Christ Set Forth

Now for the second Branch of this Demonstration, namely, that that love which Christ, when on earth, expressed to be in his heart, and which made him die for sinners upon this command of his Father, that it doth certainly continue in his heart still, now that he is in Heaven, and that as quick and as tender as ever it was on earth, even as when he was on the Cross, & that because of his Fathers command. It is evidenced thus: For it being a Law written in the midst of his bowels by his Father, it becomes natural to him, and so indelible, and (as other Moral Laws of God written in the heart are) perpetual. And as in us, when we shall be in heaven, though Faith shall fail, and Hope vanish, yet Love shall continue, (as the Apostle speaks) so doth this love in Christs heart continue also, and suffers no decay; and is shown as much now in receiving sinners, and interceding for them, and being pitiful unto them, as then in dying for them. And this love to sinners being so commanded & pressed upon him, (as was said) that as he would have his Father love him, he should love them; ⟨p. 53⟩and so, being urged upon all that great love that is between him and his Father; this as it must needs work and boil up a strong love in him unto sinners, so likewise the most constant and never-decaying love that could be: And this is argued from the analogy of that principle upon which Christ urgeth us to love himself, John 15. 10. He moveth his Disciples to keep the Commandments he gave them, and useth this argument, [For so shall you abide in my love;] and backs it with his own instance, [even as I have kept my Fathers commandments, and abide in his love.] Now therefore this being the great Commandment that God layeth on him, to love, and die for, and to continue to love, and receive sinners that come to him, and raise them up at the latter day, certainly he continues to keep it most exactly, as being one of the great ties between him and his Father, so to continue in his love to him. Therefore so long as he continues in his Fathers love, (and now he is in heaven, and at his right hand, he must needs continue in highest favour with him;) so long we may be sure he continues to observe this. And thus that he should continue still to love us, both love to his Father, and love to himself obligeth him:

Novv for the second Branch of this Demonstration, namely, that that love vvhich Christ, vvhen on earth, expressed to be in his heart, and vvhich made him die for sinners upon this command of his Father, that it doth certainly continue in his heart still, novv that hee is in Heaven, and that as quick and as tender as ever it was on earth, even as vvhen he vvas on the Crosse, & that because of his Fathers command. It is evidenced thus: For it being a Law vvritten in the midst of his bowels by his Father, it becomes naturall to him, and so indelible, and (as other Morall Laws of God written in the heart are) perpetuall. And as in us, when we shall be in heaven, though Faith shall faile, and Hope vanish, yet Love shall continue, (as the Apostle speaks) so doth this love in Christs heart continue also, and suffers no decay; and is shewne as much now in receiving sinners, and interceding for them, and being pitifull unto them, as then in dying for them. And this love to sinners being so commanded & pressed upon him, (as was said) that as he would have his Father love him, he should love them;