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

Doct. That the sending of Christ for our sakes was, a fruit not only of his love, but of his free love, Rom. 5.8, 4.

Herein is love, John 3.16. God so loved the world, implying there was a love of God that moved him to send Christ before we did believe, that believing on him, we might have mercy and salvation: Love is said to be free in two respects.

1 When love is granted, without nny desert on their parts to whom it is granted, and then it is so much the greater, when there is no fitness of the persons that receive it, but, rather the contrary; if men shall deserve our love, our love is not free; Gods love is so free as that he sent his Son into the world to redeem us, when we did not deserve it, but rather wrath Col. 1.21.

1 When love is granted, without nny desert on their parts to whom it is granted, and then it is so much the greater, when there is no fitnesse of the persons that receive it, but, rather the contrary; if men shall deserve our love, our love is not free; Gods love is so free as that he sent his Son into the world to redeem us, when we did not deserve it, but rather wrath Col. 1.21.

Object. But why then is faith required, Joh. 3.16. & verse 36. He that believes in the Son, shall have everlasting life.

Answ. True indeed, there is a condition required, but in what sort? It is this, That the same God that requires the condition, doth promise likewise, that he will work the condition; and therefore the love of God is free.

Object. But we did bring something to God, that did make him deal thus graciously with us?

Object. But we did bring something to God, that did make him deale thus graciously with us?

Answ. Ezek. 36.32, 33. the Lord doth show mercy freely, without any condition on our parts, Be ashamed and confounded O house of Israel.

Answ. Ezek. 36.32, 33. the Lord doth shew mercy freely, without any condition on our parts, Be ashamed and confounded O house of Israel.

Object. God requires faith on my part, but faith is a supernatural gift, nature cannot reach to it, he that believes shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned. The condemnation is unjust because it is not in my power to believe.

Object. God requires faith on my part, but faith is a supernaturall gift, nature cannot reach to it, he that believes shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned. The condemnation is unjust because it is not in my power to believe.

Answ. He is condemned, because light is come into the world, and men love darkness more then light.

Answ. He is condemned, because light is come into the world, and men love darknesse more then light.

Reas. 1. Is taken from the estate in which we lay before Christ was sent into the world we were then strangers and enemies, Col. 1.21. we were not fit to receive mercy, much less to deserve any.

Reas. 1. Is taken from the estate in which we lay before Christ was sent into the world we were then strangers and enemies, Col. 1.21. we were not fit to receive mercy, much lesse to deserve any.

2 This God did that the glory of his great name might appear, Ephes. 1.5, 6, 7. Deut. 7.8. God did not love us, because we were many, but because it pleased him to love us: there is a great difference in the death of Christ, in respect of his own and the wicked; the benefit they have by Christs death is this, that they partake of Gods patience and bounty: for the same day that Adam sinned, he and his posterity should have dyed, Gen. 3.15. But the benefit that the godly have, is, that we might live, and that we might all come to the knowledge of his grace, 2 Pet. 3.9. Rom. 2.4, 5. so that if they ask why God is patient to the world, it is for Christs sake, Exod. 33.1. to 5.

3 God sent Christ into the world, that so he suffering, his Elect might suffer, he growing, they might grow, and he dying, they might dye, Col. 2.29. There is a difference between Christs dying for the world, and for the elect; He so dyed for the Elect, as that he prayed that his death might be effectual to them, John 17.9.20, 21. he prays for all them that shall believe in him, he prays not for the world.

3 God sent Christ into the world, that so he suffering, his Elect might suffer, he growing, they might grow, and he dying, they might dye, Col. 2.29. There is a difference between Christs dying for the world, and for the elect; He so dyed for the Elect, as that he prayed that his death might be effectuall to them, John 17.9.20, 21. he prayes for all them that shall believe in him, he prayes not for the world.

Use 1. This refutes an error of the Papists, that Christ was equal in his love to all the world, and that without difference God sent his Son for the one as well as for the other; they say God doth not bestow his love without condition; this we deny.

Ʋse 1. This refutes an errour of the Papists, that Christ was equall in his love to all the world, and that without difference God sent his Son for the one as well as for the other; they say God doth not bestow his love without condition; this we deny.

2 This teacheth us that have pardon of sins, to acknowledge Gods love, in that he sent his Son freely, Rom. 5.8.

3 A ground of comfort, if God so loved us, when we loved not him, then how much more being reconciled? Rom. 5.8, 9, 10.