1Again, when you have done this, that you may grow in love to the Lord, learn to know the Lord; for the more you know him, the more you will love him. What is the reason that the Angels in heaven so love him? Because they know him. What is the reason that we shall love ⟨p. 109⟩him more in heaven than we do now, but because we shall know him more? Therefore when you read the Scriptures, and observe the works of Gods providence in every particular, learn by this to know God: as you know a man by his actions and carriage, learn to have such an Idea of God, as he hath described himself in his word, that he is true of his word, that he is full of goodness, that he is abundant in long-suffering and patience, that he is exceeding merciful beyond measure, &c. labour to see his wisdom, his goodness, and his mercy, labour to know God: for when you come to know him aright, by that we come to love him. Why do we love one man more than another, but because we conceive him under such a notion, we conceive his heart to be of such and such a frame, we think him to be a man of such and such a condition? when we thus conceive the Lord, it will teach us to love him more. Therefore this you must know, that for you only to look upon things that are beneficial to you, as forgiveness of sins, and adoption, and an inheritance in heaven, that is not love to the Lord. It is true, you should do all this, but that which you are principally to do, is to look to the essence of God, to see such excellencies in him, that thereby you may be led home to him: and therefore that you may know him the better, you must be taught of him. Again, you must not only know him, but you must likewise have assurance of his love to you: for when you know the excellencies of the Lord, ⟨p. 110⟩unless you have assurance of his love to you, it is not sufficient. Take a man of the highest place, and of the most excellent quality; if thou conceive that he hath a hollow heart towards thee, thou canst not possibly love him: thou must be persuaded of the love of the Lord to thee. Therefore in the Text it is said to be faith which worketh by love. The increase of the assurance of Gods love therefore is the means to increase thy love to him.
1Againe, when you have done this, that you may grow in love to the Lord, learne to know the Lord; for the more you know him, the more you will love him. What is the reason that the Angels in heaven so love him? Because they know him. What is the reason that we shall love ⟨p. 109⟩him more in heaven than wee doe now, but because we shall know him more? Therefore when you reade the Scriptures, and observe the works of Gods providence in every particular, learne by this to know God: as you know a man by his actions and carriage, learne to have such an Idea of God, as he hath described himselfe in his word, that hee is true of his word, that hee is full of goodnesse, that he is abundant in long-suffering and patience, that hee is exceeding mercifull beyond measure, &c. labour to see his wisdome, his goodnesse, and his mercie, labour to know God: for when you come to know him aright, by that we come to love him. Why doe wee love one man more than another, but because wee conceive him under such a notion, wee conceive his heart to be of such and such a frame, wee thinke him to be a man of such and such a condition? when we thus conceive the Lord, it will teach us to love him more. Therefore this you must know, that for you onely to looke upon things that are beneficiall to you, as forgivenesse of sins, and adoption, and an inheritance in heaven, that is not love to the Lord. It is true, you should doe all this, but that which you are principally to doe, is to looke to the essence of God, to see such excellencies in him, that thereby you may be led home to him: and therefore that you may know him the better, you must be taught of him. Againe, you must not onely know him, but you must likewise have assurance of his love to you: for when you know the excellencies of the Lord, ⟨p. 110⟩unlesse you have assurance of his love to you, it is not sufficient. Take a man of the highest place, and of the most excellent quality; if thou conceive that he hath a hollow heart towards thee, thou canst not possibly love him: thou must be perswaded of the love of the Lord to thee. Therefore in the Text it is said to be faith which worketh by love. The increase of the assurance of Gods love therefore is the meanes to increase thy love to him.
- 1Knowledge of God especial help to make us love him.Knowledge of God especiall helpe to make us love him.
