The true Christians love of the unseen Christ, or, A discourse chiefly tending to…

3. Would you have much Love to Christ? be much in Prayer unto God for this Love. Eph. 6. 23. Peace be unto the Brethren and love with Faith from God the Father. Not only Peace is from God, who is called the God of Peace, and Faith from God, who works it by his Almighty power; but also Love is from God, who is the God of Love; he circumciseth the heart to love himself, and to love his Son. This love of Christ is a Grace of the Spirit, which God doth freely give and powerfully work, the Beginnings of it, the Increase of it, all the Measures and Degrees of it are from him; If you would attain high measures of love to Christ, you must apply your selves unto God in Prayer, and therein diligently seek to him for it. ⟨p. 137⟩If you would have much love to Christ in your hearts, you must be often at the Throne of Grace upon your Knees; and there humbly acknowledge, if not the want, yet the weakness of your love to Christ, bewail your Sins which do damp your Affections, and earnestly request that he would work your hearts unto a strong love; be importunate in Prayer for this, follow God day by day with the same requests, plead with him for it, fill your mouths with Arguments, and fill your Arguments with Faith and fervent Desires. Tell him, whatever loveliness and love there be in Christ, whatever attractives to draw forth your love, yet of your selves you are utterly unable to put forth the least motion of true affection unto Christ. Tell him, that this love to Christ, though it be your Duty, yet it is his Gift, that you ought to act it, but this you cannot do, unless he works it. Tell him how easily he can enkindle this Fire of Love to Christ in your bosoms, and blow it up into a flame. Tell him, he hath bid you to ask and you shall have, and whatever you ask according to his will he heareth, and that it is his will you should love Christ not only truly but also strongly. Tell him, you desire much love to Christ, ⟨p. 138⟩and that these desires do come from himself, and therefore earnestly desire the fulfilling of them. Tell him, if you do not love Christ much, you shall be apt to overlove the Creature, which will be displeasing to him, therefore request that you may have such a love to Christ as may overpower all other love, and keep your hearts from all Inordinacy of affections to any thing beneath and besides the Lord Jesus Christ.