CHAP. I.J CONSIDERATION OF THE NATURE OF GOD. 5S5
according to the promise of the gospel. This is the great arcanum of growing up into the likeness of God, without which, however men may multiply duties in a compliance with their convictions, they will have never the more conformity to God ; and all professors who come short in this matter do or may know, that it ariseth from their want of a constant exercise of faith on God in Christ. If, therefore, we have a real design of being yet more like unto God, — which is our privilege, safety, glory, blessedness, — this is the way we must take for its accomplishment. Abound in actings oi faith, and we shall thrive in holiness; and they are but acts of presumption, under the name of faith, which do not infallibly produce this effect.
2. Love hath the same tendency and efficacy; I mean, the love of God. He that would be like unto God must be sure to love him, or all other endeavours to that purpose will be in vain; and he that loves God sincerely will be like him. Under the Old Testament, none in his genei'al course so like unto God as David, called, there- fore, " The man after God's own heart ;" and none ever made greater expressions of love unto him, which occur continually in the Psalms. And let men take what pains they can in acts and duties of obedi- ence, if they proceed not from a principle of divine love, their like- ness unto God will not be increased by them. All love, in general, hath an assimilating efficacy ; it casts the mind into the mould of the thing beloved. So love of this world makes men earthly mmded; their minds and affections grow earthly, carnal, and sensual. But of all kinds, divine love is most effectual to this purpose, as having the best, the most noble, proper, and attractive object. It is our ad- herence unto God with delight, for what he is in himself, as mani- fested in Jesus Christ. By it we cleave unto God, and so keep near him, and thereby derive transforming virtue from him. Every ap- proach unto God by ardent love and delight is transfiguring. And it acts itself continually by, — (1.) Contemplation; (2.) Admiration; and, (8.) Delight in obedience.
(1.) Love acts itself by contemplation. It is in the nature of it to be meditating and contemplating on the excellencies of God in Christ ; yea, this is the life of it, and where this is not, there is no love. A heart filled with the love of God will night and day be ex- ercising itself in and with thoughts of God's glorious excellencies, rejoicing in them. This the psalmist exhorts us unto : Ps. xxx. 4, " Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the re- membrance of his holiness." And love will do the same with respect unto all his other projjerties. See to this purpose Ps. Ixiii. through- out. And this will further our likeness unto him. Our minds by it will be changed into the image of what we contemplate, and we shall endeavour that our lives be conformed thereunto.
58G NECESSITY OF HOLINESS FEOM THE [BOOK V.
(2.) It works by admiration also. This is the voice of love, " How great is his goodness ! how great is his beauty ! " Zech. ix. 1 7. The soul being, as it were, ravished with that view which it hath of the glorious excellencies of God in Christ, hath no way to express its affections but by admiration. " How great is his goodness ! how great is his beauty I " And this beauty of God is that sweetness and holy symmetry of glory (if I may be allowed to speak so improperly) in all the perfections of God, being all in a sweet correspondency exalted in Christ, which is the proper object of our love. To see infinite holiness, purity, and righteousness, with infinite love, good- ness, grace, and mercy, all equally glorified in and towards the same things and persons, one glimpse whereof is not to be attained iu the world out of Christ, is that beauty of God which attracts the love of a believing soul, and fills it Avith a holy admiration of him. And this also is a most effectual furtherance of our conformity unto him, which Avithout these steps we shall labour in vain after.
(3.) Again, love gives delight in obedience and all the duties of it. The common instance of Jacob is known, of whom it is said that his seven years' service seemed short and easy to him, for the love he bare to Rachel. He did that with delight which he would not afterward undergo for the greatest wages. But we have a greater instance. Our Lord Jesus Christ says concerning all the obedience that was required of him, " Thy law, O God, is in my heart ; I de- light to do thy Avill." And yet we know how terrible to nature were the things he did and suffered in obedience to that law. But his unspeakable love to God and the souls of men rendered it all his delight. Hence follow intension and frequency in all the duties of it. And where these two are, intension of mind and spirit, with a frequency of holy duties, both proceeding from delight, there holiness will thrive ; and consequently we shall do so in our confor- mity to God. In brief, love and likeness unto God are inseparable, and proportionate unto one another; and without this no duties of obedience are any part of his image.