2. Because these acts of Charity are signs of Faith and Love, to which Graces Heaven is promised, James 1.12. James 2.5. Joh. 3.16, 17, ult. Christ ⟨p. 109⟩who knoweth the Heart, understandeth ••om what inward root our outward •ruit springeth; and therefore Faith and Love, which are the Fountain of true Charity, James 2.15, 16, 17. being inward and secret, he mentions what is more open and known, as a sign and testimony of that faith in him, and love to him, which are invisible and unknown to the World. Faith is a Grace seated in the heart, With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; (where, by heart, I suppose is understood the Understanding and Will; for Faith, in habitu, is in each; and in exercitio, an act of both.) And the heart is called an hidden man, 1 Pet. 3. But it discovers it self to the Believer by love. For when once the Soul applieth Christ for Pardon and Life, and begins to hope for those great and good things which Christ hath purchased for him, and promised to him; this Faith kindleth an holy flame of Love in the affections to Christ, and hereby the Soul understands that he is a true Believer beloved of God; for our Love is but the reverberation of God's Love back again to himself, 1 Joh. 4.19. ⟨p. 110⟩And then Faith discovers it self to others, by these fruits and effects of love to God, i. e. feeding the Hungry, and clothing the Naked. St. Paul tells us, That Faith works by love, as its Tool or Instrument, Gal. 5.6. Love to God produceth love to his Saints, and love to the Saints will draw out the hand, and heart, and purse to relieve them in their wants, 1 Joh. 3.17. Love is costly and expensive, thinks nothing too much or too good for its Beloved. Mary's Box of Ointment is very precious, but not too precious for her Lord. Life is worth all the World, yet laid down for a Christian at the command of Love, 1 Joh. 3.16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.
2. Because these acts of Charity are signes of Faith and Love, to which Graces Heaven is promised, James 1.12. James 2.5. Joh. 3.16, 17, ult. Christ ⟨p. 109⟩who knoweth the Heart, understandeth ••om what inward root our outward •ruit springeth; and therefore Faith and Love, which are the Fountain of true Charity, James 2.15, 16, 17. being inward and secret, he mentions what is more open and known, as a sign and testimony of that faith in him, and love to him, which are invisible and unknown to the World. Faith is a Grace seated in the heart, With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; (where, by heart, I suppose is understood the Ʋnderstanding and Will; for Faith, in habitu, is in each; and in exercitio, an act of both.) And the heart is called an hidden man, 1 Pet. 3. But it discovers it self to the Believer by love. For when once the Soul applieth Christ for Pardon and Life, and begins to hope for those great and good things which Christ hath purchased for him, and promised to him; this Faith kindleth an holy flame of Love in the affections to Christ, and hereby the Soul understands that he is a true Believer beloved of God; for our Love is but the reverberation of God's Love back again to himself, 1 Joh. 4.19. ⟨p. 110⟩And then Faith discovers it self to others, by these fruits and effects of love to God, i. e. feeding the Hungry, and cloathing the Naked. St. Paul tells us, That Faith works by love, as its Tool or Instrument, Gal. 5.6. Love to God produceth love to his Saints, and love to the Saints will draw out the hand, and heart, and purse to relieve them in their wants, 1 Joh. 3.17. Love is costly and expensive, thinks nothing too much or too good for its Beloved. Mary's Box of Oyntment is very precious, but not too precious for her Lord. Life is worth all the World, yet laid down for a Christian at the command of Love,
