A treatise of love. Written by Iohn Rogers, ministers of Gods word in Dedham in Essex

CHAP. 6. Properties of true Loue.

NOw yet for our further di∣rection in this point of Loue, I will set downe some such Properties, as the Scripture requi∣reth in it; as that it must be mu∣tuall, common, sincere without feigning, feruent, pure, constant; all gathered out of 1 Pet. 1. 22.

First, it must be mutuall, it must come from one to another mutu∣ally, and be at euery hand: as God commands others to loue vs, so vs to loue others. so that none is free from this duty.

Many will looke for a great deale of Loue from others, that care not how little they shew themselues; would be visited, but care not to visit others: would haue their owne vertues com∣mended,

will not do so by others; haue their infirmities couered, but will not doe so: would not be prouoked, yet will prouoke: would not that others should be quickly angry with them, yet they will with others.

Alas, this is great weaknesse: for its a more blessed thing to giue, than to receiue, Acts 20. 35. And wee should rather striue to goe before, and set others in our debt by loue, and be on the forehand.

A good minde rather remem∣bers the debt that is going from him, than that which is comming to him. This oft comes of pride in some men, to looke for much of others, and performe little themselues.

The husband oft lookes his wife should walke at an inch with him, though hee will breake ells out of square. So sometimes it fals out▪ with the wife towards her husband, looke for much, and

performe little. This is no equity: we must doe, as wee would bee done to.

Its more dangerous for vs to neglect our duty to others, than that they neglect to vs; for this is but a small want, but the other makes vs liable to Gods iudge∣ment. Let vs therefore striue who shall doe most duety each to o∣ther; husband to wife, neighbour to neighbour: and not the con∣trary.

2. It must be common: One another. Its in the plurall number, and shewes a communitie; that we must not love one, or two, or a few, but all, and especially all that feare God. Love communi∣cates it selfe, and is not engrossed to a few. Many can be content to love one, or two, or a few as they list, but they set light by the rest, yea oppose and iustle with some, and liue vnkindly with them. This is no true love, neither

ought it so to be. Yea, wee must loue the meanest that feare God, and not neglect them. The mea∣nest member of the body is regar∣ded by the greatest. Though they bee of low degree in the world, yet seeing they be mem∣bers of that glorious body of Iesus Christ, wee must not haue the faith of him in respect of persons, Iames 2. 1. Seeing God hath vouchsafed to giue his Sonne for them to redeeme them, his Spirit to sanctifie them, and hath pre∣pared a place in heauen for them, we must not despise them. Nay, these wee ought the rather to en∣courage, and to hearten on in well-doing, seeing so few of that sort haue any good in them, and they haue many discouragements. They will beare their pouerty the better. Its a great cheering to them, when they see themselues regarded. And nothing is more comely, than to see wealthy ones

to be affable, and to speak kindly, and to the hearts of the poore that be godly; as Boaz did to Ruth. For, beeing fellow-brethren and fellow-members as deare to God as they, should a little wealth lift vp the minde? The Lord is the Maker of them both, Prou. 22. 2. Iames 2▪ 5. Hath not God chosen the poore of this world, that they should be rich in Faith, and heires of the Kingdome? &c.

3 It must be without seigning, Rom. 12. 9. 1 Iohn 3. 18. Not in word, or in tongue, but in deede, and in truth. God hates dissembling in euery thing: whether in loue pre∣tended to himselfe, when is no such thing, or towards our neigh∣bour, in any of our dealings with him. God loues simplicity and plaine dealing; as in Iacob and Nathaneel.

If Loue, which is the maine vertue, be counterfeit, what shall become of all the dueties that

proceed from thence? Gods loue to vs was not feigned and in shew, but sincere and reall, when he gaue vs his beloued Sonne to the death for our sins.

Here two sorts of persons are iustly to bee taxed: 1. Such as pretend to loue, when yet they hate. 2. Such as make shew to loue, and do not. For the first, Psal. 28. 3. Psal. 12. 2. & 55. 21. & 62. 4. Pro. 26. 24. reade these places. Thus did Ioab to Amasa, 2 Sam. 20. Iudas to our Sauiour Christ, Saul to Dauid, 1 Sam. 18. 17. 25. giuing him his Daughter to bee a snare to him, requiring no ioyn∣ture, but an hundred fore-skins of the Philistims, hoping thereby hee might fall into their hands. which persons carry a marke of Reprobation about them. Psalme 28. 3. Workers of iniquitie, to whom belongs some notable iudgement of God. They be like the Diuell, who pretended loue

to Eue, when hee sought her ruine, and of all her posteritie. So to our Sauiour Christ, Mat. 4. All these will I giue thee &c.

As these bee more dangerous to those they hate, than if they did openly shew it (for then they could better beware of them: One Enemie within the Wals is worse than ten without) so are they worse for themselues: For, any vice masked and cloked vn∣der a shew of vertue, is double iniquitie. And as our Sauiour Christ said to the Scribes and Pharisees, Mat. 23. 14. Ye shall re∣ceiue greater damnation; so shall these.

Yet how common is this? ma∣ny will speake faire as may bee to their Neighbour, when yet they intend mischiefe against them, or as soon as their back is turned, mocke or iest at them, speake euill, or raise vp some slander a∣gainst them, or doe them what

hurt they can. If we know any haue dealt so with vs, let vs take heed that we neuer do so by them or any other, but loathe it, as hatefull and diuellish.

For the second sort: There be that pretend they loue, but alas! try, and you shall finde no such thing. A deale of Court-holy▪ water, congeyes, and crouchings, an handfull of true hearty loue, is worth ten armefuls of their con∣geyes downe to the ancles: they will salute Good morrow, and Good night, when yet they mind, nor heartily wish no good. These are clouds without raine, plashes that deceiue when most need is; vessels with false bottomes, that haue a little water on the top, but empty below: Snch as will ear∣nestly inuite, when they know one cannot or will not stay, prof∣fer kindnesse, when they thinke it will not bee needed; but if it happen to be accepted, and made

vse of at any time, then they ey∣ther haue some shifts to auoide it, or else doe it with much vn∣willingnesse, and grumbling be∣hinde the parties backe.

So those that pretend they loue the poore, yet come to them in their behalfe, and no∣thing shall you get, but what they are forced vnto, and hardly that.

So many good Ministers and Christians haue found small kind∣nesse in their need, at the hands of such, as yet in their prosperity haue profest good will, and made great shewes of loue to them; they might haue done full ill for all these: what loue call you this? Its like Faith without workes, which God will condemne. So to speake well of such and such men, to pity them, and say they are worthy men, and pity they should want, yet neuer doe any thing for them. If God should

feed them thus, they would soon complaine.

4 The fourth thing required in Loue, is, that it must be pure. It must come from a pure heart▪ as St. Peter speakes, and be agreea∣ble to the rule of the pure Word of God.

Pure Loue is seene in diuers things: First, it loues for some vertuous and good actions: there∣fore the loue of the Adulterer and his Mate, of Drunkards and Theeues, that be sworne brothers, is no loue.

To loue a man, because he can dice well, or sweare deeply, drink others vnder boord, or mocke and deride wittily, or raile bit∣terly against the seruants of God; this is cursed loue: for true Loue reioyceth not in iniquity; as we haue heard. A worse note can∣not be, than when one sees one fight cunningly or desperately a∣gainst God, to loue him the bet∣ter.

These be no better than Re∣bels, and Conspirators against the Maiesty of God.

2 Pure Loue is that, which is grounded on Grace and Religi∣on, and on no transitory thing; or in those that haue no grace, we loue them for conscience of Gods commandement, and be∣cause of that part of the Image of God that is in them: which con∣demnes the carnall loue of the most, which loue onely for worldly respects; for strength, beauty, or any inward gift of the minde not sanctified: as wit, skill in Arts, musicke, play. These are worthy loue, but to loue onely for these, is not true and pure Loue; for thus loued the Hea∣then: worldly mens loue is for such respects, and no other. Yea, euen Gods seruants faile this way sometimes, as old Isaac, that loued Esau for his skill in hunting, Dauid loued Absolon for his

beauty; and so doth many a man his wife, which doe ill to build loue on so false grounds: for when these faile, oft the loue goes after.

3 Pure Loue is in respect of the party himselfe, whom wee loue, and for no respect to our selues, or any commodity of ours. And such was Gods loue, in gi∣uing his Sonne to vs miserable sinners; which condemnes the world, who onely loue for selfe∣respects: As hee is my Vncle, Friend, loues mee, or hath done this or that for mee, or may doe mee a pleasure; therefore I will make much of him, or for feare he may doe me a shrewd turne: This, if it bee shaken out of the clouts, will be found but selfe∣loue; wee haue a respect and aime onely to, and at our selues, Mat. 5. 46. Many a man shewes kindnesse, or doth good to some onely, to purchase credit.

The husband loues his wife, because she pleaseth him well, is faire, a good housewife, and for nothing else: this is selfe-loue. All the Papists charitable deeds were all selfe-loue; for they were done with opinion of merit, and so they loued themselues rather than the parties they gaue vnto. So is all the loue of worldlings; examine it, and you shall most∣what finde it to bee selfe-loue; they haue some reach at them∣selues.

4 Pure Loue is, when wee so loue a man, as we loue his soule; and therefore will suffer no euill to rest vpon him, but hate the sin in him whom hee loues most dearly, and will counsell him to all good, and from all euill. Ther∣fore so to loue our neighbour, as not to tell him of his fault for an∣gring or disquieting of him (if he be such as wee may speake to) is hatred rather than loue, as God

saith, Leuiticus 19. 17.

So Parents, that loue their children so well, as they will not nurture, rebuke, correct them; they hate them▪ they slay them in following their wayes: Hee that spares the rod, hates his childe, Prou. 13. 24. Its as one should bee so tender ouer a childe, as not to suffer the winde to blow vpon it; and therefore hold the hand be∣fore the mouth of it, but hold so hard, as hee strangles the childe: As the Ape that hugs her young so hard, as she kils it.

Againe, friends perswade a man to doe this or that for pre∣ferment, that he cannot doe with good conscience: Oh they loue him, they would faine see him preferred. Wofull loue to the bo∣die, to destroy the soule.

A neighbour hath a childe, or cattell strangely handled; one comes in of loue, and perswades him to send to such a cunning

man, or good Witch (the worst instrument of the Deuill of all) for helpe. Is hee a friend, that will doe that that shall vantage one a penny, and ere the yeare come about, hinder him a hun∣dred pound?

So when a good Christian is ready to suffer for a good confer∣ence, and a friend comes and sayes, Oh I pray cast not away yourselfe, I wish you well; be not too nice, doe as others doe. Cruell loue is this, to perswade them to saue their bodies, by do∣ing that, whereby they should cast away soule and body for e∣uer: As Peter aduiseth our Saui∣our Christ not to goe vp to Ieru∣salem to suffer, but to fauour him∣selfe, Matth. 16. 22. which was to disswade him from doing his Fa∣thers will, and from that, wherby Peter himselfe and all mankinde should bee saued, and without which they had all beene lost for

euer: what loue therefore was this? you may see by the thankes our Sauiour Christ gaue him, who bade him get him behinde him Sathan; for hee sauoured not of the things of God, but of the world.

5 Next, our Loue must be fer∣uent. We must loue earnestly, and hotly as wee can; and secondly, constantly: for in these two things stands feruency. First, for the earnestnesse of our Loue; as wee must stretch it to as many per∣sons, and in as many dueties as wee can, to soule, to body, in gi∣uing, forgiuing, &c. as wee haue heard before; so in these we must not be sparing, but in giuing, li∣berall; for he that sowes sparingly, shall reape sparingly, 2 Cor. 9. 6. So in forgiuing plenteous, to seuenty times, &c. For thus is God to vs, in giuing for soule, body, goods, name, to our selues and ours, day & night, neuer weary in doing vs

good, neuer vpbraiding. In for∣giuing, how mercifull, in passing by our manifold offences, and that daily? And the rather, be∣cause a little loue is soon quencht; therefore wee must so loue, as though wee meete with many temptations from the parties themselues, or from others, that yet wee suffer it not to be extin∣guished. And wee must loue fer∣uently; not doing these dueties when we can well, and haue no∣thing to let vs, but forget our pleasure, profit, ease, &c. to doe our neighbour good. Loue seeks not her owne things. It is labors∣ous, 1 Cor. 13. as in the Samariran, who set vp the wounded man vpon his horse, and went on foote him∣selfe, and left all the money in his purse for his charges, and pro∣mised to send more. And as hee that rose out of his warme bed, to lend his neighbour loaues. As they that gaue out of their maine

stocke, or sold their lands to re∣lieue the necessities of the Church, Acts 2. 44. Aboue and beyond all comparison ten thou∣sand times, was the feruency of the loue of God the Father, when hee parted with his owne and onely Sonne out of his bosome, for our Redemption, and of our Lord Iesus Christ, who forsooke the glory of Heauen, and laide downe his life here vpon earth, to saue vs miserable siuners, and his vtter enemies.

Oh how doth this condemne the cold, yea, frozen loue of the world? And where there is a sparke, yet it is so weake, as the least drop of water will quench it. We will not speake a word in defence of neuer so good a man or cause, if it will hinder our selues neuer so little, or procure vs but a frowne.

How worthily on the contrary did Ionathan, who spake for Da∣uid

to Saul his father, to the dan∣ger of his owne life, 1 Sam. 20. 33. So Ester endangered her life to speake for the Church; I will goe to the King, If I perish, I perish, Hest. 4. 16.

6 Lastly, our Loue must bee constant; not easily broken off, but continuing to the end, Heb. 13. 1. Ephes. 4. 3.

Thus is Gods loue to his, Iohn 13. 1. which wee must imitate. The Deuill will seeke to breake it off, and our selues (being men) are fraile, and many occasions will be ready to be offered; ther∣fore wee had need with all dili∣gence, to striue to hold and main∣taine it aliue in our hearts.

How doth this rebuke the in∣constancy of many men, that are wonne (as we say) with an apple, and lost with a nut; that will vp∣on euery sleight occasion breake friendship? If God should so deale with vs, what should be∣come

of vs? But his loue is con∣stant to his, notwithstanding their daily prouocations.

Yea, hee loues them in aduer∣sity, and their low estate; yea, best then, and is nearest them with his comforts. So it ought to bee with vs; for then our neighbour hath most need of vs, and then our loue will shew it selfe to bee most free, and not mercenary. But how contrary is this euery where? While they be in prospe∣rity, they haue many friends, which in their affliction goe aloofe off; as Dauid oft complain∣eth, and Iob, to whose very wife his breath was strange in the day of his affliction. Ruth did quite contrary, & very commendably, who vowed to her mother-in-law Naomi, that nothing but death should separate between them.

Notes

• 1.