4. By asserting this distinct communion, which merely respects that order in the dispensation of gi-ace which God is pleased to hold out in the gospel, I intend not in the least to shut up all communion with God under these precincts (his ways being exceeding broad, con- taining a perfection whereof there is no end), nor to prejudice that holy fellowship we have with the whole Deity, in our walking before him in covenant-obedience; which also, God assisting, I shall handle hereafter.
These few observations being premised, I come now to declare what it is wherein peculiarly and eminently the saints have com- munion with the Father; and this is LOVE, — free, undeserved, and eternal love. This the Father peculiarly fixes upon the saints ; this they are immediately to eye in him, to receive of him, and to make such returns thereof as he is delighted withal. This is the great dis- covery of the gospel : for whereas the Father, as the fountain of the Deity, is not known any other way but as full of wrath, anger, and indignation against sin, nor can the sons of men have any other thoughts of him (Rom. i. 18; Isa. xxxiii. 13,14; Hab. i. 13; Ps. v. 4-6; Eph. ii. 3), — here he is now revealed peculiarly as love, as full of it unto us ; the manifestation whereof is the peculiar work of the gospel. Tit. iii. 4.
1. 1 John iv. 8, " God is love." That the name of God is here taken personally,^ and for the person of the Father, not essentially, is evident from verse 9, where he is distinguished from his only be- gotten Son whom he sends into the world. Now, saith he, " The Father is love;" that is, not only of an infinitely gracious, tender, com- passionate, and loving nature, according as he hath proclaimed him- self, Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7, but also one that eminently and peculiarly dispenseth himself unto us in free love." So the apostle sets it forth in the following verses: "This is love," verse 9 ; — "This is that which I would have you take notice of in him, that he makes out love unto
1 Deut. xxxiii. 3 ; Jer. xxxi. 3; John iii. 16, v. 42, xiv. 21; Rom. v. 5, viii. 39; Eph. ii.4; 1 John ii. 15, iv.lO, 11; Heb.xii.6. "Multo l^ipaTix^iJrsfov loquitur quam si Deum diceret sunimopere, atque adeo infinite nos amare, cum Deiim dicit erga nos ipsam charitatem esse, cujas latissimum Tex/t»j^«v profert." — Beza iu loc.
20 OF COMMUNION WITH GOD THE FATHEE.
you, in ' sending liis only begotten Son into tlie world, that we might live through him/" So also, verse 10, " He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." And that this is peculiarly to be eyed in him, the Holy Ghost plainly declares, in making it an- tecedent to the sending of Christ, and all mercies and benefits what- ever by him received. This love, I say, in itself, is antecedent to the purchase of Christ, althougli the whole fruit thereof be made out alone thereby, E})li. i. 4-6.
2. So in that distribution made by the apostle in his solemn part- ing benediction, 2 Cor. xiii. 14, " The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, THE LOVE OF GOD, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all." Ascribing sundry things unto the distinct persons, it is love that he peculiarly assigns to the Father. And the fellowship of the Spirit is mentioned with the grace of Christ and the love of God, because it is by the Spirit alone that we have fellowship with Christ in grace, and with the Father in love, although we have also peculiar fellow- ship with him ; as shall be declared.
3. John xvi. 26, 27, saithour Saviour, " I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you; for the Father himself loveth you."* But how is this, that our Saviour saith, " I say not that I will pray tlie Father for you," when he saith plainly, chap. xiv. 16, "I will pray the Father for you?" The disciples, with all the gracious words, com- fortable and faithful promises of their Master, ^vith most heavenly discoveries of his heart unto them, were even fully convinced of His dear and tender affections towards them ; as also of his continued care and kindness, that he would not forget them when bodily he was gone from them, as he was now upon his departure : but now all their thoughts are concerning the Father, how they should be accepted with him, what respect he had towards them. Saith our Saviour, " Take no care of that, nay, impose not that upon me, of procm-ing the Father's love for you ; but know that this is his peculiar respect to- wards you, and which you are in him : ' He himself loves you.' It is true, indeed (and as I told you), that I will pray the Father to send you the Spirit, the Comforter, and with him all the gracious fruits of his love ; but yet in the })oint of love itself, free love, eternal love, there is no need of any intercession for that: for eminently the Father himself loves you. Resolve of that, that you may hold com-