The third subject of meditation is, §3*meditate upon the love of Christ*. Christ is as full of love, as he is of merit. What was it but love, that he should save us, and not ⟨p. 91⟩not the Angels? Among the rarities of the Load-stone, this is not the least, that leaving the gold and pearl, it should draw iron to it, which is a baser kind of metal; so that Christ should leave the Angels, those more noble spirits, the gold and pearl, and draw mankind to him, how doth this proclaim his love! Love was the wing on which he did fly into the Virgins womb. §11. How transcendent is Christs love to the Saints! The Apostle calls it a love that passeth knowledge*, Ephes. 3.19. 'Tis such a love as God the Father bears to Christ; the same for quality, though not equality, Joh. 15.9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: A believers heart is the garden where Christ hath planted this sweet flower of his love. 'Tis the channel through which the golden stream of his affection runs. 2. How distinguishing is Christ love, §21 Corinth. 1.26. Not many wise, ⟨p. 92⟩not many noble are called. In the old Law God passed by the Lion and the Eagle, and took the Dove for sacrifice; that God should pass by so many of birth and parts, and that the lot of free-grace should fall upon thee; [Greek or Hebrew], O the depth of divine love! §33. How invincible is the love of Christ! It is strong as death, Cant. 8 6. Death might take away his life, not his love*: and as death, so neither sin could wholly quench that divine flame of love, the Church had her [Greek or Hebrew], her infirmities, her sleepy fits, Cant. 5.2. but though blacked and sullied, yet still a Dove, Christ could see the faith, & wink at the failing: He who drew Alexander while there was a scar upon his face, drew him with his finger upon the scar: Christ puts the finger of mercy upon the scars of the Saints; ⟨p. 93⟩he will not throw away his pearls for every speck of dirt. And wch makes this love of Christ the more stupendous; There was nothing in us to excite or draw forth his love*: He did not love us, because we were worthy, but by loving us, made us worthy; 4 How immutable is Christs love? Having loved his own, §4he loved them to the end*. The Saints are like letters of gold engraven upon Christs heart, which cannot be raced out. Meditate much upon the love of Christ.
THe third subject of meditation is, §3*meditate upon the love of Christ*. Christ is as full of love, as he is of merit. What was it but love, that he should save us, and not ⟨p. 91⟩not the Angels? Among the rarities of the Load-stone, this is not the least, that leaving the gold and pearl, it should draw iron to it, which is a baser kinde of mettal; so that Christ should leave the Angels, those more noble spirits, the gold and pearl, and draw mankinde to him, how doth this proclaime his love! Love was the wing on which he did flie into the Virgins womb. §11. How transcendent is Christs love to the Saints! The Apostle calls it a love that passeth knowledge*, Ephes. 3.19. 'Tis such a love as God the Father bears to Christ; the same for quality, though not equality, Joh. 15.9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: A beleevers heart is the garden where Christ hath planted this sweet flower of his love. 'Tis the channel through which the golden stream of his affection runnes. 2. How distinguishing is Christ love, §21 Corinth. 1.26. Not many wise, ⟨p. 92⟩not many noble are called. In the old Law God passed by the Lion and the Eagle, and took the Dove for sacrifice; that God should passe by so many of birth and parts, and that the lot of free-grace should fall upon thee; 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, O the depth of divine love! §33. How invinsible is the love of Christ! It is strong as death, Cant. 8 6. Death might take away his life, not his love*: and as death, so neither sinne could wholly quench that divine flame of love, the Church had her , her infirmities, her sleepy fits,
- *Meditate on the love of Christ.
- *Rev. 1.5
- *[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- *Absorbeat igitur mentem meam ab omnibus quae sub caelo sunt ignita & melliflua vis tui amoris ut totus tibi inhaeream solaque suavitatis tuae dulcedine pascar & inchrier.
- *Non dilexit dignos, sed diligendo efficit dignos Aug.
- *Joh. 13.1
