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but if he received no more of that man then of another, he would like him, and love him no better then another: Even so is it with the wicked, if their bellies be filled, their barns stuffed, and they have their hearts desire, they love God indeed, but ⟨p. 163⟩yet only for their belly, and their barns. Thus did Saul love God, but it was for his kingdom: Thus did Ahithophel love God, but it was because he was advanced to be a counsellor: And thus did Judas love God, but it was because he was chosen to be an Apostle, and carried the bag: But what became of their love the histories do testify. Saul was a little afflicted, and forsook God: Ahithophel somewhat crossed in his devises, hangeth himself: and Judas for again of money, betrayed Christ. Some experience of this we may see among us; Courtiers will be professors, and Scholars of ripe wits will be religious, if Courtiers may come to be Counsellors, and if Scholars may be preferred to the chiefest places: but if promotion come not, then their profession is forsaken, and their Religion laid aside. And yet that is not all, for either they wax profane in their life or heretical in their opinions. Do the children of God love on this manner? No, the holy Ghost which they have received in effectual manner, doth shed the seed of love in their hearts, and doth work in them a special liking of his goodness, of his righteousness, and of his holiness: and therefore of sincere affection they love him. As the natural child loveth ⟨p. 164⟩his father naturally, and though his father beat him, yet beareth he it, and still loveth him: so do the children of God deal. They have poured into them as (Saint Peter saith) a godly nature, so that they do freely love God their father: and though he afflict them, or cross them in their desires, yet they love him, and in love perform their obedience unto him continually: therefore Job sayeth, Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him: They therefore are said to have received a free spirit, and to serve God in the liberty of the spirit. And who seeth not this to be a plain and manifest difference between them: therefore we may well take it as a third mark or rule, whereby to prove and try our selves. The fourth and last rule is, in considering the work and effect which Gods mercy received, doth work in us:

but if he receiued no more of that man then of another, he woulde like him, and loue him no better then another: Euen so is it with the wicked, if their bellies be filled, their barnes stuffed, and they haue their heartes desire, they loue God indeede, but