[2.] The design of the scripture is to teach us the holy art of loving
144 SERMON UPON I CORINTHIANS YIII. 3.
God. It is a book written of love, wherein is recommended the love of God to us, in creation, providence, redemption, and final glorification ; that by hearing, reading, meditating therein, there may be begotten in iig love to God again : 1 Tim. i. 5, ' The end of the commandment is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith un- feigned.'
[3.] The love of Christ is the vigour and life of all that grace that is wrought in us by the Spirit : 2 Tim. i. 7, ' God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.'
[4.] The whole work of a christian is a work of love, to love God and be like to him : Deut. x. 12, ' What doth the Lord thy God re- quire of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul ? ' A christian is rewarded as a lover rather than as a ser- vant, not as doing work, but as doing work out of love.
Use 2. Examination. Do we know God so as to love him ? Many will say, God forbid we should live else, if we do not love God. But do you indeed love him ? Christ puts Peter to the question thrice : John xxi. 15-17, ' Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these ? ' &c. Others, on the other side, will say, How can we know that we love God ? Burning fire cannot be hidden ; do what you can, you cannot conceal it. If you really love any person, there will not need many signs to discern it. No ; you will betray it on all occasions, by looks, speeches, gestures, thoughts, and endeavours to please. Or if you love things, will not a covetous man betray his love of money, an ambitious man his love of honour, a voluptuous man his delight in pleasures ? Let him conceal it if he can. But it is not love, but the sincerity of love, that is so difficult to be found out. Well, then, that is known partly by the degree, partly by the proper effect.
1. By the degree. If you love God, you will love him above all. AH things must give way to his love : Ps. Ixiii. 3, ' Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.' You will be content to do and suffer anything rather than displease God and lose his favour ; for that is your all. But alas ! how far are we from the love of God, who are so addicted to self-love and carnal desires, and governed by the relishes of the flesh, and entangled in earthly and worldly things ! Can we adhere to him in time of danger and temptation ?
2. By the proper effect, which is obedience, doing his will, seeking his glory, promoting his interest. Many think it is love if they keep solemn feasts in his memory, seem to.be very devout at certain set times, at Christmas and Easter. No ; it is a constant respect in those that profess his name, and an obedience to his commands. Others think they love him if they languish after comforts. No ; ready obedience is all. Then love hath done its work : 1 John ii. 5, ' Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected : hereby know we that we are in him.'
Use 3. Direction to us in the Lord's supper. Let us rouse up our- selves in this duty, this holy and mystical supper, which Christ, depart- ing out of the world, ordained to be a memorial of his death and passion.
SERMON UPON I CORINTHIANS VIII. 3. 145
(1.) Keasons why we should now express our love ; (2.) How we should exercise love ia this duty.
1. Why.
[1.] Because his death flowed from his love : Gal. ii, 20, ' Who loved me, and gave himself for me ; ' Eph. v. 2, 'Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour ; ' Rev. i. 5, ' Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.' And therefore we never felt the principal effect of this duty unless we find this love enkindled in us ; we do not observe it as we ought.
[2.] Because his intent is to convey and apply his love to us. It is applied outwardly by the word and sacraments, inwardly by his Spirit: Eom. V. 5, ' The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us ; ' John vi. 51, ' And the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world,' It is given in pretiuni, in i^ahulum, for price and for food. His blood, which was shed for our redemption, now is poured out for our refec- tion, to cheer our souls, that, eating his flesh and drinking his blood, we may become one spirit, and he may live in us and we in him, and that nothing may separate us from his love. All the dainties here set before us taste and savour of nothing but love. Our meat is seasoned with love, and our drink is squeezed into our cup out of the wine-press of love. And God intendeth union : Cant, il 4, ' He brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love.' Christ con- ducteth his spouse in state to the solemn participation of his benefits, and receiveth her with a banner or canopy. This banner is displayed in the gospel, the whole doctrine of which is to show us the love of our Saviour towards mankind. But then in the sacrament we are brought into the house of wine, we come to taste of the satisfying and comfortable blessings which are to be found in Christ.