A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Quest. What kind of love was it, that God bare to the world in that he sent his Son, Tit. 3.5. was it his love towards mankind, by which he did love the whole world, or a peculiar love which he bare to the people of the Election of grace? Joh. 3.16. The Arminians say, that he bare a love to the World, and this love was general to all, before the sending of Christ, and therefore all may be saved.

Quest. What kind of love was it, that God bare to the world in that he sent his Son, Tit. 3.5. was it his love towards mankinde, by which he did love the whole world, or a peculiar love which he bare to the people of the Election of grace? Joh. 3.16. The Arminians say, that he bare a love to the World, and this love was generall to all, before the sending of Christ, and therefore all may be saved.

The truth is, that God bare a love to the world, a [Greek or Hebrew] reaching to all, but he bare an ancient love to his own people, had he only bore a general love (as they say) all men might have perished, for if God sent his Son, that whosoever believed, should be saved, was it in the will to believe or not? yes say they, he gave them means, but they might will or not; if this was a general love, then there was a greater love, then the sending of Christ, which is contrary to Scripture, Greater love then this hath no man.

The truth is, that God bare a love to the world, a 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 reaching to all, but he bare an antient love to his owne people, had he onely bore a generall love (as they say) all men might have perished, for if God sent his Son, that whosoever believed, should be saved, was it in the will to believe or not? yes say they, he gave them means, but they might will or not; if this was a generall love, then there was a greater love, then the sending of Christ, which is contrary to Scripture, Greater love then this hath no man.

Use 1. Let us magnify the love of God to us in Christ, we esteem much of ancient love, it (like wine) is the best, God loved us, before he did send Christ, before the foundation of the world was laid Jer. 31.3. This love was without reason on our parts, for we were enemies to him.

Ʋse 1. Let us magnifie the love of God to us in Christ, we esteeme much of ancient love, it (like wine) is the best, God loved us, before he did send Christ, before the foundation of the world was laid Jer. 31.3. This love was without reason on our parts, for we were enemies to him.

3 If God so loved the world, we ought to love one another.

Doct. God sending his only begotten Son into the world, is a manifest token of Gods love to us.

John 3.16. God so loved the world, this love is manifest.

1 If we consider, that God doth not only send us bodily bread every day, but the bread of eternal life, not so much the gift, as the giver himself.

1 If we consider, that God doth not only send us bodily bread every day, but the bread of eternall life, not so much the gift, as the giver himself.

2 Consider upon what terms we stood with God, when he sent us his ⟨p. 299⟩on? Even then when we provoked him to his face, and were enemies to his Majesty, Rom. 5.8.

2 Consider upon what tearmes we stood with God, when he sent us his ⟨p. 299⟩on? Even then when we provoked him to his face, and were enemies to his Majesty, Rom. 5.8.

3 Consider we that God looked not at the Angels, but the seed of man, God passed over Angels, left them in chains of darkness, Heb. 2.16. but of man he said, shall he fall and not rise again?

3 Consider we that God looked not at the Angels, but the seed of man, God passed over Angels, left them in chains of darknesse, Heb. 2.16. but of man he said, shall he fall and not rise again?

Consider we were strangers and enemies to God; dead in sins and trespasses▪ and so we did neither desire nor deserve love, yet us he hath reconciled, Col. 1.21. Ephes. 2.4, 5.

4 Consider Christ who was sent, had it been a morsel of daily bread, it had been a great mercy, but in Christ he sent an horn of salvation, Psal. 89.19. Luke 1.69.

4 Consider Christ who was sent, had it been a morsell of dayly bread, it had been a great mercy, but in Christ he sent an horn of salvation, Psal. 89.19. Luke 1.69.

Consider Christ, not as a servant, but a Son, and a well-beloved Son in whom he was well pleased, and such a Son as thought it no blasphemy to think and say, he was equal with God, Phil. 2.5, 6.

Consider Christ, not as a servant, but a Son, and a well-beloved Son in whom he was well pleased, and such a Son as thought it no blasphemy to think and say, he was equall with God, Phil. 2.5, 6.

5 Consider whither God sent his Son, into the world; our salvation could not be wrought in heaven, it was no place for suffering, no place for a man to be born in; therefore needful that Christ should come down.

5 Consider whither God sent his Son, into the world; our salvation could not be wrought in heaven, it was no place for suffering, no place for a man to be born in; therefore needfull that Christ should come down.

Consider, the world did not put on Christ that honour which was due unto him, but rather dishonour, a Crown of thorns.

Consider, the more the world knew him; the more they hated him; in heaven they adore and honour him; but you have known me and hated me, saith he, John 15.18. This is the heir, come, let us kill him.