t Tliat is, ' love.' — G.
278 THE PniVILKGES OF THE FAITHFUL.
is a caro to be approved of him whom we so love. This makes our obe- dience general to all God's commandments, in all places and all things what- soever. It makes us give our inwards to God, serving him with the soul and spirit.
Those therefore that nourish unclean hearts within them, and think it enough to abstain from the outward act of evil, love not the Lord sincerely. The devil himself will do outward things as readily as you ; he will confess Christ to be the Son of God, and say, ' Why art thou come to torment me before my time ?' Matt. viii. 29. So that if thou dost outwardly only con- fess God, what dost thou more than the devil ? In outward duties, without sincerity, there is no love. You will pray ; the devil will do as much. The devil hatii a bad end in good actions. So there are many that come to church, and make show of religion, to cloak their evil courses. But such poor wretches, however they arc pleased with shadows, are little better than Satan himself.
(2.) Again, If we be desirous to content him whom we love, then ivill we suffer anything for his sahe. Therefore the apostles went away ' rejoicing, and accounted it their glory that they were esteemed worthy to sutler hard- ship for Christ,' Acts V. 41. And David, for 'dancing before the ark,' being by Michal mocked, saith, ' I will yet be more vile for my God,' 2 Sam. vi. 22. He cared not for any reproach that could happen to him in a good way. Yea, this will make us ' zealous in his truth.' He that hath no zeal hath no love. If our hearts rise not when God is dishonoured, ■what love have we to him ? Is God's glory and the church's welfare dear to us ? It is a sign we love him. But can we see those things go back- ward and have no zeal, nor be anything affected therewith, sui'ely then we have no love.
3. Again, if we have a true love to God, then
(1.) Hare ive a desire of union and coinnmuion ivith him. We will be much in meditating of him, in speaking to him and confening with him. Those therefore that go on from day to day, without private speeches with God, or solacing of their souls in him, what affection have they to him ? Love is communicative ; and what desire of communion can that soul have that lives a stranger to his Maker ? Can we say we love one with whom we never confer or speak to any purpose ?
(2.) Again, If we love a man, iceiciU advise with him, especially in matters of moment. So if we love God we will take counsel of him in his word, for the guidance of our lives and stablishing our consciences. If we advise not with God, it is a sign that we either think he doth not regard us, or else that we count him not worthy to be counselled by.
(3.) Another sign is, to examine what desire ice have to be dissolved, and to be ivith Christ. Do we love his appearing to judgment ? and are we now fit for his coming ? Surely then it is a plain sign that our love is fixed and set upon him ; so much as we do fail of this desire, so much we fail in love to Christ. What was the reason that the people under the law were so much afraid at the appearing of an angel unto them ? Was it not this, that they were not fitted and prepared for God ? A man may be a good Chris- tian, and yet not at all times walling to die ; for as eyes that are sore cannot always endure the light, so a soul galled with sin desires not to hear of the day of judgment: yet ought we to thirst after it.
(4.) Another sign of this grace is our eager and hungry desire after God, when with David we can say, ' 0 God, my heart panteth after thee, as the hart panteth after the brooks of waters,' Ps. xlii. 1, when a soul is never
THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FAITHFUL. 279
at rest till lie enjoys his Maker, but cries out still, ' 0 when shall I appear in his presence !' it is a good sign, ver. 2.
4. The last branch or property is, restiur/ and quieting ourselves in the love of God (d)ove all thui(/s irhatsoever, saying with David, ' Whom have I in heaven or in earth besides thee? or what do I esteem in comparison of thee ?' Ps. Ixxiii. 25 ; let me enjoy but ' the light of thy countenance, and it suffices me,' Ps. iv. G. Demand therefore of thine own heart, what the things are that trouble thee most ? and what is the cause of thy sorrow and disquiet- ments ? whether it be for losses or crosses outwardly, or for want of God's love and the sense and feeling of his favour inwardly ? They which grieve chiefly for outward evils are most carried in their aftections that ways ; but if in the confluence of all worldly blessings, we can grieve for our spiritual wants, it is a comfortable evidence. When a man reckons not his happi- ness to stand in the possession of the creature, but in the fruition of the Creator, and desires his favour above anything, it is a gracious sign.