2 ThES. II. 10.] THE EIGHTH SERMON. gX
are revealed and represented to our faith, not to please our minds by knowini^ them, but to quicken our love. Faith alone is but as sight, and faith with love is as ta.ste. Now, it is more easy to dispute a man out of his belief that only seeth, than it is him that tasteth, and knoweth the grace of God in truth. This is the true reason of the stedfastness of weak and unlearned Christians ; though they have not such distinct conceptions and reasonings as many learned men have, yet their faith is turned into love, and a man is better held by the heart than by the head. And though they cannot dispute for Christ (as one of the martyrs said), they can die for Christ. But alas ! many receive the truth in the light thereof, but few receive it in the love of it, and so lie open to deceit.
(4.) This love must not be a slight affection, for that will soon vanish ; but we must be rooted and well grounded, and have a good strength. The stony ground had some love to the word: Mat. xiii, 20, 21, ' But he that receiveth the seed in stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it : yet he hath not root in him- self, but dureth but a while ; for when tribulation or persecution riseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.' So also of the thorny ground : ' He heareth the word, and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful,' ver. 22. Now what are the defects of this love? (1.) It is not radicated — a pang of love or flash of zeal ; whereas we should be ' rooted and grounded in love,' Eph. iii. 17. Hypocrites had a taste : Heb. vi. 4, 5, ' For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.' Tasted, but did but taste ; did escape /xcda/xara Kocrfiov, 2 Peter ii. 20 ; yet, not having a good conscience, may make shipwreck of faith, 1 Tim. i. 19. (2.) It is partial. The gospel offereth great privileges, and it is also a pure, holy rule of obedience, Acts ii. 41. The word of God is made up of precepts and promises. God offereth in the covenant ex- cellent benefits, upon gracious terms and conditions : there must be a consent to the terms, as well as an acceptation of the privileges. The confidence of the privileges serveth to wean us from the false happiness, therefore that must be kept up : Heb. iii. 6, ' But Christ, as a son over his own house, whose are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.' And the consent to the terms bindeth our duty upon us, Isa. Ivi. 4. Now as willingly as w^e yielded at first, we must keep up the same fervour still : Dent. v. 29, ' Oh, that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always ; that it might be well with them and with their children for ever.' But whole, pure Christianity is not loved by false Christians ; therefore, when religion crosseth their interests and the bent of their lusts, they seek to bring religion to their hearts, not their hearts to religion. (3.) It is not strong, and in such a prevalent degree as to control other affections ; it is but a passion, a pleasure, and a delight they take on for a time, not the effect of solid judgment and resolution — a joy easily controlled and overcome with other de- lights ; therefore Clu'ist requireth a denial of all things, for a close
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82 THE EIGHTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 10.