The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

And what admirable Goodness is it, that he puts a value upon our affection, and accepts such a small return! our most intense and ardent love bears no more proportion to his, than a spark to the Element of Fire. Besides, His Love to us was pure, and ⟨p. 216⟩without any benefit to himself; but ours to him is profitable to our Souls, for their eternal advantage. Yet with this He is fully satisfied; when we love Him in the quality of a Saviour, we give Him the Glory of that he designs most to be Glorified in, that is, of his Mercy to the miserable. For this reason he instituted the Sacrament of the Supper, the contrivance of his Love, to refresh the memory of his Death, and quicken our fainting love to him. Now the Love that our Saviour requires must be.

1. Sincere and Unfeigned. This declares it self by a care to please Him in all things. If a Man love me, saith our Saviour, he will keep my Commandments. Obedience is the most natural and necessary product of Love. For Love is the spring of Action, and employs all the faculties in the service of the person loved.¹ The Apostle expresses the force of it by an emphatical Word, The Love of Christ constrains us: it signifies to have one bound, and so much under power that he cannot move without leave. As the inspired Prophets were carried by the Spirit, and entirely acted by his motions.² Such an absolute Empire had the Love of Christ over him, ruling all the inclinations of his Heart, and actions of his Life. 'Tis this alone makes Obedience cheerful, and constant. For Love is seated in the Will, and the Obedience that proceeds from it, is out of choice, and purely voluntary. No Commandment is grievous that is performed from Love. ³And it makes Obedience constant: that which is forced from the impression of fear is unsteadfast; but what is mixed with delight is lasting.