A Divine Cordial

9. Love to God evidenceth sincerity,¹ Cant. 1.4. The upright love thee. Many a child of God fears he is an Hypocrite; dost thou love God? When Peter was dejected in the sense of his sin, he thought himself unworthy that ever Christ should take notice of him, or employ him more in the work of his Apostleship; see how Christ goes about to comfort him, Job. 21.15. Peter, lovest thou me? As if Christ had said, Though thou hast denied me through fear, yet if thou canst say from thy heart thou lovest me, thou a•t sincere and upright. To love God is a better sign of sincerity, than to fear him. The Israelites feared Gods Justice, Psal. 78.34. When he slew them, they sought him, and enquired earnestly after God▪ […] all this to? vers. 36, 37. Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth, and lied to him with their tongue; for their heart was not right with him. That repentance is no better than flattery, which a•iseth only from fear of Gods Judgements, and hath no love mixed with it. Loving of God evidenceth that God hath the heart; and if the heart be his, that will command all the rest.

9. Love to God evidenceth sincerity,¹ Cant. 1.4. The upright love thee. Many a child of God fears he is an Hypocrite; dost thou love God? When Peter was dejected in the sense of his sin, he thought himself unworthy that ever Christ should take notice of him, or employ him more in the work of his Apostleship; see how Christ goes about to comfort him, Iob. 21.15. Peter, lovest thou me? As if Christ had said, Though thou hast denied me through fear, yet if thou canst say from thy heart thou lovest me, thou a•t sincere and upright. To love God is a better sign of sincerity, than to fear him. The Israelites feared Gods Justice,