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

The love he here speaks of, is such a love as casts out fear of judgement, and therefore must needs be a securing love.

The love he here speaks of, is such a love as casts out feare of judgement, and therefore must needs be a securing love.

1. Objectivè, By setting us a pattern of love; but that's not all, for all have read and heard of the great love of God to us.

2 Physicè, by working something in us, which makes us to love him. Jer. 31.3. With loving kindness have I drawn thee, and this is not only a moral drawing, by propounding some suitable object, as an horse is drawn by a lock of Hay, for that's a leading rather then a drawing; but Gods drawing us is not only by propounding fit arguments, but by a physical, or rather hyper physical work of his Spirit, he makes us of unwilling to be willing to follow him; objects do not give us a new heart, but God is said to give us a new heart, Ezek. 36.26. this he works.

2 Physicè, by working something in us, which makes us to love him. Jer. 31.3. With loving kindnesse have I drawn thee, and this is not onely a moral drawing, by propounding some suitable object, as an horse is drawn by a lock of Hay, for that's a leading rather then a drawing; but Gods drawing us is not onely by propounding fit arguments, but by a physical, or rather hyper physical work of his Spirit, he makes us of unwilling to be willing to follow him; objects do not give us a new heart, but God is said to give us a new heart, Ezek. 36.26. this he works.

Reas. 1. From the efficacy of Gods gracious work; there is no work of God in us, but it works in our hearts the like suitable work; If God choose us for himself, then we choose him for our God, we choose him, his Word, and favour, and promises, above all treasure; Gods election of us stamps on us an election of him: Hath God purchased us at a dear rate? then we learn to purchase Christ at a dear rate, though with the loss of all we have. Doth God call any of us to be his sons? then we learn to call him Father, Hos. 2.1. to 3. In what ways he walks towards us, we begin to walk towards him, but ever God begins first, Psal. 27.8. When God saith to a soul, Seek my face, then it answers, Thy face O Lord will I seek. If God go on in a constant course of helpfulness by his Spirit to us, then we go on in a constant frame of grace towards him. Jer. 32.40. I will not turn away from them, and then he will put his fear in our hearts, that we shall not turn from him. So that Gods work ever leaves some impression of the like frame in us: if God first love us, then we learn to love him.

Reas. 1. From the efficacy of Gods gracious work; there is no work of God in us, but it works in our hearts the like suitable work; If God choose us for himself, then we choose him for our God, we choose him, his Word, and favour, and promises, above all treasure; Gods election of us stamps on us an election of him: Hath God purchased us at a dear rate? then we learn to purchase Christ at a dear rate, though with the losse of all we have. Doth God call any of us to be his sons? then we learn to call him Father, Hos. 2.1. to 3. In what wayes he walks towards us, we begin to walk towards him, but ever God begins first, Psal. 27.8. When God saith to a soul, Seek my face, then it answers, Thy face O Lord will I seek. If God go on in a constant course of helpfulnesse by his Spirit to us, then we go on in a constant frame of grace towards him. Jer. 32.40. I will not turn away from them, and then he will put his feare in our hearts, that we shall not turn from him. So that Gods work ever leaves some impression of the like frame in us: if God first love us, then we learn to love him.

Use 1. To reprove the Papists and Pelagians, that have attributed the efficacy of grace to other causes. If you should ask the Pelagians of old, & their followers at this day, what is the reason why Peter accepts Gods love. Simon Magus refuseth it? They would say, the one was willing to accept the offer, the other not: Well then, the efficacy of grace consists in our wills, then we begin first. Many of the Papists say the same, but the more moderate amongst them ask them why Peter accepts grace, Simon Magus refuseth it? they say the grace offered was sufficient for them both; but God offered it to Peter in a fit time and place, when his heart was free from temptation; but it was offered to Simon Magus at such a time, when his heart was carried away with the love of money: But the true cause was, Gods first love to Peter, that made him love God again; should God wait for times and opportunities? why, at the best time, mens hearts will find some evasions; if God should stay for a fit time, he should never find it, for Christians can tell, God took hold on them, when their hearts were most undisposed to it. How long is it before they can be convinced of their dangerous estate, or will be brought on to seek for help, till God awaken their hearts and open their eyes, so that they would be glad to see one glimpse of favour? why, tell them of never so fair promises, they cannot be brought to embrace them; so that unless God mightily draws us to it, we should never come on to accept of the offer of grace; but we therefore love God, because by his preventing love he brought us to that, which of our selves we could never have been brought to.

Ʋse 1. To reprove the Papists and Pelagians, that have attributed the efficacy of grace to other causes. If you should ask the Pelagians of old, & their followers at this day, what is the reason why Peter accepts Gods love. Simon Magus refuseth it? They would say, the one was willing to accept the offer, the other not: Well then, the efficacy of grace consists in our wils, then we begin first. Many of the Papists say the same, but the more moderate amongst them ask them why Peter accepts grace, Simon Magus refuseth it? they say the grace offered was sufficient for them both; but God offered it to Peter in a fit time and place, when his heart was free from temptation; but it was offered to Simon Magus at such a time, when his heart was carried away with the love of money: But the true cause was, Gods first love to Peter, that made him love God again; should God wait for times and opportunities? why, at the best time, mens hearts will finde some evasions; if God should stay for a fit time, he should never find it, for Christians can tell, God took hold on them, when their hearts were most undisposed to it. How long is it before they can be convinced of their dangerous estate, or will be brought on to seek for help, till God awaken their hearts and open their eyes, so that they would be glad to see one glimpse of favour? why, tell them of never so fair promises, they cannot be brought to embrace them; so that unlesse God mightily draws us to it, we should never come on to accept of the offer of grace; but we therefore love God, because by his preventing love he brought us to that, which of our selves we could never have been brought to.

Use 2. Would a man know whether God love him or no? a needful point to be known. Why, no man can know it by these outward things, these fall alike to all, Eccles. 9.1. Why, enquire you how thy heart stands affected to God? if thou canst find in thy heart that thou lovest God, the Text will tell thee, that God loveth thee.

Ʋse 2. Would a man know whether God love him or no? a needful point to be known. Why, no man can know it by these outward things, these fall alike to all, Ecles. 9.1. Why, enquire you how thy heart stands affected to God? if thou canst find in thy heart that thou lovest God, the Text will tell thee, that God loveth thee.

Object. Love God? who doth not? God forbid that any should not love God.

Answ. That thou mayest know this indeed, dost thou find thy heart choosing God above all things in the world? Why, thou couldst not thus choose God, unless he had first chosen thee; if thou findest thou canst be content to purchase Christ at the loss of thy dearest comforts, then make account that God hath loved thee, and been willing to part with Christ for thee: What made Abraham willing to offer up his Son, but that he knew that God had given his Son to dye for him? Canst thou look up to God as thy Father? then he hath adopted thee for his Son; dost thou find thy heart cleaving close to God, as David did, Psal. 73. ult. It's good for me to draw near to God? why, it's evident that Gods love is constant to thee, because thine is so constant to him.

Answ. That thou mayest know this indeed, dost thou find thy heart choosing God above all things in the world? Why, thou couldst not thus choose God, unlesse he had first chosen thee; if thou findest thou canst be content to purchase Christ at the losse of thy dearest comforts, then make account that God hath loved thee, and been willing to part with Christ for thee: What made Abraham willing to offer up his Son, but that he knew that God had given his Son to dye for him? Canst thou look up to God as thy Father? then he hath adopted thee for his Son; dost thou find thy heart cleaving close to God, as David did, Psal. 73. ult. It's good for me to draw near to God? why, it's evident that Gods love is constant to thee, because thine is so constant to him.

Use 3 Of consolation to such as do find in their hearts that they do love God; if thou findest thou couldst be willing to part with all for his sake; why, then surely, God so loved thee first, that he will rather part with any thing then thee, Isa. 43.4. O how this should stir us up to love God more then ever we did; if thou lovest God dearly, and prizest him above all things; why, this will seal up to thee, that he loveth thee as dearly; if you would know whether God love you with a love unto life, why, labour you to love him with a lively love.

Ʋse 3 Of consolation to such as doe find in their hearts that they doe love God; if thou findest thou couldst be willing to part with all for his sake; why, then surely, God so loved thee first, that he will rather part with any thing then thee, Isa. 43.4. O how this should stir us up to love God more then ever we did; if thou lovest God dearly, and prizest him above all things; why, this will seal up to thee, that he loveth thee as dearly; if you would know whether God love you with a love unto life, why, labour you to love him with a lively love.

1 JOHN 4.20, 21, If any man say, I love God, and hateth his Brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen, &c.

1 JOHN 4.20, 21, If any man say, I love God, and hateth his Brother, he is a lyar: for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen, &c.

These words continue the discourse hegun, verse 12: wherein he useth two motives to stir us up to love our Brethren.

THese words continue the discourse hegun, verse 12: wherein he useth two motives to stir us up to love our Brethren.

1 From the fellowship such have with God, amplified from the 13. verse to 16.

2 From the soundness of Gods love to such; from verse 17. to the end.

2 From the soundnesse of Gods love to such; from verse 17. to the end.

In these two verses, he argues this truth by the contrary, viz. that such as hate their Brethren, their love is not perfect but unsound: If any man say, he loves God, and hates his brother, he is a liar, then he loves not God, this he proves by a double argument.

In these two verses, he argues this truth by the contrary, viz. that such as hate their Brethren, their love is not perfect but unsound: If any man say, he loves God, and hates his brother, he is a lyar, then he loves not God, this he proves by a double argument.

1 From the greater occasion he hath to love his Brother then God, therefore if he love not his brother, he loves not God, and the occasion is, the daily sight of his brother.

1 From the greater occasion he hath to love his Brothrr then God, therefore if he love not his brother, he loves not God, and the occasion is, the dayly sight of his brother.