(2.) It Cometh from a cursed satiety and fulness. Our affections are deadened to things to which we are accustomed, and we are soon cloyed with the best things. The Israelites cried out. Nothing but this manna ! ' A full stomach loatheth a honey-comb.' When first acquainted with the things of the Spirit, communion with God, and intercourses with heaven, we are aflected with them, but afterwards glutted; but this should not be, because in spiritual things there is a new inviting sweetness to keep our affections fresh and lively, as in heaven God is always to the blessed spirits new and fresh every moment ; artd-^oportionable in the church, wiiere there is more to be had, still greater things than these. In carnal things this satiety is justifiable, because the imperfections of the creature which formerly lay hid are discovered upon fruition, and all earthly things are less in enjoyment than they were in expectation ; but it is not so in spiritual things ; every taste provoketh new appetite, 1 Peter ii. 3.
(3.) From a negligence or sluggish carelessness. We do not take pains to keep our graces alive ; we do not ava^wTrvpelv, 2 Tim. i. 6, ' rouse up the gilt,' that is in us. As the jiriests in the temple were to keep in the holy fire, so we by prayer and diligent meditation, con- stantl}' keeping love a-work, watchfulness against the encroacliments of wordly and fleshly lusts ; and when we neglect these things love decreaseth.
(4.) Sometimes it cometh from freeness in sinning. Neglect is like
VeR. 14.] SERMONS UPOX 2 CORINTHIANS V. 167
not blowing the fire hid in the ashes ; sinning is like pouring on water : 1 Thes. Y. 19, ' Quench not the Spirit.' Secure dalliance with the pleasures of sin brings a brawn and deadness upon the heart, and God is neglected, and our love to him very cold,
[6.] There remaineth nothing more, but the cure and remedy against this evil ; and that concerneth prevention or recovery.
(1 .) The remedy, by way of prevention is,
(1st.) That we should labour to get love more fixed and rooted : Eph. iii. 17, ' That ye may be rooted and grounded in love.' At first our afiection may hastily put forth itself, like the hasty blossoms of the spring, which are soon nipped ; but a christian's business is to get a solid affection and bent of heart towards God, that love may be as it were the very constitution of our souls, and *the frame of our hearts may be changed into an addictedness and devotedness to God. Many content themselves with flashes, and good moods, and meltings at a sermon, which soon vanish and come to nothing, because they have no root. The word of grace, which revealeth the love of God, is not ingrafted in their souls, so as that it may be the very frame and temper of their hearts. Many receive this word with joy : Mat. xiii. 21, ' But he hath no root in himself.' They were once affected with the offers of remission of sins and eternal life ; but this affection is not so great, so deep, as to control contrary affections. Christ doth not dwell in the heart by faith ; a visit there is, but not an abode ; a transient motion of the Spirit, but not a constant habitation : a draught of the running stream, but they have not the fountain within them, John iv. 14.
(2d.) You must increase and grow in love, if you mean to keep it: Phil. i. 9, 'I pray, that your love may abound more and more;' 1 Thes. iv. 1, ' As ye learned how to walk and to please God, so abound in it more and more." At first love is but weak, but progress of it is to be endeavoured, otherwise a small measure of it raeeteth with so many things to extinguish it, that it cannot maintain itself. Nothing conduceth to a decay more than a contentment with what we have received ; and there is no such way to keep what we have, as to go on to perfection. They that row against the stream, if they do not ply the oar, will be driven back by the force of the tide ; therefore every day you should hate sin more, and love self less ; the world less, yet Christ more and more. Love being as it were the heart of the new creature, he that hath most love hath most grace, and is the best and strongest christian.
(3d.) Love must still be excited, and kept in act or exercise; not lie as a sleepy, useless habit in the soul. It must be the principle and end in every duty — that is, we must work from love, and for love ; from love, for it is not an act of thankful obedience, if love be not acted in it. Oh, beg that this grace may be more increased in us ! All graces, ordinances, word, sacraments, tend to keep in this love-fire, and keep it a-burning. All these institutions serve but till love is perfect, and then they cease, but love remaineth. Besides all this, if love be not excited and kept a-work, carnal love will prevail. A corrupt and base treacherous heart had need be watched and kept from starting back. The back-bias of corruption will again recover strength, for love cannot lie idle in the soul ; either it must be directed and carried