the LORD is still musing and thinking of him of his Grace and Glory his Power and Prouidence his Truth Iustice Mercy c. His Head is on him his Heart goes with him his Spirit is present with him For the soule is present as well Vbiamat as vbi animat where it loues as where it liues and lisens As GODS loue to vs made come downe as it were to vs so our loue towards him makes vs go vp to him as his loue to men made him conuerse with men so mens loue to GOD makes them conuerse with him And as his loue to vs makes him present with vs to helpe and guide vs so our loue to him makes vs present with him to cleaue vnto him and to follow him His loue causeth him to thinke on vs and our loue maketh vs to thinke on him So that hee which in heart is present with him and doth meditate and thinke often on him may bee assured that the loue of GOD is in him It is true a man cannot but bee where GOD is because hee is euery where Doe not I fill heauen and earth saith the LORD Yet this presence is rather absence when our heart is absent euen as his presence is but absence if his loue be absent A friend is then present when hee is at hand to helpe and his thoughts are to relieue and hee loues truely whose heart is present with his Loue continually not letting it to slide out of his memory Seuenthly hee that is not fickle and inconstant in his deuotion and deuote affection vnto GOD may know that hee loues him truely I say if hee loue like a true friend At all times as wel when the whether is foule as faire in winter as well as in Summer when the heauens are blacke as well as when the Sunne doth shine For onely true loue is constant it accounteth nothing hard nothing grieuous and intolerable Fel. quod amarum est id mâ—l faciet It will make gall which is bitter to bee sweete as hony Periculis insultat mortem irridet si amor est â—incit omnia It contemneth dangers it scorneth death if it bee true loue it ouercommeth all things insomuch that though the louer may bee kil'd yet Inuictiu moritur â—ee dies vnvanquished as wee see in the Martyrs whom neither pleasure profite nor promotion on the one side nor any torture or cruell kinde of death on the other could beguile inueigle astonish or deterre But through their loue by Him that did enable them they conquered and contemned all things stucke fast to GOD. Eighthly the keeping of GODS Word in the minde to remember it in the heart to beleeue and embrace it and in the life to liue by it and a contention of Spirit to obey his Precepts is an infallible argument of true loue vnto him This is the loue of GOD saith Saint Iohn that wee keepe his Commandements A child by obedience demonstrates his childe-like affection vnto his parents Hee sheweâ— his loue and loyalty to the King which makes account of his Edicts and Lawes In vaine doth a seruant say hee loues his Maister except hee bee carefull to obey his will So then hee that liues in any knowne enormity and preferres his gaine pleasure credite and fauour with men to GODS Commandements doth plainely shew that hee wants the loue of GOD without which his Loue his Baptisme hearing of Sermons receiuing the Communion and all his faire showes will stand him in no steed but rather further his condemnation And one thing more I adde although hee do many deeds in appearance good and seeme to keepe sundry precepts yet it is not of loue vnto GOD without which his doing and keeping shall not bee remembred in the world to come but for some other reason if hee shall in the meane while addict himselfe vnto some one sinne which hee knowes to bee a sinne For the power of true loue is such as it will moue a man to humour his friend in euery lawfull and conuenient thing and he giues not his heart that is disposed to thwart and resist him especially being his Gouernour in anything that 's honest and not vnseemely But GOD is our Supreme Moderator LORD and all his Commandements are lawfull and good For his Will is the rule of Law and reason and all his Commandements ate according to his will To conclude GOD will be loued in his Church in his Ministers in his Chilâ—ren and finally in that his beloued Sonne CHRIST IESVS so as that they which hate these loue not him First for the Church by which I vnderstand not so much the Catholique Church which is the Mother of vs all and which whosoeuer loueth not as his MOTHER loueth not GOD as his FATHER and so will proue himselfe to bee some Bastard-plant as I meane all True visible Chuâ—ches or Congregations And such I call True which GOD hath honoured with True Doctrine or meanes sufficient vnto saluation and with such men as haue a True Power or authority to Minister and Dispense the same Now heere I say whosoeuer loueth such a Church because shee is such a Church whosoeuer loues her for GOD and in GOD without doubt it argues his loue to GOD. Hee that loues a Ring for the Diamond â—hat is set in it or for the worke-man that made it questionlesse hee loues â—he Diamond and the Worke-man much more So certainely â—ee that loues a Church for the Word and Sacraments and power â—f GOD that is in her and because shee is the Church of GOD planted by his gracious blessing doth much more loue GOD Surely that thing for which wee loue an other thing that wee cannot hate but loue On the contrary if thou shalt hate a true Church of GGD how dwelleth the loue of GOD in thee Thou wilt say I know that iâ— thou wert assured that shee is a true Church thou weulâ—st not hate her but ioyne vnto her I say againe art thou sure that the Church which thou hatest is false If thou beest sure of it if thou darest pawne thy soule vpon it but be sure thou beest sure then auoide her depart out of her giue her a Bill of Diuorcement let her go But if thou beest not sure hate her not seuer not thy selfe from her Wilt thou hate and leaue her most certainely whiles thou art not certaine what to iudge of her Thou dost not see her Truth but canst thou spye her falshood A blind man cannot see the Sunne at Noone but they which caâ— see may see her But what if a man bee so blind aâ— that because hee doth not see the Sunne himselfe therefore he thinketh the Sunne is seene of none And what if thou with a few more as blind as thy selfe dost hate and forsake a Church because yee do not see her Truth I say what if all her Sister-Churches in Europâ— besides
information of the LORD piously except the loue of GOD doth moue them to it How shall wee bee able to meditate in the Law of GOD day and night as wee are exhorted our dulnesse and auersnesse is so great by nature except the loue of GOD do spurre vs vp and vanquish vs How shall wee with the children of Israel turne quickely out of the way wherein our fathers haue walked and go an whoring after the idoll idle and addle inuentions of men specially if we were but put to it a little except our loue to GOD restraine and bridle vs What soule will say to GOD but that which loues him deerely as Ruth said to Naomi Whether thou goest I will go and where thou dwellest I will dwell It is lacke of loue which makes men forsake him deny him seruice and depart out of his house Will a mother with Hannah dedicate her sonne vnto the LORD but that shee loues him surely if her dedication be in deuotion it is the fruit of her loue Wouldest thou with Dauid set all the Lawes of GOD before thee and not depart there from Wouldst thou bee vpright towards him and keepe thee from thy wickednesse Then loue him For what was it that made Ionathan so sincere to Dauid what caused him to say vnto him Whatsoeuer thy soule requireth that will I do vnto thee Euen this Because hee loued him as his owne soule What but loue forced the true mother of the child to say vnto Salomon Slay him not whereas the other for want of loue said Diuide it So nothing but the loue of GOD makes a man study the peace vnity of his House and causes his bowels to yearne at the diuiding of it What but the zeale of loue to GOD moued Hezekiah to break the images to cut downe the groues â—nd to demolish the brazen Serpent So certainely thou shalt neuer â—leaue fast to the LORD and throw downe those idols that are within thee and keep thy soule from inchastity except thy loue to GOD constraine thee Wouldst thou haue thy Religion costly and not count it a burthen to thee Wouldst thou bee cheerefull and Free-spirited in all thine oblations and gifts vnto GOD Then must thou needs addict thy soule to GOD by loue It was this which made Dauid say to Ornan I will not take thine for the LORD nor offer burnt offerings without cost It was deuotion which moued the Israelites to bestow their siluer and gold and precious stones vnto the building of the Temple Of whom it is written that They offered willinglâ— vnto the LORD with a Perfite â—eart It was without question true loue to GOD which made Sâ—lomon pray for wisedome and knowledge to gouerne the people of GOD and build an house for the Name of the LORD and which made Dauid say I will not enter into the Tabernacle of mine house nor come vpon my pallat or bed nor suffer mine eyes to sleepe nor mine eye-lids to slumber vntill I finde out a place for the LORD an habitation for the mighty GOD of Iacob Euen so doe thou whom CHRIST hath made a spirituall King deuote and bestow thy selfe on GOD by loue if euer thou desirest to gouerne thy selfe to mortifie thy lusts and to make thine heart an house for GOD to dwell in Wouldst thou not sleepe till thou hast found out an house for GOD to dwell in Then surely thy loue must keepe thee awake Loue vnto God and of his worship made the people sing for ioy and shoute with a great shoute when the foundation of the LORDS House was laid Euen so it behoues vs truely to loue GOD if wee would truely reioyce when wee see the Church which is the House of GOD newly founded or repaired in any Kingdome State Citty Towne Village Family or when wee see the truth of CHRIST planted and receiued in any man Wee are commanded to sanctifie the Sabboath day and Nehemiah was very zealous for the keeping of it and reproues the Rulers for the breach thereof What euill thing is this saith hee that yee doe and breake the Sabboath day Did not yours fathers thus and our GOD brought all this plague vpon vs and vpon this Citty yet yee increase the wrath vpon Israel in breaking the Sabboath Now certainely vnlesse by loue we sanctifie GOD in our hearts we shall neuer sanctifie the Saboath for GOD. This is the cause that wee steale away the Saboath from GOD because our lucre and pleasures doe steale away our loue that is due to GOD from vs. It was loue that made Ester say to the King How can I suffer and see the euill that shall come vpon my people or how can I suffer and see the destruction of my kindred Doubtlesse he loueth Iacob that pitties the affliction of Ioseph Loue vnto GOD will make the heart bleed at the bloud-shed of the godly Thou canst not loue GOD if thou beest not moued at the plots and practises of godlesse men against the people of GOD I suppose him void of all loue to GOD that could haue seene suffered that execrable Powder-practise or which now doth grieue in secret to see it disapointed To conclude what moued Iob to patience Loue. What made him say Though hee slay mee yet will I trust in him and I will reproue my waies in his sight Loue. What made Dauid say Thou art my LORD thy Law is within mine heart Loue. What made him so sing of GOD and compose so many Psalmes vnto him Loue. What made Agur pray Feed mee with foode conuenient least I bee full and deny thee and say Who is the LORD and least I be poore and steale take the Name of my GOD in vaine Loue. What made Salomon rise at the last relinquish his lusts cry All is vanity call vs to the remembrance of GOD in our youth Loue. What moueth the Church to speak thus vnto her husband Let him kisse mee with the kisses of his Mouth Shew me where thou feedâ—st where thou liest at noone Stay me with flagons comfort me with Apples Nothing but Loue. Shee is sicke of loue What made Daniel venture vpon the Lyons the three children vpon the fire and the Christian Martyrs vpon all kinds of deaths Surely this They loued not their liues vnto the death but out of their loue vnto GOD made more account of his glory then of their owne liues liberties pleasures profits and preferments and held the truth at an higher rate then all earthly things whatsoeuer Loe then what reason wee haue to loue the LORD I all the wit and industry of flesh and bloud were spent and exercised in arguing for the loue of earthly things yet all were nothing of no validity nor efficacy to remoue our loue from GOD to them What shall detaine our loue the world Know yee not saith Saint Iames That the amity of the world is
likewise Abraham out of his deuotion vnto GOD is ready at GODS commandement to sacrifice to slay his onely Sonne his Hope and Honour Indeed this is the nature of a mans sincere and regular loue to GOD to loue GOD for himselfe to obey him without scruple and to neglect ones selfe for the respect of GOD. And though wee ought to loue GOD for those good blessings which hee communicates vnto vs as a friend his friend for courtesies receiued yet wee must not rest there if wee will proue our loue to bee vpright and sound but wee must go further and learne to loue him for that louely and peerelesse Excellency and that immense and profound Sea of Goodnesse which is in him esteeming those his benefites conferred on vs as certaine streames flowing from the same and prizing of them not so much in their owne worth as for being effects and tokens of his fauour to vs. Euen as a man should not so much value the good turnes of his friend according as they are worth in their owne nature as because they are fruits and arguments of his vertu-full and bounteous disposition And this is the purer degree or kind of loue such as was in Iob who though GOD seemed to bee his Enemy For hee saith that the arrowes of the Almighty were in him the venome whereof drunke vp his Spirit and that the terrours of GOD fought against him that hee feared him with dreames and astonished him with visions yet did hee continue to loue GOD and profest that though GOD should slay him yet his confidence should be reposed in him Thirdly whosoeuer shall loue GOD cheerefully and in conscience of GODS commandement euen because GOD bids him loue him hee doth euidently declare the truth of his loue vnto him For hee that doth a thing simply because hee is bidden doth shew a louing and reuerent respect vnto the bidder Fourthly hee demonstrates a sound heart and entire loue vnto GOD that suffers nothing to dominere within him but his GOD Not Mammon not Bacchus not Venus not the loue of any Man not of Himsefe nor of any other thing whatsoeuer but deturbs and cast out all that GOD alone may haue possession of him and reigne within him as hee may bee said to bee a chaste and louing husband who suffers no other to steale away his loue from his lawfull wife to whom hee hath vowed his loue and plighted his Troth Non bene cum socijs Regna Venusque manent Nec Regna socium ferre nec tede sciunt Lordship and loue will broke no fellowship Aut Casar aut nullus GOD will be either alone or gone He wil admit no copes-mate Hee will not part stakes with any He will allow thee to entertaine some thing that shal be subordinate vnder him but none that shall stand in opposition vnto him or which shall draw against him If therfore thou permit nothing to draw thine affection from him it argues thy loue is firme and fast vnto him Fiftly as a worldly-minded man doth shew his loue of riches by his vnsatiable desire of hauing more and more For the more hee hath the more hee would like those two daughters which cry Giue giue or like the earth That as Agur saith cannot bee satisfied with water So may wee proue our loue of GOD if whilst wee liue on earth wee couet to haue more and more interest in â—im and neuer rest contented whiles any thing liueth in vs besides himselfe And as Ahab was tormented in minde for Naboaths vineyard and as Ammon was so sore vexed that hee fell sicke for his sister Tamar And as the Spouse in the Canticles exclameth Stay mee with flagons for I am sicke of loue Euen so hee that doth truely loue GOD is not quiet till hee do enioy him And because there is no full fruition of Him till wee come in heauen therefore if wee truely loue him wee shall not meete with full contentment till wee come in heauen but shall as that Spouse our Mother bee Sicke of loue and wounded with longing after him till wee doe enioy him to the full Indeed the sickenesse of minde is not loue for loue it selfe is most sweete and pleasing but it is the fruite of Desire which waiteth vpon loue till loue do perfectly enioy the thing it doth loue And if delay be made that it cannot enioy the thing which it would as it would and so soone as it would then this delay by reason of the desire doth engender a certaine griefe and sickenesse in the minde which sickenesse and the desire which doth produce it shall both end when that which is desired is perfectly obtained and enioyed But then loue hath that it would and then ends not as the desire but is at her highest pitch in all her iollity and in her proper element there where shee would bee and would neuer but bee Now whosoeuer hath in him this longing after GOD this sickenesse and griefe to torment and vexe him seeing that heere on earth a man sometimes looseth his feeling of GODS loue vnto him and neuer enioyes him fullâ— hee may assure himselfe that hee truely loueth GOD. And this gâ—iefe of heart should be so farre from causing diffidence doubting or desperation that a man should rather gather strength and comfort by it For where this is there is the loue of GOD as there is a loue of drinke where there is a thirst and earnest desire after it and a certaine trouble and griefe of soule because it cannot bee had or is long a comming As Dauid saith My soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth greatly after thee which argues the desire and languishment of his spirit so he likewise saith My soule cleaueth vnto thee which declares his loue Now he that loueth GOD may bee bold to thinke that GOD loues him And the proper and principall ground of our consolation and saluation is in this that GOD loues vs not in this that Wee loue GOD in this that GGD is gracious vnto vs and not in this That the graces of GOD are in vs. Of which loue and grace of GOD vnto vs this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 free-grace of Loue wherewith our hearts are enflamed towards GOD is an vndoubted token and effect as breath is of life or ice of cold appropriated to GODS Elect and faithfull Children Sixtly as the mindes of adulterers runne vpon their harlots as the thoughts of worldlings are on their wealth as the heads of the ambitious are occupied about their honours as the hearts of Epicures are with their pleasures as the braines of Schollers are beate about their bookes as the minde of Souldiers is on the victory and as hee that loues the Law hath his meditations in the Law O how I loue thy Law saith Dauid It is my meditation continually so hee that loues
by feeding his Flocke Peter saith he louest thou mee Feed my Lambs feed my Sheepe Feed my Sheepe Pasce mente pasce ore pasce opere pasce animi oratione verbi abhortatione exempli exhibitione Feede them saith Bernard with thy minde Feed them with thy mouth feed them with thy worke feed them with the prayer of thy heart with the exhortation of the word with setting them a good ensample What other thing saith Saint August is this If thou loue mee Feed my sheepe then if it had bene saidâ— If thou loue mee do not thinke to feede thy selfe but my Sheepe Feâ—d them as mine not as thine seeke my glory in them not thine my Lordship not thine my gaines not thine Which speech when Saint Paul as Chrysostome speaketh had heard was vttered to Saint Peter hee studied to declare this loue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 euen in the superlatiue degree And vndoubtedly doubtedly there is no Minister which doth truely loue GOD but hee will bee carefull to feed the people of GOD which are the Sheepe of His Pasture committed to him and Depending on him And hee that onely looketh after the Fleece but leaueth his Flocke at sixe and seuens doth bewray his loue of the world but declares no loue to GOD. Finally GOD will bee loued in his Sonne IESVS CHRIST the Sonne of the Virgine Mary For he that hateth me saith CHRIST hateth my FATHER also Except yee beleeue that I am HEE yee shall die in your sinnes Which shewes the fearefull estate of vnbeleeuing Turkes Iewes and Pagans And most worthy is hee of our loue For hee is White and Ruddy the chiefest of ten thousand and wholly delectable Being GOD hee hath married our flesh Hee came downe from heauen that wee might go vp to heauen Hee serued to make vs free Hee became poore to make vs rich Hee was made a curse that wee might bee blest Hee died that wee might liue Hee was Crucified that wee might bee Crowned And that our loue vnto him might appeare true let vs try it by these two notes First by our care to know and keepe his Lawes euen to the death For saith CHRIST If yee loue me keepe my Commandements Hee that keepes them loues mee Hee that loues mee not keepeth not my words If wee breake them at our pleasure and preferre our gaine or gaming or any thing else to them truely wee loue him not For did wee indeed loue him wee would bee loath to offend him and would make more estimation of Him and his Word then of any earthly thing Secondly try thy loue to CHRIST by thine endeuour to bee Like him For true loue causeth imitation CHRIST was the mirrour of Mercy very Meeke Humble Patient and Zealous of GODS Glory Hee went vp and downe doing good Hee prayed for his persecutors FATHER fogiue them Canst thou for CHRIST pray for thine enemies CHRIST forgaue thee wilt thou for CHRIST forgiue him that wrongs thee that reuiles thee to thy face that bites thee behind thy backe that scornes thee hates thee troubles thee If thou dost thou louest him but if thy heart bee so great thou wilt not where is thy loue For vnderstand thus much where CHRIST is loued there CHRIST loues where CHRIST loues there he liues and where hee liues there the flesh with the lusts thereof dies so then hee that liues out of Charity in the spirit of rancour hatred and reuenge and will not controule his corruptions hee is not CHRISTS CHRIST liues not in him he liues not in CHRIST he loues not CHRIST hee loues not God but is in the state of death how well soeuer hee conceiueth of himselfe For tell me dost thou thinke that CHRIST liues in an heart of Oake of Adamant No no but in an heart that is humble meeke and louing And what thankfulnesse what loue is shewed vnto CHRIST when thou wilt not pardon him whom CHRIST doth pardon when thou wilt not forgiue him whom CHRIST hath died for when thou wilt not vouchsafe him thy pardon to whom CHRIST hath giueÌ„ himselfe when thou I say thou wilt not forgiue CHRIST hauing forgiuen thee and hauing giuen Himselfe vnto thee yea and thy selfe vnto thy selfe for by thy sinnes thou hadst lost thy selfe Certainely therefore thou must forgiue for CHRIST or else beleeue it thou dost not loue CHRIST Let vâ— therefore deale truely with our selues examining our hearts and practises by the fore-named notes and wee shall easily see whether the loue of GOD and of his Sonne CHRIST IESVS bee in vs or whether the loue of the world and of our selues beare sway with in vs. And so much concerning the Loue of GOD to which we are exhorted The reasons which the Psalmist vseth to perswade vs to this duety follow One is drawne from the Louing and courteous dealing of GOD with them that are faithfull in their loue and seruice to him the other is taken from the seuerity of his Iustice against those that out of pride and obstinacy cast of his yoke and care not for to loue and serue him The former is set forth in these words The LORD preserueth the faithfull A man may bee said to bee faithfull in a double sense First he that beleeueth in GOD and giues credite to his Word is a faithfull man and to this Faith diffidence and incredulity is opposed and by this kind of faith a man laies hold vpon the mercy of GOD in CHRIST for his Iustification Secondly hee that may bee beleeued for his truth hee that is iust and true in his words and dealings is a faithfull man For faith Fides is of fio to be done Fac quod dicis fides est do what thou saist and it is Faith saith Saint Austen Then saith Gregory are wee truely faithfull if what wee promise in word wee performe in deed To this kind of faith treachery falshood and hypocrisie is opposed So that he that doth truely loue GOD and is a faithfull keeper of his Doctrine and forgets not his promise to him in his Baptismâ— but is carefull and studious to performe it hee may bee said to bee a faithfull man Such a faithfull man was Caleb Who followed GOD still and had another Spirit then those tempting and disobedient Israelites had which were not suffred to enter into Canaan Such a faithfull man was Moses who was faithfull in GODS House Such a one was Dauid of whom GOD spake saying I haue found Dauid the son of Iesse a man after mine owne heart which will do all things that I will Such were Zacharias and Elizabeth that walked in all the Commandements and Oâ—dinances of GOD without reproofe Finally such were all the Martyrs of CHRIST who rather then they would betray his truth and make shipwracke of their faith and conscience indured all manner of torments and refused no kinde of death which was deuised for them
5. Math. 7. 12. Rom. 12. 20 Rom. 13. 7. 8. Why wee must bee humble toward our inferiours 1. Cor. 4. 7 1. Pet. 5. 5. Luk. 18. 14. Scal. ex 301 Sec. 1. What loue is The obiect of loue The property of loue Loue of GOD what Loue is an affection Loue a grace 1. Cor. 3. 5. Phil. 2. 13. Ouid. Loue is froÌ„ knowledge 1. Cor. 13. 9. 12. Vision of Grace of Glory The last point cleered by Similies Why men loue GOD no better Loue is as a threed and knowledge a Needle Loue springs out of faith Ps 16. 2. 5. 103. 1. 3. 4 1. Tim. 1. 5. A Similie A Similie Why a maÌ„ hates him that loues him A Similie Loue a fire Gal. 5. 22. Loue the worke of the Spirit Ps 144. 3. Ps 116. 12. Psal 145. 1. Loue knits vs to God Col. 2. 2. Ioh. 17. 21. The fruits of hatred and loue Psa 73. 25. 26. A simile GOD the obiect of this loue Ps 145. 8. 17 Psal 145. 3. 147. 5. 146. 6 7. 8. 147. 3 Ps 145. 19 20. 146. 9. Ex. 20. 6. Nouem 5. 1605. Who ought to loue GOD. Obiect Solution Psal 145. Math. 5. 1. Tim. 4 10 Doctrine Barbarus his ego sum cum non intelligâ—r vlli Ouid. Iob. 12. 11. Reason 1. Why wee should loue the LORD from the necessity thereof Deut. 6. 5 10. 12. Mat. 22. 38 GODS precept binds vs to loue him Except we loue GOD we shall be cursed 1. Cor. 16. 22. Rom. 9. 5. No loue no worship Scal. ex 317 s 3. No loue of GOD nâ— loâ—â— of the goâ— â— h. 3. â—â— 14 GODS ordinances profite not him that loues not GOD. Without loâ—e good deeds faâ—our of â—en â— â—e nohing â—oâ—â—h 1. Cor. 13. 2 2 d Reason To loue GOD is a matter of equity GODS loue to vs desceÌ„ding Ephe. 2. Psal 8. 4. 8. 144. 3. August Ioh. 3. 16. Col. 1. 13. Lam. 3. 22. 23. Rom. 8. 28. The equity of our loue further explained 3. Reasons from the profite of loue 1. Commodity Gal. 5. 6. â—ike as thâ— loue 〈◊〉 the lâ—â—e 3. Commodity 1. Cor. 8. 1. A Similie A Similie 3. Commodity of loue By the loue of GOD a man may know his estate before GOD. Rom. 8. 28. 1. Cor. 8. 3. 1. Ioh. 4. 19. Eccles 1. 7. A Similie A Similie Luk. 7. 47. Aug. in Ps 64. A Similie 4. Commodity of our loue of GOD. The loue of GOD makes vs to loue the godly A Similie 1. Ioh. 3. 14. 5. Commodity A Similie A Similie 6. Commodity A Similie Psal 139. 21 22. 4. Arguments of loue to GOD from the excellency oâ— it Excel 1. 1. Ioh. 4. 7. Iam. 1. 17. Excel 2. Excel 3. Excel 4. Excel 5. Excel 6. Excel 7. 1. Effect of loue 2. Effect of loue 1. Ioh. 4. 8. 3. Effect A Similie Excel 8. The reward of the loue of GOD. Iam. 2. 5. 2. Tim. 4. 8. Why it is called the crowne of righteousnesse Ps 16. 11. Pro. 27. 24. * By I say not For. 1. Cor. 2. 9. Mar â—4 44. Iudg. 4. 19. 22. Excel 9. What IEHOVA CVRIOS DOMINVS and LORD do signity Ps 104. 27. 145. 16. Psal 3 4. 9 10. Ier. 32. 27. Iob 5. 12. 23 Iob 9. 4. 12. 16. 17. Pro. 21. 30 Psal 24. 8. Iob 12. 19. 21. Iob. 9. 10. 11. Isa 40. 22. 23. 1. Cor. 1. â— Psa 146 6 Psa 100. 5 Ps 145. 17 Psa 96. 13 Psa 116. 5 Psal 146. 9. 2. Sam. 22 28. Isa 40. 29 Iob. 36. 15. Iob. 8. 20. Psal 84. 11. Iob. 13. 16. Psal 16. 2. Iob. 22. 2. 3 Iob. 35. 6. 7. 8. Psal 85. 9. 91. 14. 145. 20. 1. Pet. 1. 5. 9. Mal. 3. 6. Iam. 1. 17. Is 46. 10. 11 Ier. 31. 3. Ioh. 13. 1. Ier. 32. 40. Psal 94. 14. Fiue reasons why GOD should bee loued aboue all things 1. Reason 2. Cor. 12. 15. 2. Reason Pro. 30. 16. 3. Reason 4. Reason 5. Reason Act. 10. 34. Psal 16. 6. Psal 23. 5 Heb. 6. 10 Dan. 12. 3. Gâ—â— 1. â—7 2â— Psalm 8 7. Exod. 20. 3 Leuit. 19. 12. 18. Numb 14. â— 12 13. Deut. 6. 7. 11. 19. Ephe. 6. 4. Iosh â— 8. Iudg. 2. 17. Ruth 1. 16. 1. Sam. 1. 11 24. 28. 2. Sam. 22. 23. 24. 1. Sam. 20 4. 17. 1. King 3. 26. 2. King 18. 4. 1 Chron. 21. 24. 1 Câ—â—â—n 29. â— 2. Chron. 1. 10. 2. 1 Psal 132. 3. Reu. 1. 6. Eâ—â—a 3. 11. 1. Tim. 3. 15 Neh. 13. 17 Ester 8. 6. Nouemb. 5. 1605. Iob 13. 15. Psal 16. 2. 40. 8. Prou. 30. 8. Eccles 1. 2 12. 1. Cant. 1. 1. 6 2. 5. Iam. 4. 4. Why men should not dote on the world 1. Ioh. 2 15. What the world is Reu. 17. 2. 4 A Similâ—e The world is vnconstant Ps 102. 27. Iam 1. 17. Num. 23. 19 Iohn 13. 1. Ier. 32 4â— Psa â—9 33. August Reasons against the loue of the world Prou 23. 5. Why men should not loue riches Seneca Psal 62 1â— Who is most rich Why the loue of pleasures should not hinder our loue to GOD. Why GOD seemeth not so sweete to some Heb. 11. 25 Eccles 11. 9 Plutar. Tâ—ll A Similie Est 7. 10. Judith 13. 8 Why honouâ—s should not steale away our hearts A Similie Act. 12. 22. 23. A Similie Pro. 31. 30. The vanity of beauty How beauty hath bin called A Similie How a mâ— may loue himselfe Heb. 12. 9. Psal 18. 2. 144. 2. Mark 8. 36. 1. Note of true loue Gregor True loue is laborious Gen. 31. 40 41. 2. Note GOD is to bee loued for himselfe 1. Cor. 10. 33. 2. Cor. 12. 14. 19. Phil. 4. 14 17. Rom 9. 3. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 4. 13 14. 15. Ex. 32. 10. 12. Ex. 32. 32. Gen. 22. GOD is to bee loued for his blessings and the order how A Similie Iob 6. 3. 8. 14. Iob. 13. 15. 3. Note of true loue 4. Note of true loue A man louing GOD truâ—â—y loues none more then GOD. Ouid. Seneca GOD will haue the Throne or else bee gone How a maÌ„ may loue other things 5. Note of loue Pro. 30. 15. 16. 1. King 22. 2. Sam. 13. 2. Can. 2. 5. Griefe or sickenesse of soule waiâ—s on loue This sickenesse is not loue but from desire Loue ends not when this desire ceaseth Nâ—te A Similie Psal 63. 1. 9. Psal 63. 3. Ioh. 3. 16. Eph. 2. 4. 8. Tit. 3. 5. Our loue to GOD a signe of his to vs. 6. Note of true loue Ps 119 97. Bernard The fruits of loue Diuine Humane Ier. 23. 24. Presence in case i. as absence 7. Note Pro. 17. 17. True loue is coÌ„stant Plautus The praise of the Martyrs 8. Note 1. Iohn 5. 3. No loyalty no loue Good deeds are without loue of little or no account The vertue of true loue GODS Will the Rule of Law 9. Note of true loue GOD
nothing in the world which doth deserue our loue so as GOD doth or which should stand cheeke by ioule with him in our affections For first a man may loue men and yet not bee loued of them For as it sometimes falleth out the more that some are loued the lesse they loue affecting them least that loue them most But the more any man loues GOD the more hee may bee sure that GOD loues him Not that GOD is drawne to loue for the merite of our loue But because our loue to him is a fruit of his loue to vs and increaseth as his Euen as the more heate is which commeth from a wall or from the ground the more it argues that the Sunne beats vpon it Secondly earthly things as riches honour credite preferments and the like cannot giue a man such contentment as may bee found in GOD. For they are momentany and vncertaine but GOD is cerraine constant and eternall They are mingled with some-thing which may displease vs But GOD is altogether profitable and full of pleasure A man may bee glutted with them hee may loue them too well hee may surfeit on them hee may ioy so long in them as at last hee may bee punisht with his owne perdition but no can bee too full of GOD Hee will cloy no mans stomacke no man can loue him too much too long for the measure of louing him is to loue him without measure the end is endlesse it is a debt which is alwaies due vnto him and for euer which a man must bee euer a paying and neuer haue done paying And further although a man had all pleasures all wealth and honour that the whole world could affoord him yet if hee gaue way vnto his minde hee would still wish for more and delight in change For the Round world and all that 's in it is not able to fill mans heart that is Triangular and vnsatiable as fire that neuer â—aith it is enough For if any man bee content and thinke he hath enough it is out of discretion because hee sees no true contentment can come from earthly things But GOD because hee is the fulnesse of good a pure and a perfect Truth Beauty and Perfection is able to giue true and full contentment to the soule to all the soules of men yea though there were 2 thousand thousand worlds of men Thirdly wee loue men whose fury reacheth not vnto the soule and whose loue sometimes can doe but little good But the wrath of GOD is the woe of man his anger reacheth vnto the soule his indignation is more terrible then the roaring of ten thousand Lyons But in the light of his countenance is life his fauour is like the dew vpon the grasse or as a cloude of the latter raine his loue is euen our life the fountaine from whence our holines and happines our grace and glory our comfort contentment springs Fourthly our loue to the creature is ioyned with feare and care least the thing we loue should take some harme Res est solliciti plena timoris amor Our friends may bee kil'd or hurt goods may bee stollen houses may be burnt a mans stocke may be wasted his credite may be weakned his seruant seduced his children misvsed and his wife corrupted A thousand mischances mâ—y happen vnto these things which are subiect to fire and water winds and weather birds and beasts sinne and sickenes Men and deuils But GOD is liable to no such thing in himselfe Hee is ouer all vnder none altogether blessed Impassible immutable Inuincible Inuiolable Finally whereas some will bee loued of some but contemne the loue of others GOD with whom there is no respect of persons accepts of euery man that loues him yea though the loue of all men can adde nothing to him euen as also in louing other things men are often iealous enuious and malicious and will endure no riuals no competitors which is cleane otherwise in our loue of GOD for so powerfull is the grace of GOD in those that loue him as that it makes men desirous of companions A man that addicts himselfe to some man is afraid of another least that hee creeping into his loue should hinder his gaines But GOD hath enough for all that loues him hee is able to giue them all so much as that they theÌ„selues shal say They haue enough Hee is so well able to satisfie them all as that euery one of them might say The lines are fallen vnto mee in pleasant places yea I haue a faire heritage Thou dost annoint mine head with oyle and my cup runneth ouer And though it fall out sometimes among vs that wee will dislike him that doth increase our acquaintants followers or such as shall hang vpon vs to be relieued and maintained by vs yet it is not so with GOD For if any man shall conuert sinners vnto him and increase his friends if true tho not vncostly to him the same man doth a worke pleasing to him and doing it out of loue hee shall not loose his reward For GOD is not vniust to forget your worke and labour of your loue saith Saint Paul which yee haue shewed vnto his Name And they saith the LORD that turne many to righteousnesse shall shine as the Starres for euer and euer And indeed wherefore were the Apostles sent abroad into the world but to gather Disciples to him and to increase his followers Aâ—d that I may yet presse this poiâ—t a little more being of so great importance Tell mee how shall man shew himselfe thankefull vnto GOD. except hee loue him for creating him in his Image How shall hee excuse himselfe if hee loue him not seeing he hath not planted him in a world vnfurnished but hath prepared him all things needfull Light for seeing Aire for breathing Meates for feeding Cloâ—thes for couering and hath giuen him rule ouer the Fish of the Sea the Fowles of Heauen and ouer euery beast that moueth vpon the earth Wee are forbidden to haue any other GOD vnto our selues but the LORD which hath brought vs out of the land of darkenesse the region of death and deliuered vs from bondage vnder sinne and sathan which wee shall neuer bee able to obserue vnlesse by loue we deuote and wed our selues vnto him How shall wee sanctifie the Name of the LORD and not defile it except wee loue it How shall wee meerely vpon GODS naked Precept forget an iniury and â—ot auenge our selues if â—he loue of GOD do not perswade vs Will any man with Moses post-pose his owâ—e greatnesse to the glory of GOD except hee loue â—im and will hee bee carefull that those which are committed to his care should not behaue themselues aâ— rebels and start-awaies vnlesse tâ—e loue of GOD enforce him How can parents bring vp their children religiously instruct them in GODS Commandements carefully and bring them vp as they are required in the
is to bee loued in his Church Euery true visible Church is to bee loued The mark of such a Church A Similitude Marke this well GOD is to bee loued in hiâ— Ministâ—â—s Act. 1â— 1â— 1. Tâ—â— 4 â—6 A Minister â—s tâ— be loâ—e fâ—r his 〈◊〉 1. Thess â— 1◠〈…〉 How a maÌ„ shold loue his Minister Who are GODS true Ministers * Such I meane as euertâ— the groundâ— of Faith or goâ—d Manners and which sets the Church in an vprore GOD is to bee loued in his people 1. Iohn 4. 20. Hatred of godlinesse is the hatred of GOD. Acts 9. 4. 1. Ioh. 5. 1. Psal 38. 20. Psal 68. 21. Ps 129. 5. 6. Many sorts of loue yet little true charity A Turke may loue a Christian but not his Christianity How Mâ—â—â—stâ—rs hold shew loue to GOD. Ioh. 21. 15. 16. 17. Serm. 2. de resur Aug. in Ioan. tract 123. Chrysost praesat in Epistolas What Minister doth truly loue GOD. Psal 100. 3. 1. Pet. 5. 2. GOD must be loued in CHRIST Ioh. 15. 23. Iohn 8. 24. See 1. Cor. â—6 22. Cant. 5. 10. 16. Gal. 3. 13. 1. Note of loue to CHRIST Ioh. 14. 15. 22. 23. 24. 2. Note of loue to CHRIST Luk. 23. 34 Coâ— 3. 13. Ioh. 14 21. We ought to forgiue one another The reasons of the exhortation 1. Reason A man iâ— said to bee faithfull in two respects Neh. 9. 8. Num. 14. 22 24. Heb. 3. 5. Act. 13. 22. Luke 1. 6. 2. Chron. 16. 8. 9. Nâ—â—â— 5. 16 â—5 Isa 49. 16. Ier. 32. 40. 1. Pet. 1. 5. 9 Reu. 2. 20. 5. Notes of faithfulnesse 1. Note Mark 6. 20 2. Note Pro. 24. 10. Seneca Ciâ— l. 2. Rhet. Lib. 3. de Met. ter c. 6. 3. Note Isai 55. 1. 4. Note Marke this weâ—l Of prophaning the Saâ—oth day 5. Note 1. Tim. 3. 15. Rom. 9. 6 7 Rom. 2. 2â— 29. Who is a true Christian What true Baptisme is Who truly faithfull â—â—e praise oâ— Lâ—ue. Can. 8. 6 â— Loue a fire A Light Hony And Wine The seâ—oÌ„d reason of the exhoâ—tation Ecclus. 10. 7. What pride is Pride is against God and Man 1. Note of pride against God 2. Note 3. Note 4. Note 5. Note 6. Note Thou art vnworthy to pray to God but God is worthy to whoÌ„ thou shouldst obey Psal 50. 15 Mat. 11. 2â— 7. Note Of pride against Man When men make great outward shewes braue it in costâ—y apparell of purpâ—se to bee counted better men then they are it is very pride So painting of the face to bee thought a beautifull creature not being so is very pride 1. Pet. 5. 5. 2. Pet. 2. 4. Iude 6. Gen. 3. 5. 6. Gen. 11. 4. 9. 1. Sam. 17 10. 45. 50. 51. Isaiah 10. 12. 13. Isaiah 37. 36 38. Dan. 4. 27. 28. 30. 31. 34. Iudith 6. 2 4. 13. 8. 2. Mac. 1. 15. 16. Nat. Comes Myth l. 9. c. 25. Guid. Iuuenan Ter. Eun. Act. 12. 22. 24. Ioseph Antiq lib. 19. â— 17 Dioâ—â—s Halâ—aâ—â— 1. Antiq. Râ—m Dioâ— lâ—b 4. Hâ—â—â— Hâ—â— Polâ— lib. 1. c. â— Iâ—sâ—pâ— de â—â—l Iadd 1. â— 12 13. Many waies GOD punisheth the proud The milder kindâ— of GODS iudgemeÌ„ts vpon the proud are two Dan. 4. 34 Osorius de Reg. Instit l. 5 fol. 151. The folly of pride The basenesse of pride The inhumanity of pride The impiety of pride The iniustice of pride Pâ—o. 13 â—â— Pride the mother of contentions The ouglinesse of pride Pro. 16. 18. A Similie August Pride a waster A Similie Pride a moth The way to withstand prid Iam. 4. 6. Hugo lib. 1. de anima Hee that loues GOD loues himselfe A Similie