Besides this,2 consider, this is that that must stir you up above all other arguments, that if thou love the Lord, thou shalt be no looser by it, in all other love a man seems to be a looser, for, when you love an other, as you know it is no love except it be fruitful and active, when you bestow on an other your time, and your pains, and your money, you know, you have so much the less your self: And therefore it is that men are so full of self love, because that engrosseth all, a man in that keeps all to himself, when he comes to love an other, and parts with something of his own. And thence it is that men are so backward to love, in truth and in good earnest. They love in show and in complement, that is easy, but to love indeed is difficult, because it takes somewhat from them. But in loving the Lord, it is not so, there is a difference between that and other loves when you give the Lord your hearts, and bestow them on him, he will give you them every •ot again, and reserve not any for himself. You will ask me, what is the meaning of this? My meaning is this, whatsoever you bestow on the Lord, all the love that you give to him, it reflects and redounds to your advantage, you gain by it all:2 as we see, Isai 48.17. I am the Lord ⟨p. 154⟩that teacheth thee to Profit for if thou keep my commandments, thy reward, thy prosperity should be as a flood, and thy rejoicing as the waves of the Sea. Mark it well, as if he should say to them, when I command you to serve me, and to love me with all your soul, and with all your strength, know, that all this is for your own profit, it shall all redound to you. For, if you keep my commandments, your prosperity shall be as a flood, that is, it shall run over the banks, it shall be so large, and so great, and your righteousness, that is, the reward of your righteousness, as the waves of the sea, that is, one reward should follow upon the neck of an other, as one billow follows upon the neck of an other. This should be your case, saith he, if you love me and keep my commandments, and serve me: And therefore saith he, when I require your love and your service, herein there is a difference between that, & that which any man requires at your hands; all this is for your own profit, it redounds to your selves, your selves fare the better for it:
Besides this,2 consider, this is that that must stirre you up aboue all other arguments, that if thou love the Lord, thou shalt be no looser by it, in all other love a man seemes to be a looser, for, when you loue an other, as you know it is no love except it bee fruitfull and actiue, when you bestowe on an other your time, and your paines, and your money, you know, you have so much the lesse your selfe: And therefore it is that men are so full of selfe love, because that ingrosseth all, a man in that keepes all to himselfe, when hee comes to love an other, and partes with something of his owne. And thence it is that men are so backward to love, in truth and in good earnest. They love in shew and in complement, that is easie, but to love indeed is difficult, because it takes somewhat from them. But in loving the Lord, it is not so, there is a difference betweene that and other loves when you give the Lord your hearts, and bestowe them on him, he will giue you them every •ot againe, and reserue not any for himself. You will aske me, what is the meaning of this? My meaning is this, whatsoever you bestowe on the Lord, all the loue that you give to him, it reflectes and redoundes to your advantage, you gaine by it all:2 as we see, Isai 48.17. I am the Lord ⟨p. 154⟩that teacheth thee to Profite for if thou keepe my commandements, thy reward, thy prosperitie should be as a flood, and thy reioycing as the waves of the Sea. Marke it well, as if he should say to them, when I command you to serue me, and to loue me with all your soule, and with all your strength, know, that all this is for your owne profit, it shall all redound to you. For, if you keep my commandements, your prosperitie shall be as a floud, that is, it shall runne over the bankes, it shall be so large, and so great, and your righteousnes, that is, the reward of your righteousnes, as the waues of the sea, that is, one reward should follow upon the neck of an other, as one billow followes upon the neck of an other. This should be your case, saith he, if you loue me and keep my commandements, and serue me: And therefore saith hee, when I require your love and your service, herein there is a difference betweene that, & that which any man requires at your hands; all this is for your owne profite, it redounds to your selues, your selves fare the better for it:
- 2Mot.
- 2Isa. 48.17.
