Of the Commandments.

Of the Commandments.

Exod. 20.6.

Shewing Mercy unto Thousands, &c.

THis is another Argument against Image-worship, because such as do not provoke God with their Images, he is merciful to them, and will entail Mercy upon their Posterity, Shewing Mercy to Thousands.

1. Here is the golden Scepter of Gods Mercy display'd. 2. The Persons interested in Gods Mercy, such as love him and keep his Commandments.

1. The Golden Scepter of Gods Mercy display'd, shewing Mercy to Thousands. The Heathens thought they praised Iupiter enough, when they called him [gap], Good and Great. Both these Excellencies meet in God, Majesty and Mercy. Mercy is that innate propensness in God to do good to Distressed Sinners. God shewing Mercy, makes his Godhead appear full of Glory. When Moses said to God, I beseech thee shew me thy Glory, I will (saith God) shew Mercy, Exod. 33.19. His Mercy is his Glory. Mercy is the Name by which God will be known, Exod. 34.6. The Lord passed by, and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, Merciful and Gracious. Mercy proceeds primarily and originally from God; he is called the Father of Mercies, 2 Cor. 1.3. because he begets all those Mercies and Bowels which are in the Creature. Our Mercies compared with Gods, are scarce so much as the Drop to the Ocean.

Quest. What are the Qualifications?

Resp. 1. The Spring of Mercy which God shews, is free and spontaneous: To set up Merit, is to destroy Mercy; nothing can deserve Mercy, or force it, we cannot deserve Mercy, because of our Enmity, nor force it; we may force God to punish us, not to love us, Hos. 14.4. I will love them freely. Every link in the golden Chain of Salvation is wrought and interwoven with Free-grace. Election is free, Eph. 1.4. He hath chosen us in him, [gap], according to the good pleasure of his Will. Justification is free, Rom. 3.24. Being justified freely by his Grace. Say, not then, I am unworthy, for Mercy is free. If God should shew Mercy only to such as deserve it, he must shew Mercy to none at all.

2. The Mercy God shews is Powerful. How Powerful is that Mercy which softens an Heart of Stone? Mercy changed Mary Magdalens Heart, out of whom Seven Devils were cast. She who was an Inflexible Adamant, Mercy made her a weeping Penitent. Gods Mercy works sweetly, yet irresistibly; it allures, yet conquers. The Law may terrifie, Mercy doth mollifie. Of what Sovereign Power and Efficacy is that Mercy which subdues the Pride and Enmity of the Heart, and beats off those Chains of Sin in which the Soul is held!

3. The Mercy which God shews is superabundant, Exod. 34.6. Abundant in Goodness, shewing Mercy to Thousands. God visits Iniquity only to the Third and Fourth Generation, Exod. 20.5. But he shews Mercy to a Thousand Generations. The Lord hath Treasures of Mercy lying by, therefore he is said to be Plenteous in Mercy, Psal. 86.5. And Rich in Mercy, Ephes. 2.4. The Viol of God's Wrath doth but drop, but the Fountain of his Mercy runs. The Sun is not so full of Light, as God is of Love.

God hath Mercy, First, Of all Dimensions; he hath Depth of Mercy, it reacheth as low as Sinners; and Heighth of Mercy, it reacheth above the Clouds.

Secondly, God hath Mercies of all Seasons; Mercies for the Night, he gives Sleep, nay sometimes he gives a Song in the Night, Psal. 42.8. And he hath Mercies for the Morning, Lam. 3.23. His Compassions are fresh every Morning.

Thirdly, God hath Mercies for all sorts. Mercies for the Poor, 1 Sam. 2.8. He raiseth the Poor out of the Dust. Mercies for the Prisoner, Psal. 69.33. He despiseth not his Prisoners. Mercies for the Dejected, Isa. 54.8. In a little Wrath I hid my Face from thee, but with great Mercies will I gather thee. God hath old Mercies, Psal. 25.6. Thy Mercies have been ever of old. And new Mercies, Psal. 40.3. He hath put a new Song in my Mouth. Every time we draw our Breath, we suck in Mercy; God hath Mercies under Heaven, and those we taste of, and Mercies in Heaven, and those we hope for: Thus Gods Mercy is superabundant.

4. The Mercy God shews is abiding, Psal. 103.16. The Mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting. Gods anger to his Children lasts but a while, Psal. 103.9. but his Mercy lasts for ever. Gods Mercy is not like the Widows Oyl, which ran a while and then ceased, 2 Kings 4.6. Over-flowing, Ever-flowing. Gods Mercy as it is without Bounds, so without Bottom, Psal. 136. His Mercy endures for ever. God never cuts off the Intail of Mercy from the Elect.

Quest. 2. How many ways is God said to shew Mercy?

Resp. 1. We are all Living Monuments of Gods Mercy. God shews Mercy to us in dayly supplying us. First, He supplies us with Health. Health is the Sawce which makes our Life relish Sweeter. How would they prize this Mercy, who are Chain'd to a Sick-bed? Secondly, God supplies us with Provision, Gen. 48.15. The God who hath fed me all my Days. Mercy spreads our Table, it carves us every bit of Bread we eat; we never drink but in the Golden Cup of Mercy.

2. God shews Mercy in lengthening out our Gospel-Liberties, 1 Cor. 16.9. [gap]; there are many Adversaries; many would stop the Waters of the Sanctuary that they should not run: We enjoy the sweet Seasons of Grace, we hear joyful Sounds, we see the goings of God in his Sanctuary, we enjoy Sabbath after Sabbath; the Manna of the Word yet falls about our Tents, when in divers parts of the Land they have no Manna. Here is God shewing Mercy to us; he spins out our forfeited Liberties.

3. God shews Mercy to us in preventing many Evils from invading us, Psal. 3.3. Thou O Lord art a Shield for me. God hath restrained the Wrath of Men, and been a Screen between us and Danger. When the Destroying Angel hath been abroad, and shot his deadly Arrow of Pestilence, God hath kept off the Arrow that it hath not come near us.

4. God shews Mercy in delivering us, 2 Tim. 4.17. And I was delivered out of the Mouth of the Lion, viz. Nero. God hath restored us from the Grave. May we not write the Writing of Hezekiah, Isa. 38 9. when he had been sick, and was recovered of his Sickness? When we thought the Sun of our Life had been setting, God hath made it return to its former Brightness.

5. God shews Mercy in restraining of us from Sin: Lusts within, are worse than Lions without. The greatest sign of Gods Anger, is to give Men up to their Sins, Psal. 81.12. So I gave them up to their own Hearts Lusts; let them Sin themselves to Hell. But God hath laid the Bridle of restraining Grace upon us: As God said to Abimelech, Gen. 20.6. I withheld thee from sinning against me. So God withheld us from those Exorbitancies which might have made us a Prey to Satan, and a Terrour to our Selves.

6. God shews Mercy in guiding and directing us. Is it not a Mercy for one that is out of the way, to have a Guide? First, There is a Providential guiding, God guides our Affairs for us, Chaulks out a way he would have us to walk in; he resolves our Doubts, unties our Knots, appoints the bounds of our Habitation, Acts 17.26. Secondly, A Spiritual guiding, Psal. 73.24. Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel. As Israel had a Pillar of Fire to go before them, so God guides us with the Oracles of his Word, and the Conduct of his Spirit. He guides our Head, keeps us from error, and he guides our Feet, keeps us from Scandal. O what Mercy is it to have God to be our Guide and Pilot, Psal. 31.3. For thy Name's sake lead me and guide me.

7. God shews Mercy in Correcting us. God is Angry in Love, he smites that he may save Gods Rod is not a Rod of Iron to break us, but a Fatherly Rod to Humble us, Heb. 12.10. He for our profit, that we may be partakers of his Holiness. Either God will mortifie some corruption, or exercise some grace. Is there not Mercy in this? Every Cross to a Child of God, is like Paul's Cross Wind, which though it broak the Ship, it brought Paul to Shoar upon the broken Pieces, Acts 27.44.

8. God shews Mercy in Pardoning us, Mic. 7.18. Who is a God like thee, that pardonest Iniquity? 'Tis Mercy to Feed us, Rich Mercy to Pardon us. This Mercy is spun out of the Bowels of Free Grace; this is enough to make a Sick Man well, Isa. 33.24. The Inhabitant shall not say I am Sick, the People that dwell therein, shall be forgiven their Iniquity. Pardon of Sin is a Mercy of the first Magnitude, God seals the Sinners Pardon with a Kiss. This made David put on his best Cloaths, and anoint himself; his Child newly Dead, and God had told him the Sword should not depart from his House, yet now he falls Anointing himself; the reason was, God had sent him his Pardon by the Prophet Nathan, 2 Sam. 12.13. The Lord hath put away thy Sin. Pardon is the only fit Remedy for a troubled Conscience. What can give ease to a Wounded Spirit, but pardoning Mercy? Offer him the Honours and Pleasures of the World, 'tis as if you bring Flowers and Musick to one that is condemned.

Quest. How may I know my Sins are pardoned?

Resp. Where God removes the guilt, he breaks the power of Sin, Mic. 7.19. He will have Compassion, he will subdue our Iniquities. With Pardoning Love God gives Subduing Grace.

9. God shews his Mercy in Sanctifying us, Lev. 20.8. I am the Lord that sanctifie you. This is the partaking of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Consecration; though it Sanctifies us but in part, yet in every part, 1 Thes. 5.23. This is such a Mercy, that God cannot give in Anger, if we are Sanctified, then we are Elected, 2 Thes. 2.13. God hath chosen you, to Salvation through Sanctification. This doth disponere ad Coelum, it prepares for Happiness, as the Seed prepares

for Harvest. When the Virgins had been Anointed and Perfumed, then they were to stand before the King, Esther 2.12. So when we have had the Anointing of God, then we shall stand before the King of Heaven.

10. God shews Mercy in hearing our Prayers, Psal. 4 1. Have Mercy upon me, and hear my Prayer. Is it not a Favour when a Man puts up a Petition to the King, and hath it granted? When we pray for Pardon, Adoption, the Sense of Gods Love, to have God give a gracious Answer, what a signal Mercy is this? God may sometimes delay an Answer, when he will not deny. You do not presently throw a Musician Mony, because you love to hear his Musick. God loves the Musick of Prayer, therefore doth not presently let us hear from him; but in due Season he will give an Answer of Peace. Psal. 66.20. Blessed be God who hath not turned away my Prayer nor his Mercy from me. If God doth not turn away our Prayer, then he doth not turn away his Mercy.

11. God shews Mercy in Saving us, Tit. 3.5. According to his Mercy he saved us. This is the [gap], the Top Stone of Mercy, and it is laid in Heaven. Now Mercy displays it self in all its Orient Colours; now Mercy is Mercy is indeed, when God shall perfectly refine us from all the [gap]ees and Dregs of Corruption. Our Bodies shall be made like Christs Glorious Body, and our Souls like the Angels-Saving Mercy is Crowning Mercy. 'Tis not only to be freed from Hell, but inthroned in a Kingdom. In this Life we do rather desire God than enjoy him: But what rich Mercy will it be, to be fully possessed of God, to see his smiling Face, and to have God lay us in his Bosom? This will fill us with Joy unspeakable, and full of Glory, Psal. 17.15. I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy Likeness.

Use 1. As an Argument against Despair, see what a great Encouragement here is to serve God; he shews Mercy to Thousands. Who would not be willing to serve a Prince that is given to Mercy and Clemency? God is represented with a Rain-bow round about him, Rev. 4.3. An Emblem of his Mercy. Acts of Severity are rather forced from God; Justice is his strange Work, Isa. 28.21. Therefore the Disciples who are not said to wonder at other Miracles of Christ, yet did wonder when the Fig-tree was Cursed and Withered, because it was not Christ's manner to put forth acts of Severity. God is said to delight in Mercy, Mic. 7.18. Justice is Gods Left Hand, Mercy is his Right Hand: God useth his Right Hand most, he is more used to Mercy than Justice, pronior est Deus ad parcendum quam ad puniendum. God is said to be slow to Anger, Psal. 103.8. But ready to Forgive, Psalm 86.5. This may encourage us to serve God. What Argument will prevail, if Mercy will not? Were God all Justice, it might Fright us from him, but his Mercy may be a Loadstone to draw us to him.

Use 2. Bran. 1. Hope in Gods Mercies, Psal. 147.11. The Lord takes Pleasure in them that fear him, and hope in his Mercy. God counts it his Glory to be scattering Pardons among Men.

Obj. But I have been a great Sinner, and sure there is no Mercy for me?

Resp. No, not if thou goest on in Sin, and art so resolved; but if thou wilt break off thy Sins, the Golden Scepter of Mercy shall be held forth to thee, Isa. 55.7. Let the Wicked forsake his way, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have Mercy upon him. And Christs Blood is a Fountain set open for Sin and Uncleanness, Zach. 13.1. Mercy doth more overflow in God, than Sin in us; Gods Mercy can drown great Sins, as the Sea covers great Rocks. Some of those Iews who had their Hands embrued in Christs Blood, were saved by that Blood: God loves to magnifie his Goodness, to display the Trophies of Free Grace, and to set up his Mercy above you, in spight of Sin: Therefore hope in Gods Mercy.

Bran. 2. If God shew Mercy to Thousands, labour to know that this Mercy is for you, Psal. 59.17. He is the God of my Mercy. A Man that was ready to Drown, saw a Rain-bow, saith he, What am I the better, though God will not Drown the World, if I Drown? so what are we the better God is Merciful, if we perish? Let us labour to know Gods special Mercy is for us.

Quest. How shall we know it belongs to us?

Resp. 1. If we put an high value and estimate upon God's Mercy: God will not throw away his Mercy on them that slight it; we prize Health, but we prize Adopting Mercy above it. This is the Diamond in the Ring, it out-shines all other Comforts.

2. If we are Fearers of God, we have a reverend awe upon us; we tremble at Sin, and fly from it as Moses did from his Rod turned into a Serpent, Luke 1.50. His Mercy is on them that Fear him.

3. If we take Sanctuary in Gods Mercy, we trust in it, Psal. 52.8. As a Man is saved by catching hold of a Cable. Gods Mercy is a great Cable, let down from Heaven to us; now taking fast hold on this Cable by Faith, we are saved, Psal. 52.8. I trust in the Mercy of God for ever. As a Man trusteth his Life and Goods in a Garrison, so we trust our Souls in Gods Mercy.

Quest. What shall we do to get a share in Gods special Mercy?

Resp. 1. If we would have Mercy, it must be through Christ; out of Christ no Mercy is to be had. We read in the old Law, First, None might come into the Holy of Holies where the Mercy-Seat stood, but the High Priest; signifying, we have nothing to do with Mercy, but through Christ our High Priest. Secondly, The High Priest might not come near the Mercy-Seat without Blood, Lev. 16.14. to shew that we have no right to Mercy, but through the expiatory Sacrifice of Christ's Blood. Thirdly, The High Priest might not upon pain of Death come near the Mercy-Seat without Incense, Lev. 16.13. No Mercy from God without the Incense of Christs Intercession. So that if we would have Mercy, we must get a part in Christ. Mercy swims to us through Christs Blood.

2. If we would have Mercy, we must Pray for it, Psal. 85.7. Shew us thy Mercy O Lord, and grant us thy Salvation. Psal. 25.16. Turn thee unto me, and have Mercy upon me. Lord put me not off with common Mercy; give me not only Mercy to Feed and Cloath me, but Mercy to Pardon me; not only sparing Mercy, but saving Mercy. Lord give me the Cream of thy Mercies; let me have Mercy and Loving Kindness, Psal. 103.4. Who crowneth thee with Loving Kindness and Tender Mercy. Be earnest Suitors for Mercy; let your Wants quicken your Importunity: Then we pray most fervently, when we pray wost feelingly.

Of the Commandments.

Exod. 20.6.

Of them that Love me, &c.

1. GODS Mercy is for them that Love him. Love is a Grace shines and sparkles in Gods Eye, as the precious Stones did upon Aarons Breast-Plate. Love is an holy expansion or enlargement of Soul, whereby it is carried with delight after God, as the chief Good: So Aquinas defines Love, Complacentia amantis in amato; Love is a complacential delighting in God as in our Treasure: Love is the Soul of Religion, 'tis a Grace highly momentous. If we had Knowledge as the Angels, or Faith of Miracles, yet without Love it would profit nothing, 1 Cor. 13.2. Love is the First and Great Commandment, Mat. 22.38. It is so, because if this be wanting, there can be no Religion in the Heart, there can be no Faith, for Faith works by Love, Gal. 5.6. All is but Pageantry, or a Devout Complement.

2. Because Love doth meliorate and sweeten all the Duties of Religion; it makes them Savoury Meat, else God cares not to taste of them.

3. It is the First and Great Commandment, in respect of the Excellency of this Grace. Love is the Queen of the Graces, it out-shines all the other, as the Sun the Lesser Planets. In some respect it is more excellent than Faith, though in one sense Faith be more excellent, Virtute unionis, as it unites us to Christ. Faith puts upon us the Embroidered Robe of Christs Righteousness, which is a brighter Robe than any of the Angels wear. Yet in another sense, Love is more excellent, respectu durationis, in respect of the continuance of it; it is the most durable Grace: Faith and Hope will shortly cease, but Love will remain. When all the other Graces, like Rachel, shall dye in Travel, Love shall revive. The other Graces are in the nature of a Lease, only for term of Life: Love is as a Free-hold, it continues for ever. Thus Love carries away the Garland from all the other Graces, it is the most long liv'd Grace, it is a Bud of Eternity; this Grace alone shall accompany us in Heaven.

Quest 1. How must our Love to God be qualified?

Resp. 1. Love to God must be pure and genuine, he must be loved chiefly for himself, this the School-men call Amor amicitiae. We must love God not only for his Benefits, but those intrinsick Excellencies wherewith he is Crowned. We must love God not only for the good which flows from him but the good which is in him. True love is not Mercenary; a Soul that is deeply in love with God, needs not be hired with Rewards; he cannot but love God for the Beauty of his Holiness; not but that it is lawful to look at Gods Benefits. Moses had an Eye to the recompence of Reward, Heb. 11.26. But we must not love God only for his Benefits, for then it is not love of God, but Self-Love.

2. Love to God must be [gap], with all the Heart, Mark 12.30. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart. We must not love God a little, give him a Drop or two of our Love; but the main Stream of our Love must run after him; the Mind must think of God, the Will choose him, the Affections pant after him. The true Mother would not have the Child divided, nor God will not have the Heart divided; we must love him with our whole Heart. Though we may love the Creature, yet it must be a subordinate Love. Love to God must be highest, as the Oyl swims above the Water.

3. Love to God must be Flaming; to love coldly, is all one as not to love. The Spouse is said to be amore perculsa, Sick of Love, Cant. 2.5. The Seraphims are so called from their Burning. Love turns Saints into Seraphims, it makes them burn in Holy Love to God; and many Waters cannot quench this Love.

Quest. 2. How may we know whether we love God?

Resp. 1. He that loves God, desires his sweet Presence: Lovers cannot be long asunder; they have their [gap], Fainting Fits, they want a sight of the Object of their Love. A Soul deeply in Love with God, desires the enjoyment of him in his Ordinances, in Word, Prayer, Sacrament. David was ready to faint away and Dye, when he had not a sight of God, Psal. 84.2. My Soul fainteth for God; such as care not for Ordinances, but say, when will the Sabbath be over? plainly discover want of Love to God.

2. He who loves God, doth not love Sin, Psal. 97.10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil. The love of God, and love of Sin, can no more mix together, than Iron and Clay: Every Sin loved, strikes at the Being of God; but he who loves God hath an Antipathy against Sin. He who would part between Two Lovers, is an Hateful Person; God and the Believing Soul, are Two Lovers; Sin comes to part between them, therefore the Soul is implacably set against Sin. By this try your Love to God. How could Dalilah say she loved Sampson, when she entertained correspondence with the Philistines who were his Mortal Enemies? How can he say he loves God, who loves Sin, which is God's Enemy?

3. He who loves God, is not much in love with any thing else; his love is very cool to worldly things; his love to God moves as the Sun in the Firmament swiftly, his love to the World moves as the Sun on the Dial, very slow: The love of the World eats out the Heart of Religion: It choaks good Affections, as the Earth puts out the Fire. The World was a dead thing to Paul, Gal. 6.14. I am Crucified to the World, and the World is Crucified to me. In Paul, we might see both the Picture and Pattern of a Mortified Man. He that loves God, useth the World, but chooseth God; the World is his Pension, but God is his Portion, Psal. 119.57. The World doth busie him, but God doth delight and satisfie him. He saith as David, Psal. 43.4. God my exceeding joy, the Gladness or Cream of my Joy.

4 He who loves God, cannot live without him. Things we love, we know not how to be without. A Man can want Musick or Flowers, but not Food. A Soul deeply in love with God, looks upon himself as undone without him, Psal. 143.7 Hide not thy Face from me, lest I be like them that go down into the Pit. He saith as Iob, Ch[gap]p. 30.28. I went Mourning without the Sun. I have Star-light, I want the Sun of Righteousness; I enjoy not the sweet Presence of my God. Is God our chief Good, that we cannot live without? Alas, how do they demonstrate they have no love to God, who can make a shift well enough to be without him? Let them but have Corn and Oyl, and you shall never hear them complain of the want of God.

5. He who loves God, will be at any pains to get him. What pains doth the Merchant take? what hazards doth he run to have a rich Return from the Indies? Extremos currit Mercator [gap]. Iacob loved Rachel, and he would endure the Heat by Day, an[gap] the Fro[gap]t by Night that he might enjoy her. A Soul that loves God will take any pains for the Fruition of him, Psal. 63.8. My Soul follows

hard after God. Love is Pondus animae, Aug. It is as the weight which sets the Clock a going. The Soul is much in Prayer, Weeping, Fasting; he strives as in an Agony, that he may obtain him whom his Soul loves. Plutarch reports of the Gauls, an ancient People of France, after they had tasted the sweet Wine of Italy, they never rested till they had arrived at that Country. He who is in love with God, never rests till he hath gotten a part in him, Cant. 3.2. I sought him whom my Soul loved. How can they say they love God, who are not industrious in the use of means to obtain him, Prov. 19.24. A sloathful man hides his hands in his Bosom. These not in Agony, but Lethargy: If Christ and Salvation would drop as a ripe Fig into his mouth, he could be content to have them; but he is loath to put himself to too much trouble. Doth he love his Friend, that will not make a Journey to him?

6. He that loves God, prefers him before Estate and Life. 1. Before Estate, Phil. 3.8. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things. Who that loves a rich Jewel, would not part with a Flower for it? Galcanus Marquess of Vico, parted with a fair Estate to enjoy God in his pure Ordinances: When a Jesuit perswaded him to return to his Popish Religion in Italy, promising him an huge Summ of Mony: Saith he, Let their Mony perish with them, who esteem all the Gold in the World worth one days Communion with Iesus Christ and his Holy Spirit. 2. Before Life, Rev. 12.11. They loved not their lives to the death. Love to God carries the Soul above the love of Life; and the fear of Death.

7. He who loves God loves his Favourites, viz. the Saints, 1 Iohn 5.1. Idem est motus animi in imaginem & rem. To love a Man for his Grace, and the more we see of God in him, the more we love him, is the infallible sign of love to God. The Wicked pretend to love God, but hate and persecute his Image. Doth he love his Prince, who abuseth his Statue, tears his Picture? Indeed they seem to shew great Reverence to the Saints departed; they have a great Reverence for St. Paul, and St. Stephen, and St. Luke: They Canonize dead Saints, but per[gap]ecute living Saints: And do these love God? Can it be imagined he should love God, who hates his Children because they are like him? If Christ were alive again, he would not escape a second Persecution.

8. If we love God, as we cannot but be fearful of dishonouring him (the more a Child loves his Father, the more he is afraid to displease him) so we weep and mourn when we have offended him. Peter went out and wept bitterly, Matt. 26.75. When Peter thought how dearly Christ loved him, he took him up to the Mount, where he was Transfigured: Christ shewed him the Glory of Heaven in a Vision. Now that he should deny Christ, after he had received such signal Tokens of Christs Love, this broke his Heart with grief, He wept bitterly. Are our Eyes Limbicks, dropping Tears of grief for Sin against God? A blessed Evidence of our love to God; and such shall find Mercy. He shews Mercy to Thousands of them that love him.

Use. Let us be Lovers of God; we love our Food, and shall not we love him that gives it? All the Joy we hope for in Heaven is in God, and shall not he who shall be our Joy be our Love? It is a Saying of St. Austin, Annon poena satis magna est, non amare te? Is it not Punishment enough, Lord, not to love thee? And again, Animam meam odio haberem. I would hate my own Soul, if I did not find it loving of God.

Quest. What are the Incentives to provoke and inflame our Love to God?

Resp. 1. Gods Benefits bestowed on us. A Prince who bestows continual Favours on a Subject, if that Subject have any Ingenuity, he cannot but love his Prince. God is continually heaping Benefits upon us: He fills our hearts with food and gladness, Acts 14.17. As the Rock followed Israel, whither ever they went streams of Water out of the Rock followed them. So Gods Blessings follow us every day: We swim in a Sea of Mercy. That Heart is hard that is not prevailed with by all Gods Blessings, to love him; Magnes amoris amor. Kindness works on a Bruit. The Ox knows his Owner.

2. Love to God would make Duties of Religion Facile and Pleasant. I confess to him that hath no love to God, Religion must needs be a Burden. And I wonder not to hear him say, What a weariness is it to serve the Lord? It is like rowing against Tyde. But Love oyls the Wheels, it makes Duty a Pleasure. Why are the Angels so swift and winged in Gods Service, but because they love him? Iacob thought seven years, but little for the love he did bear to Rachel: Love is never weary: He who loves Mony is not weary of telling it: And he who loves God, is not weary of serving him.

3. It is Advantagious. There is nothing lost by our Love to God. [gap] Cor. [gap].[gap]. Eye hath not seen, &c. the things which God hath prepared for them [gap]. Such glorious Rewards are laid up for such as love God: That (as Austi[gap] saith) they do not only transcend our Reason, but Faith it self is not able to comprehend them. A Crown is the highest Ensign of Worldly Glory; and God hath promis[gap] a Crown of Life to them that love him, Iames 1.12. And it is a never-fading Crown, 1 Pet. 5.4.

4. By our loving God we may know that he loves us, 1 Iohn 4.19. We love [gap], because he first loved us. If the Ice melts, it is because the Sun hath shined on [gap]: I[gap] the frosen Heart melts in Love, it is because the Sun of Righteousness hath shined upon it.

Quest. What means may be used to excite our love to God?

Resp. 1. Labour to know God aright. The School-men say true, Bonum non amatur quod non cognoscitur: We cannot love that which we do not know: God is the most Eligible good. All the Excellencies which lye scattered in the Creature, are united in God: He is Optimus maximus. Wisdom, Beauty, Riches, Love, do all concenter in God. How fair were that Tulip which had the Colours of all Tulips in it? All Perfections and Sweetnesses are eminently in God. Did we know God more, and by the Eye of Faith, see his orient Beauty, our Hearts would be fired with love to him.

2. Make the Scriptures familiar to you. St. Austin saith, Before his Conversion he took no pleasure in Scripture; but after Conversion it was his chast delight. The Book of God discovers God to us in his Holiness, Wisdom, Veracity and Truth: It represents God rich in Mercy, incircled with Promises. St. Austin calls the Scripture a golden Epistle, or Love-letter sent from God to us. By reading this Love-letter, we shall be the more inamoured with love to God: As by reading Lascivious Books, Comedies, Romances, Lust is provoked.

3. Mediate much of God, and this will be a means to love him, Psal. 39.3. While I was musing, the fire burned. Meditation is the Bellows of the Affections. Meditate on Gods love in giving us Christ, Iohn 3.16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, &c. That God should give Christ to us, and not to the Angels that fell; that the Sun of Righteousness should shine in our Horison; that he is revealed to us and not to others; what wonderful love is this, Prov. 6.28. Who can go upon hot coals and his feet not be burned? Who can meditate on Gods love, who can tread on these hot Coals, and his Heart not burn in love to God! Beg an Heart to love God: The Affection of Love is natural, but not the Grace of Love, Gal. 5.22. This fire of love is kindled from Heaven; beg that it may burn upon the Altar of your Heart. Sure this request is pleasing to God, and he will not deny such a Prayer, Lord give me an heart to love thee.

Of the Commandments.

Exod. 20.6

And keep my Commandments.

LOve and Obedience, like two Sisters, must go hand in hand: Indeed this is a good Evidence of our loving God, Iohn 14.21. If ye love me, keep my Commandments. Probatio dilectionis est exhibitio operis. The Son that loves his Father, will obey him; Obedience pleaseth God, 1 Sam. 15.22. To obey is better than Sacrifice. In Sacrifice only a dead Beast is offered, in Obedience a living Soul. In Sacrifice only a part of the Fruit is offered; in Obedience Fruit and Tree and all. A Man offers up himself to God. Keep my Commandments.] It is not said, God shews Mercy to Thousands of them that know his Commandments, but that keep them. The knowing Gods Commandments, without keeping them, doth not intitle any to Mercy. The Commandment is not only a Rule of Knowledge, but Duty. God gives us his Commandments, not only as a Lanskip to look upon, but as his Will and Testament, which we are to perform. A good Christian is like the Sun, which doth not only send forth light, but goes its Circuit round the World. So he hath not only the light of Knowledge, but goes his Circuit too, and moves in the Sphere of Obedience.

Quest. In what manner must we keep Gods Commandments?

Resp. 1. Our keeping the Commandments must be Fiducial. Our Obedience to Gods Commands, must Profluere à Fide, spring from Faith, therefore it is called the Obedience of Faith, Rom. 16.26. Abel by Faith offered up [gap], a better Sacrifice than Cain, Heb. 11.4 Faith is a vital Principle, without it all our Services are Opera Mortua, dead Works, Heb. 6.1. Faith doth meliorate and sweeten our Obedience, and make it come off with a better Relish. Quest. But why must Faith be mix'd with Obedience to the Commandment? Resp. Because Faith eyes Christ in every Duty, and so both the Person and Offering are accepted. The High Priest under the Law laid his Hand upon the Head of the Beast slain, which did point to the Messiah, Exod. 29.10. So Faith in every Duty, lays its hand upon the Head of Christ. His Blood doth expiate the guilt, and the sweet Odours of his Intercession perfume our works of Obedience, Eph. 1.6. He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.

2. Our keeping the Commandments must be uniform. We must make Conscience of one Commandment as well as another, Psal. 119.6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy Commandments. Every Commandment hath a Ius divinum, the same stamp of Divine Authority upon it: And if I obey one Precept, because God commands, by the same Reason I must obey all. Some obey the Commands of the first Table, but are careless in the Duties of the second: And so, è contra. Physicians have a Rule, when the Body sweats in one part, but is cold in another, it is a sign of a Distemper. So when Men seem Zealous in some Duties of Religion, but are Cold and Frozen in another, it is a sign of Hypocrisie. We must have respect to all Gods Commandments. Quest. But who can keep all Commandments? Resp. There is a fulfilling of Gods Commands, and a keeping them: Though we cannot fulfill all, yet we may be said to keep them in an Evangelical Sense. We may facere, though not perficere: We keep the Commandments Evangelically. 1. Where we make Conscience of every Command: Though we come short in every Duty, yet we dare not neglect any Duty. 2. Our desire is to keep every Commandment, Psal. 119.5. O that my ways were directed to keep thy Statutes. What we want in Strength, we make up in Will. 3. We grieve that we can do no better. When we fail, we weep: We prefer Bills of Complaint against our selves, and judge our selves for our Failings, Rom. 7.24. 4. We do elicere conatum, we endeavour to obey every Commandment, Phil. 3.14 I press toward the mark. We strive as in an Agony, and if it lay in our power we would fully comport with every Commandment. 5. When we fall short, and are unable to come up to the full Latitude of the Law, we look to Christs Blood to sprinkle our imperfect Obedience; and with the grains of his Merits cast into the Scales to make it pass current. This is in an Evangelical Sense to keep all the Commandments; and though it be not to Satisfaction, yet it is to Acceptation.

3. Our keeping Gods Commandments must be willing, Isa. 1.19. If ye be willing and obedient. God was for a Free will-offering, Deut. 16.10. David will run the way of Gods Commandments, Psal. 119.32. that is, Freely and Chearfully. The Lawyers have a Canon, Adverbs are better than Adjectives; it is not the Bonum but the Bene; not the doing much, but the doing well. A Musician is not commended for playing long, but for playing well: It is obeying God willingly is accepted: Virtus nolentium nullum est. The Lord hates that which is forced, it is rather a paying a Tax than an Offering. Cain served God grudgingly, he brought his Sacrifice, not his Heart. To obey Gods Commandments unwillingly, is like the Devils who came out of the Men possess'd at Christs command, but with Reluctancy and against their Will, Matt. 8.29. Obedientia praeest, and à est non timore poenae, sed amore Dei. Good Duties must not be pressed or beaten out of us, as the Waters came out of the Rock, when Moses smote it with his Rod, but must freely drop from us as Myrrhe from the Tree, or Hony from the Comb. If a willing mind be wanting, there wants that flower which should perfume our Obedience, and make it a sweet smelling Savour to God. That we may keep Gods Commandments willingly, let these things be well weighed.

1. Our Willingness is more esteem'd than our Service. Therefore David Counsels Solomon, not only to serve God, but with a willing Mind, 1 Chron. 28.9. The Will makes Sin to be worse, and it makes Duty to be better. To obey willingly, shews we do it with love: And this Crowns all our Services.

2. There is that in the Law-giver, as may make us willing to obey the Commandments, viz. Gods Indulgence to us.

1. God doth not require the Summum jus, as absolutely necessary to Salvation. He expects not perfect Obedience, only requires Sincerity. Do but act from a Principle of Love, and aim at Honouring God in your Obedience, and it is accepted.

2. In the times of the Gospel a Surety is admitted. The Law would not favour us so far, but now God doth so indulge us, that what we cannot do of our selves, we may do by Proxy. Iesus Christ is a Surety of a better Testament, Heb. 7.22. We fall short in every thing, but God looks upon us in our Surety, and Christ having fulfilled all Righteousness, it is as if we had fulfilled the Law in our own Persons.

3. God gives strength to do what he requires. The Law called for Obedience, but though it required Brick it gave no Straw. But in the Gospel, God with his Commands gives power, Ezek. 18.31. Make ye a new Heart. Alas it is above our strength, we may as well make a new World, Ezek. 36.26. I will give you a new Heart. God commands us to cleanse our selves, Isa. 1.16. Wash ye, make you clean. But who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Job 14.4. Therefore the Precep[gap] is turn'd into a Promise, Ezek. 36.25. From all your filthiness will I cleanse you. When the Child cannot go, the Nurse takes it by the Hand, Hos. 11.3. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms.

3. There is that in Gods Commandments which may make us willing, they are not burdensome.

1. For first a Christian (so far as he is regenerate) consents to Gods Commands, Rom. 7.16. [gap]. I consent to the Law, that it is good. What is done with consent is no burden. If a Virgin gives her consent, the Match goes on chearfully. If a Subject consent to his Princes Laws (as seeing the Equity and Rationality in them) then they are not irksome. A regenerate Person in his Judgment approves, and in his Will consents to Gods Commandments, therefore they are not burdensome.

2. Gods Commandments are sweetned with Joy and Peace. Cicero questions whether that can properly be called a Burden, which one carries with Delight and Pleasure. Utrum onus appellatur quod laetitia fertur. If a Man carries a Bag of Mony given him, it is heavy, but the Delight takes off the Burden. When God gives inward Joy, that makes the Commandment delightful, Isa. 56.7. I will make them joyful in my House of Prayer. Joy is like Oyl to the Wheels, which makes a Christian run in the way of Gods Commandments; so that it is not burdensome.

3. Gods Commandments are Advantagious. 1. The Commandments are preventive of Evil; a Curb-bit to check us from Sin. What Mischiefs should not we run into, if we had not Affliction to humble us, and the Commandment to restrain us? Gods Commandments are to keep us within Bounds. The Yoke keeps the Beast from stragling. We are to be thankful to God for Precepts; had not he set his Commandments as an Hedge or Bar in our way, we might have run to Hell and never stop'd.

2. There is nothing in the Commandment but what is for our good, Deut. 10.13. To keep the Commandments of the Lord and his Statues, which I command thee for thy good. 1. God commands us to read his word, and what hurt is in this? God bespangles the Word with Promises: As if a Father should bid his Son read his Last Will and Testament, wherein he makes over a fair Estate to him. God bids us Pray: And he tells us, If we ask, it shall be given, Matt. 7.7. Ask power against Sin, ask Salvation and it shall be given. If you had a Friend should say, Come when you will to me, I will supply you with Mony: Would you think it a trouble to visit that Friend often? God commands us to fear him, Lev. 25.43. But fear thy God. And there is Hony in the mouth of this Command, Luke 1.50. His mercy is upon them that fear him. God commands us to believe, and why so? Believe and ye shall be saved, Acts 16.31. Salvation is the Crown set upon the Head of Faith. Good reason then we obey Gods Commands willingly, they are for our good, they are not so much our Duty as our Privilege.

3. Gods Commandments are Ornamental; Omnia quae praestari jubet Deus, non onerant nos sed ornant, Salvian. Gods Commandments do not burden us but adorn us. It is an Honour to be imployed in a Kings Service: And so to be imployed in Gods, by whom Kings reign. To walk in Gods Commandments proclaims us to be wise, Deut. 4.5, 6. Behold I have taught you Statutes: Keep, therefore, and do them, for this is your wisdom. And to be wise is an Honour: I may say of every Commandment of God, as Prov. 4.9. It shall give to thy head an ornament of Grace.

4. The Commands of God are infinitely better than the Commands of Sin; these are intolerable. Let a Man be under the command of any Lust, how doth he tire himself! what Hazards doth he run to the endangering his Health and Soul that he may satisfie his Lust, Ier. 9.5. They weary themselves to commit Iniquity. And are not Gods Commandments more equal, facile, pleasant, than the Commands of Sin? Chrysostom saith true, [gap]. To act Virtue, is easier than to act Vice: Temperance is less troublesom than Drunkenness: Meekness is less troublesom than Passion and Envy. There is more difficulty in the Contrivement and Pursuit of a wicked Design, than in Obeying the Commandments of God. Hence a Sinner is said to travel with Iniquity, Psal. 7.14. A Woman while she is in Travel, is in pain, to shew what pain and trouble a Wicked Man hath, in bringing forth Sin. Many have gone with more pains to Hell, than others have to Heaven. This may make us obey the Commandments willingly.

5. Willingness in Obedience makes us resemble the Angels. The Cherubims Types representing the Angels, are described with Wings display'd, to shew how ready the Angels are to serve God. God no sooner speaks the Word, but they are ambitious to obey. How are they ravished with Joy, while they are praising God! In Heaven we shall be [gap], as the Angels; by our willingness to obey Gods Commandments, we shall be like them here. This is that we pray for, that Gods Will may be done by us on Earth, as it is in Heaven: Is it not done willingly there? We must keep Gods Commandments constantly, Psalm 106.3. Blessed is he who doth Righteousness at all times. Our Obedience to the Command must be as the Fire of the Altar which never went out, Lev. 13.6. It must be as the motion of the Pulse, always beating. The Wind blows off the Fruit; our Fruits of Obedience must not be blown off by the Wind of Persecution, Iohn 15.16. I have chosen you that you should go and bring forth Fruit, and that your Fruit should remain.

Use. It reproves them who live in a wilful breach of Gods Commandments, in Malice, Uncleanness, Intemperance; they walk Antipodes to the Commandment. To live in a wilful breach of the Commandment, is

First, Against Reason. Are we able to stand it out against God, 1 Cor. 10.22. Do we provoke the Lord, are we stronger than he? Can we measure Arms with God? Can Impotency stand against Omnipotency? A Sinner in acting Sin, acts against Reason.

Secondly, It is against Equity. We have our Being from God, and is it not equal we should obey him who gives us our Being? We have all our Subsistence from God, and is it not fitting that as God gives us our Allowance, we should give him our Allegiance? If a General gives his Soldier Pay, he is to march at his Command, so that to live in the breach of his Commands, is against Equity.

Thirdly, It is against Nature. Every Creature in its kind, obeys Gods Laws: 1. Animate Creatures obey him, God spake to the Fish, and it set Ionah ashoar, Ionah 2.10. 2. Inanimate Creatures, the Wind and the Sea obey him; Mark 4.41. The very Stones, if God give them a Commission, will cry out against the Sins of Men, Hab. 2.11. The Stone shall cry out of the Wall, and the Beam out of the Timber shall answer it: None disobeys God but Man and the Devil, and can we find none to joyn with else?

Fourthly, It is against Kindness. How many Mercies have we to allure us to obey! Miracles of Mercy; therefore the Apostle joyns these Two together, Disobedient and Unthankful, 2 Tim. 3.2. And this dyes a Sin of a Crimson colour. And as the Sin is great, for it is a contempt of God, a hanging out of the Flag of Defiance against God, (and Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft,) so the Punishment will be proportionable: Such cut themselves off from Mercy. Gods Mercy is for them that keep his Commandments, but no Mercy to them that live in a wilful breach of them. All God's Judgments set themselves in Battel Array against the Disobedient. 1. Temporal Judgments, Lev. 26.15, 16. 2. Eternal Christ comes in Flames of Fire to take Vengeance on them that obey not, 2 Thes. 1.8. Such as break the Golden Chains of Gods Commands, God hath Iron Chains to hold them, Chains of Darkness, in whch the Devils are held, Iude 6. As long as there is Eternity, God hath time enough to reckon with all the wilful Breakers of his Commandments.

Quest. How shall we do to keep Gods Commandments?

Resp. Beg the Spirit of God. We cannot do it in our own Strength; the Spirit must work in us both the [gap] and [gap], to will and to do, Phil. 2.13. When the Loadstone draws, the Iron moves; when Gods Spirit draws, then we run in the way of Gods Commandments.