. God doth not fix his choice to the Wise, Great or Noble Persons, 1 Cor. 1.26. Not many Wise Men after the Flesh, not many Mighty, not many Noble are called. But being no Respe­cter of Persons, he gives his Love to the most unlikely, and contrarily qua­lified, sometimes to the greatest of Sin­ners, to Persecuters: Thus Paul reckons himself a Pattern to them which should afterward believe, 1 Tim. 1.16.

Fourthly, Who can reckon up all the several Benefits of Love? Adoption, Justification, Sanctification, and Eter­nal Life, are frequently mentioned: But who can number his other Thoughts of Love to us-ward? Psalm 139.17. [Page 39] How Great is the Sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the Sand. Who can give an account of his Gracious Visits, his Tokens of Love, his particular answers of Prayers, his secret Strengthnings and Revivings? They that have endeavoured to compass and describe the whole Globe of Di­vine Love, must leave vast spaces upon which they must write, Terra Incog­nita.

Fifthly, Who can give a true Estimate of Gods Love? It far surpasseth all out­ward Comforts. Life, and the Con­tentments of it, is the chief of outward Comforts. But Gods Loving Kindness is better than Life, Psalm 63.3. It is above what our Senses can inform us of, 1 Cor. 2.9. Eye hath not seen, Ear hath not heard, neither hath entered into the Heart of Man, the things that God hath prepared for them that Love him. What we have received already of the first Fruits of this Love, will shew that what is to come is a great Felicity. But we cannot from all that know fully what those Pleasures are that are at Gods right Hand for evermore, 1 John [Page 40]3.2. It doth not yet appear what we shall be.

3. I shall add, That though we can­not fully comprehend what is the Breadth, and Length, and Depth, and Heighth of his Love which passeth Know­ledge, Eph. 3.18. Yet it is the Duty, and will be still the Advantage of all Saints to endeavour to possess their. Hearts deeply with a rooted and ground­ed Sense of Gods Love: This is the A­postle's Prayer for the Ephesians, and the Duty of all, That they may be able to comprehend with all Saints, ver. 18.

That it is our Duty will appear by the Advantages, which will follow up­on our endeavour: Some of the chief I shall enumerate. As,

First, The Sense of Gods Love will make us Thankful. Thankfulness is a natural return to great and undeserved Favours: The Heart being filled with this fulness of Gods Love, will find it self straitened till it give it self ease by venting it self in Praise, Psalm 116.12. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his Benefit, towards me?

Secondly, It will make us Humble. The Glory of Divine Love will beget Self-Reflections upon our Unworthi­ness: So it did with David, when God had promised him many Blessings by Nathan. See how he lessens himself, 2. Sam. 7.18. Who am I, O Lord God? [...]d what is my House, that thou hast [...]ought me hitherto? Undeserved Love [...]akes an Ingenuous Spirit to take shame [...] it self for former misbehaviour. When Gods Love to Ephraim had turn­ed him to Repentance, and so to Peace, he saw his former Miscarriages were [...] present Reproach; this ashamed and unfounded him, Jer. 31.19. Ezek. 16.63.

Thirdly, A Sense of Gods Love hath a special engaging and exciting Force [...]pon us to Obedience. It doth not on­ly oblige us, and make us Debters, as [...]om. 8.12. But by a powerful Inclina­tion, it doth most strongly move and incline. Fear of Wrath is a strong Compulsive, and we need it; but Love draws more effectually, because it be­gets a delight to do the Will of God; and because Cords of Love are the Bands [Page 42]of a Man, Hos. 11.4. Such obliging kindness as best suits a Man of Reason and Ingenuity.

Fourthly, Sense of Love will mightily strength and encourage us against all Sufferings. Love makes every thing easie. This was the Strength and Con­rage of all the Worthies mentioned a Heb. 11. This bore out all the Marty [...] in all Persecutions.

Fifthly, Sense of Love is that which gives sweetness to all Temporal Blessing [...]. Riches, Honour, Peace, if they be no [...] given in Love, may be our great [...]. Plagues, and will afford no Satisfact [...] ­on. Divine Love expressed in the [...] like the Philosophers Stone, change their Nature, and turns our rejoicing in them to a rejoicing in God.

Sixthly, Sense of Gods Love lead us to a Delighting in God. This [...] one of the great Duties recommended t [...] us, Psalm 37.4. The Particulars of the Advice given there, are all founded up­on the different Dealings of God with the Godly and Wicked, the Sum where­of is this: That God hath a peculiar loving Regard to Godly Men, as to [Page 43]vindicate them, ver. 6. To bless their [...]njoyments, ver. 16. To shelter them against Calamities, ver. 19. To direct their steps, ver. 23. If God delighteth in his Love to us, we should delight our selves in Love to Him.

The Contemplation of Gods Love [...]ill afford us sweet Thoughts. Love in is own Nature is a sweet Subject of Me­ [...]itation, affording Desire, Delight and by; and like a Plentiful Spring of Li­ving Waters which can never be exhau­ [...]ed, it will furnish us with such varie­ [...] of Matter, that we shall have no oc­ [...]sion to be weary of the Pursuit. Gods [...]houghts of Love will still be Precious, salm 139.17.

Men can delight themselves in Works of curious Art and Contrivance, in Works of Nature much more: With what delightful Diligence have some [...]en studied the wonderful Contrivance of the Humane Body, yea even of Worms and Flies? Others fill them­selves with Admiration in studying the great Globe of Heaven and Earth, and with Pleasure observe the Perfection of [...]eatures, as fitted for their Ends and U­ses, [Page 44]and the subserviency of them for the Beauty and Establishment of the Uni­verse, according to the Appointment of the Glorious and Wise Creator: And why then should not Christians make [...] their Pleasure to study the Infinite Lov [...] of God? This is more especially o [...] Concern, and will be the Delight Work and Joy of Heaven to Eternity.

Seventhly, Sense of Gods Love as [...] is the greatest Cordial in all Distresse [...] so it is the greatest Guard against a [...] Affrightments of Fear. The Children of God are exercised with Fears fre­quently, but there are two special Af­frightments against which the Apost [...] advanceth the Triumphant Assurance of the Text.

1. The First great Affrightment that afflicted Christians are distressed with is, That their Tribulations and Distres­ses are Argument of Wrath. Thus they are ready to conclude, If God had lo­ved us, would he have done thus unto us? This is too frequent: Trouble brings Sin to Remembrance; and a trembling Heart fears the worst: Thus Holy David discovered his Fear, Psal [...] [Page 45]6.1. O Lord rebuke me not in thine An­ger, neither chasten me in thy hot displea­sure.

But a due Consideration of Gods Love will remove this Affrightment, in that none of these things are undoubted Characteristical Marks of Gods Hatred; they are no part of the damning Curse, but an humbling mark set upon us for our Tryal and Exercise, after all the damning Part was removed. Hence the Apostle, 1 Tim. 2.15. speaking of the Woman who had a particular mark of Displeasure set upon her, tells us, She may be saved — notwithstanding her sorrowful Child-bearing. And in this place, the Apostle takes away this fear, by telling us, In all such things we are more than Conquerors.

2. The Second Affrightment is, That these Distresses might tempt us to turn off from God and Holiness; and this might separate us from the Love of God. This Affrightment is removed, by the Consideration that our standing is bot­tomed upon Gods Unchangeable Love. It is possible enough for us and our Graces to fail, if we had not a greater [Page 46]Strength than our own to bear [...] So sure is Gods Foundation, [...] will take care for Perseverance. [...] great Affrightment, which is too [...] ­nary with the Timerous, Ah I [...] shall fall and miscarry at last, is, [...] sweetly answered, If it was Gods [...] that wrought up your Heart to [...] him, it will keep you, that you [...] not depart from him.

Eighthly, Sense of Gods Love to [...] will be a means to kindle and stir [...] our Love to God. We Love him, [...] cause he loved us. Love begets Lo [...] If God hath so loved us? Let us [...] deavour to Love Him.