The Breastplate of Faith and Love

It is well if it be so,¹ but let me add this to all that I have said, In what manner doest thou do that thou doest? You know the caution that the Apostle puts in, in 1 John 5.3. Herein is love manifested, that we keep his commandments, ²and his commandments are not grievous. Indeed herein is the reality of love seen, that we keep the commandments of God. It is true, a man may do much for Christ, and yet not love him; an hypocrite may go far in performances, and yet though he doth much, he may not love much: therefore you must examine your selves by that, in what manner you do that which you do. Therefore it is added, if we keep his commandments, and they be not grievous: as if he should say, the manner of your doing is all in all, you must both do much, and suffer much; but they must both be done willingly. You know, the wife and the servant, they both serve the husband, and do much for him, both are alike diligent, yet notwithstanding there is this difference, the wife doth it out of love, she doth it in another manner, proceeding from another affection, aiming at another end than the servant doth. So two men may be diligent in keeping the same commandment of the Lord; the one doth it as one that loves the Lord earnestly, being desirous to please him, as one that delights in the Lord, nothing doth more content him, that when he is in an opportunity wherein he may express his love ⟨p. 80⟩to the Lord, all his commandments are not grievous to him, it is not respect to the reward, it is not an eye to the punishment that moves him.

It is well if it be so,¹ but let mee adde this to all that I have said, In what manner doest thou doe that thou doest? You know the caution that the Apostle puts in, in 1 Iohn 5.3. Herein is love manifested, that we keepe his commandements, ²