2. And as they owe Christ this Love and Gratitude, so the thing that they owe it for, is his Redeeming them, or dying in their stead, or satisfying for their Sin: For 1. It is doubtless that they owe it him, not only as Creator but as Redeemer, and if so, it is either for Redeeming others, or themselves. Not only for Redeeming others: For 1. The nature ⟨p. 149⟩of gratitude is to respect some benefits that our selves receive, (either in our own Persons, or in those whose welfare is part of ours) And 2. Man is naturally so near to himself, and the love of himself, so deeply rooted by God in his nature, that he naturally looks at himself before others, and values things as they respect himself. 3. Others good is no mercy to us, further then we participate with them in the benefit; Yea Divines generally conclude, that it will be so far from comforting the damned to see that the Godly are in Heaven, that it will increase their torment. 4. Else it would lay no greater an obligation on these Men to love Christ and be thankful to him, than it doth on the Devils, that Men are redeemed, or than they owe God, that the good Angels are preserved while themselves are condemned. 5. Scripture not only alloweth Men to love and be thankful in reference to our selves, even for that which is good to us, but shows it to be our duty, and the nature of those affections; and that for our own mercies received, we are obliged hereto, 2 Thes. 2. 10 Men are forsaken and damned for not receiving the love of the Truth that they might be saved. How oft are the Israelites (all of them) Commanded to love the Lord with all their Hearts, as their Redeemer from Egypt, which was both an effect and Type of Christs work of Redemption. Deut. 6. 5. and 10. 12. and 11. 1, 13, 22. and 19. 9. and 30. 16. 20. Yea all Gods mercies as well as this deliverance from Egypt, is made, in divers of these Texts, the motive that should provoke them to love and thankfulness: And doubtless, these are all effects of the Death of Christ for them. To love for ⟨p. 150⟩love and for benefits is that which Sinners do, Luk. 6. 32. Not as Sinners, but from the common humanity that is left in them. We love him, because he first loved us, 1 Job. 4. 19. This [because] is not meant only Effectivè, but also objectivè, as to Gods love. The first love of the Soul to Christ cannot be moved from the knowledge of Christs special love to the Soul:
2. And as they owe Christ this Love and Gratitude, so the thing that they owe it for, is his Redeeming them, or dying in their stead, or satisfying for their Sin: For 1. It is doubtless that they owe it him, not only as Creator but as Redeemer, and if so, it is either for Redeeming others, or themselves. Not only for Redeeming others: For 1. The nature ⟨p. 149⟩of gratitude is to respect some benefits that our selves receive, (either in our own Persons, or in those whose welfare is part of ours) And 2. Man is naturally so near to himself, and the love of himself, so deeply rooted by God in his nature, that he naturally looks at himself before others, and values things as they respect himself. 3. Others good is no mercy to us, further then we participate with them in the benefit; Yea Divines generally conclude, that it will be so far from comforting the damned to see that the Godly are in Heaven, that it will encrease their torment. 4. Else it would lay no greater an obligation on these Men to love Christ and be thankful to him, than it doth on the Devils, that Men are redeemed, or than they owe God, that the good Angels are preserved while themselves are condemned. 5. Scripture not only alloweth Men to love and be thankful in reference to our selves, even for that which is good to us, but shews it to be our duty, and the nature of those affections; and that for our own mercies received, we are obliged hereto, 2 Thes. 2. 10 Men are forsaken and damned for not receiving the love of the Truth that they might be saved. How oft are the Israelites (all of them) Commanded to love the Lord with all their Hearts, as their Redeemer from Egypt, which was both an effect and Type of Christs work of Redemption. Deut. 6. 5. and 10. 12. and 11. 1, 13, 22. and 19. 9. and 30. 16. 20. Yea all Gods mercies as well as this deliverance from Egypt, is made, in divers of these Texts, the motive that should provoke them to love and thankfulness: And doubtless, these are all effects of the Death of Christ for them. To love for ⟨p. 150⟩love and for benefits is that which Sinners do,
