§. 67. Of Christian love.
THe next thing that God is here said, not to forget, is labour of love. a 1.1 Love ac∣cording to the notation of the Greek word signifieth a kind of complacency, a quieting, or pleasing ones self in such a person, or such a thing. The b 1.2 verb whence it is derived, is compounded of an c 1.3 adverb that signifieth greatly, and a d 1.4 simple verb which signifieth to rest. These joyned, signifie greatly to rest in a thing. Men use to rest in what they love, and so much to rest therein, as they are loath to part with it.
Love is attributed to God and man. It is so eminently, and transcendently in God, as he is said to be love: even love it self. God is love, 1 Joh. 4. 16.
Love is attributed to men in reference to God, and other men, as the object thereof: Thou shalt love the Lord. Thou shalt love thy neighbour. Matth. 22. 37, 39.
In reference to other men, it is indefinitely taken without exception of any, Matth. 5. 44.
Or determinately, and in a speciall respect to Professors of the true faith: in which respect it is stiled brotherly love, 1 Thes. 4. 9.
This generall word love is apparently distinguished from that particular brotherly love, both in name and thing, 2 Pet. 1. 7. Yet that generall is also put for this par∣ticular, as Ioh. 13. 35. So here in this place: for it is exemplified by ministring to the Saints; which is a speciall fruit of brotherly love. It is therefore brotherly love, which God cannot forget, but hath in perpetuall remembrance. Thine almes, saith an Angel to Cornelius, are come up for a memorial before God, (Acts 10. 4.) By almes he meaneth such a ministring to Saints as in this Text is intended: and those were a fruit of such love as is here intended.
- 1. This love is the truest evidence that can be given of our love to God, 1 Ioh. 3. 17. and 4. 20. It is also a fruit of our faith in God, Gal. 5. 6.
- 2. This love, of all other graces, maketh us most like to God, 1 Ioh. 4. 16. Mat. 5. 45.
- 3. This love is a mother grace: it comprizes all other graces under it, Gal. 5. 14. Rom. 13. 9.
- 4. This love seasoneth all things that we take in hand, 1. Cor. 16. 14. and 13. 2.
We have hereupon great and just cause to get this grace to be well rooted in our hearts: to nourish and cherish it: and on all occasions to shew forth the fruits of it. Hereof see more Chap. 13. v. 1. §. 2. &c.