1 They are the breathings of Divine love and affection. It is an Argument of Gods wonderful love to his children, ⟨p. 151⟩that he is pleased to enter into a Promise and Covenant to be their God, and to give them Christ, and in Christ all blessings here, and hereafter. We read Gen. 17. 2, 3. when God told Abraham that he would make a Covenant with him, he fell on his face as astonished at so great a mercy, and as thankfully acknowledging the goodness of God towards him. The like we read of David. When God by Nathan made a promise to him,1 he goes into Gods house, and prays, Who am I, O Lord, and what is my house, that the Lord my God should do this! &c. The Promises are the Cabinets of the tender bowels of God, they contain the dear and tender love of God towards his elect children, God by promising makes himself a debtor to them. Now that God who is bound to none (no not to the Angels of Heaven) should enter into bonds, and bind himself to give grace and glory to his elect children, this is love above expression. ⟨p. 152⟩And there is nothing moved God to do this (but as I have said) his free grace and mercy. For though God be now bound out of justice and faithfulness to fulfil his Promises, yet nothing moved him to make these promises, but his love and mercy, as David saith of what God had promised to him, 2 Sam. 7. 21. According to thine own heart (ex mero motu voluntatis) and according to thy Word, not for any thing in me, For what am I, O Lord! &c. Thus you see how the Promises are the breathings of Divine love and affection, and upon this account are very useful and profitable. For love is loves lodestone; therefore the Apostle saith,2 We love him, because he loved us first. The sense of Gods love to us, will kindle a love in us to God. Even as the beams of the Sun reflecting upon a Wall, heats those that walk by the Wall. So the Beams of Gods love shining into our souls, warms our hearts with the love ⟨p. 153⟩of God. The lov• of God constrains us, as saith Paul, 2 Cor. 5. 14. There is a compulsive and constraining power in love. What did not Jacob do for the love of Rachel? How was Mephibosheth affected with the love of David? 2 Sam. 9. 8. It is our duty to love those that hate us, but not to love those that love us, is more than heathenish and brutish▪
1 They are the breathings of Divine love and affection. It is an Argument of Gods wonderful love to his children, ⟨p. 151⟩that hee is pleased to enter into a Promise and Covenant to bee their God, and to give them Christ, and in Christ all blessings here, and hereafter. Wee read Gen. 17. 2, 3. when God told Abraham that hee would make a Covenant with him, hee fell on his face as astonished at so great a mercy, and as thankfully acknowledging the goodness of God towards him. The like wee read of David. When God by Nathan made a promise to him,1 hee goes into Gods house, and prayes, Who am I, O Lord, and what is my house, that the Lord my God should do this! &c. The Promises are the Cabinets of the tender bowels of God, they contain the dear and tender love of God towards his elect children, God by promising makes himself a debtor to them. Now that God who is bound to none (no not to the Angels of Heaven) should enter into bonds, and binde himselfe to give grace and glory to his elect children, this is love above expression. ⟨p. 152⟩And there is nothing moved God to do this (but as I have said) his free grace and mercy. For though God bee now bound out of justice and faithfulness to fulfill his Promises, yet nothing moved him to make these promises, but his love and mercy, as David saith of what God had promised to him, 2 Sam. 7. 21. According to thine own heart (ex mero motu voluntatis) and according to thy Word, not for any thing in mee, For what am I, O Lord! &c. Thus you see how the Promises are the breathings of Divine love and affection, and upon this account are very usefull and profitable. For love is loves loadstone; therefore the Apostle saith,2 Wee love him, because hee loved us first. The sense of Gods love to us, will kindle a love in us to God. Even as the beams of the Sun reflecting upon a VVall, heats those that walk by the Wall. So the Beams of Gods love shining into our souls, warms our hearts with the love ⟨p. 153⟩of God. The lov• of God constrains us, as saith Paul, 2 Cor. 5. 14. There is a compulsive and constraining power in love. What did not Iacob do for the love of Rachel? How was Mephibosheth affected with the love of David?
- 12 Sam 7. 11, 18, 19.
- 2Magnes amo•is amor. 1 Joh. 4, 19.Magnes amo•is amor. 1 Ioh. 4, 19.
