A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

If Christ have something against this church for leaving her first love;¹ then no doubt he hath something against the church of England, and against us at this day▪ howsoever we may persuade our selves that we be high in his favour, yet we are in the like, or a worse estate than this church now was: for a great part of the body of our church hath left off their first love: and the greatest part hath no love at all. That many have left their first love is too too evident. For such as in Queen Mary's time were content to suffer much for the Gospel, as the histories of our church do show, after they enjoyed a little quietness became mere worldlings, as their lives have testified afterward. And in such congregations where the word hath long bin preached, this is too apparent that men who for the space of twenty, of ten, or seven years have showed fervent love to Christ and his Gospel, and to their brethren, do now fall away and show none at all. He that hath but half an eye, may see many for a year or two very forward and zealous in religion, who soon after suffer pleasures, profits, or preferments to draw them quite away: some I confess through the mercy of God are free from this decay. But there is yet a more grievous fault among us: for the greatest part of our people have no love at all. These are the days whereof Christ said ^(a)love should wax cold. And whereof Paul said, Men should be ^(b)lovers of themselves: for take the most congregations where the Gospel hath been long preached, yet you shall find that the hearers are neither bettered for knowledge nor for obedience, but remain still as ignorant and profane as ever they were. This argueth that they have no love of God in their hearts, though they have a formal profession of his name in their mouth: For where the love of God is, there most needs be increase in knowledge, in grace, and in obedience. Again, see how men generally walk in their callings, and therein behold a mere defect of love. All the pains they take is for their private gain and pleasure; no regard is had of Gods glory, of the maintenance of true religion, and of the good of their brethren: herein their own consciences shall be the witnesses. So that generally this may be said, We have no love at all. What an action then shall we think hath Christ against us? It must needs be grievous;