Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The summe and substance of XV. sermons. Preached by that faithful and painful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Christopher Love, late minister of Lawrence Jury, London. They being his last sermons. To which is added a funerall sermon, being the very last sermon he ever preached.

X. Sermon At Law∣rence Jury, London. April 13. 1651. (Book 10)

2 TIM. 2. 1.

Be strong in the grace of God that is in Christ Jesus.

WE have already handled two great Cases of Conscience about strength of

grace, about the consistency of strong temptations and strong cortuptions with the strength of grace, and shall now proceed to a third Case, which is this,

3. Whether strength of grace may consist with the want of those strong affections,* 1.1 which Chri∣stians have had at their first conversion?

In answering whereof I shall endeavour to shew three things.

1. When a man may be said to lose his first affections?

2. In what Cases may a strong Christian want strong affections?

3. Whence it is that those that have strong grace may want such strong affections as they had at their first Conversion?

1. When may a Christian be said to lose his first affections?* 1.2 Affections are fitly compared to the pulses of the soul, by which may judgement be given of the state and temper of the soul; and that we may know when these affections beat low and are decayed, we may make judgement hereof.

1. When we have not such eager desires after duties.* 1.3 It is very remarkable, that at a Christians first conversion, he is so earnest and eager after holy duties, that he will hardly allow time for the duties of his par∣ticular calling; nay how have men at first ty∣ed themselves to hear so many Sermons, make so many Prayers, read so many Chap∣ters, spend so many houres in holy Medita∣tion by our selves, and good conference

with other Christians? But alas, afterward this fervour begins to cool and remit, and men pray lesse, and hear more seldome, and this is from the multitude of their wordly occasions. Usually men at their first conver∣sion, (which as Divines have observed) or∣dinarily doth fall out between the eigh∣teenth and twenty eighth year of their age (though God indeed be tyed to no year) yet men at that age have usually lesse of the world, and so it comes to passe, that after∣ward when the cares and profits, and plea∣sures of the world steal away their affecti∣ons, that they grow much more remisse then they were at the beginning.

2. Affections may be judged to be decayed when men have not such ravishing joyes as we were wont to have.* 1.4 How many have been at first in Davids frame of heart,* 1.5 I was glad when they said to me, come let us go into the house of the Lord? but afterwards the overeflowing of this flood of joy by dogrees hath abated.

3. When sensible profit by Ordinances is abated.* 1.6 A man may profit by Ordinances, and yet not be sensible of that his profiting. A Christian may grow at the root in solidity of grace, though it may be not shoot up so much in blossomes of affection.

2. In what Cases may a strong Christian want strong affections?* 1.7

1. In case you have lesse sin in duties,* 1.8 though lesse affections. A weak young con∣vert hath oftentimes much affection in holy

duties, but much corruption too. They are very subject to rashnesse and precipitancy in their Prayers, and to be proud of any small measures of grace in duty, and too apt to have carnal dependance upon their duties: But old experienc't Christians, as they have often lesse affection, so lesse sin in duties. Papists have very much affection in the per∣formance of their devotions: but alas, they have the leaven of this errour in their best duties, that they think they merit by them: but grown and knowing Christians, though they may not be so affectionate in duty, as the weak, yet they may exercise much more grace then they do. And so also it is after duties are performed. Weak Christians are apt to indulge their corruptions afterwards, thinking they have made a compensation for their sins by their duties: But an experi∣enced grown Christian, though not so af∣fectionate in duty, yet he is carefull after∣wards that he do not by sin spoyle all his du∣ties.

2. A strong Christian may want strong af∣fections,* 1.9 in case he hath strength of judge∣ment to recompence the want of his affecti∣ons. Young trees are more sappy, but old trees are more solid; Wherefore the Apostle prayes for the Philippians, not only that tbeir love might abound, but that their judgement might also abound.* 1.10 As a man that is come to his full age, though he do not grow in bulke and extension of parts; yet he grows intensively,

and in the consolidation of the parts of the body: so old and experienced Christians, ••hough they have not so much affection; yet they have more solidity and clearnesse of judgement, more experimental knowledge in the profound mysteries of the Gospel, and more distinct apprehensions of the deep things of Christ. A strong believer, what he wants in affections he hath compensated to him in a distinct and experimental know∣ledge of the deceitfulnesse of his heart, of the vanity of the world, of the sinfulnesse of sin, and of the transcendent excellency of Christ. New converts are rash, inconsiderate, inju∣dicious; and therefore we have a promise made to new converts, that they shall proceed in grace. It is a promise made to the Gentiles when the Kingdom of Christ shall come a∣mongst them, that though at the first they were rash, yet it is said,* 1.11 The heart of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plain. Affecti∣on without knowledge will be but rash∣nesse, which (like metal in a young horse) will be apt to precipitate him and make him stumble. An experienced Christian though he have not so much seeming metal in his affection, yet shall rid more way to heaven by farre then a young Convert, and that without fear of stumbling. At the first kind∣ling of the fire, there may be more smoak, though afterward the flame will be clearer: So when at first thou hast much affection,

afterwards thou shalt have a clearer judg∣ment.

3. A strong Christian may want strong affections in case it proceed from a natural temper,* 1.12 and not from a sinful carelesse di∣stemper. There are some persons that are na∣turally of a soft and tender disposition, and these are naturally more affectionate; nay the woman who is the weaker vessel, com∣monly her heart holds most affection: And so likewise there are some who naturally are more bound up in their affections, and are of a reserved temper, who naturally do not break out into any great expression either of the passion of joy or grief. We read in the Gospel, that they that exprest most affection to Christ at his death, and made the most passionate lamentation for him, were the women,* 1.13 who naturally are of a more melting disposition. Some mens dispositions are like ice, they will easily thaw and melt; others like iron, it must be a a hot fire that will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them down: So it is, some men will be more affectionate upon a small occasion then others upon a greater, and this is from naturall disposition. Melancthon was not so affectionate as Luther, but it is observed that he was more judicious.

4. In case of sicknesse and old age, and bo∣dily weaknesse,* 1.14 He that hath strength of grace may yet want strength of affection. The expression of our affection depends much upon the temperature of the body, if

bodily strength and vigour be impaired, our affections must needs flag. As the ebbing and flowing of the sea depends upon the motion and influence of the Moon: So our affecti∣ons do ebbe and flow much what, as the strength or weaknesse of the body hath an influence upon them. As a Musician when he is grown old, cannot so dexterously handle an instrument, as when he was young, though perhaps he hath now more judgement and experience in musick; so it is in old age, that brings experience in the wayes of God, yet may abate affections. Old age and sicknesse makes the body like a tyred horse to the active soul; an active traveller would faine ride away to his journeys end, but his horse is tyred. An aged sickly Christian may have as much grace and more then ne had at first, and yet not be so able to pray; and so a Minister not so able to preach affectionately as before; and this from the indisposition of the body.

3. Whence it is that those that have strength of grace,* 1.15 may yet want those strong affections which they had at their first conversion?

1. Because at first conversion grace was but particularly imployed,* 1.16 which afterwards was more diffused and generally imployed. When much water runs in one Channel it makes the stream the stronger; but when there are many rivulets cut out, though there is as much and more water, yet there is not the same strength of stream: So it is at

our first conversion, all our affections made but up one stream, and so our affections see∣med the stronger. A new convert hath not so many duties to performe as a grown Christian hath, because he doth not know so many duties. It may be at first all his af∣fections run out to pray, and hear the Word, and read good books, and whilest all the affections run in this one channel they seem to be very strong; whereas a grown Christian he hath not only these generall duties, but many particular duties of his cal∣ling and relations to follow, he hath many duties to perform to God and men, which a new convert knowes not, and therefore it is that though his affections may seem weaker, yet his grace is as strong as before & stronger.

2. This is from the newness of the conditi∣on. Naturally we are much affected with any new thing,* 1.17 as for example, for a man that hath been many years in a dark dungeon, to be suddenly brought into the light, the sud∣dennesse of the change would much affect a man. This is the state of our souls at our first conversion; we are therefore brought from darknesse into light, and from the power of Satan unto God.* 1.18 By the grace of conversion, God calls us out of darknesse into his marvellous light; and because it is so marvellous, there∣fore it doth so much affect. The change at first conversion is very great, a man be comes another man, and man is so affected, that he is put into a kinde of astonishment.

Yet in this case we must distinguish between solid affections, and floting and transient passions, which do wear off presently, and vanish suddenly. The affections of some Christians, especially young ones, are like those colours which are not in grain, they will soon fade. It is with a young Convert as with a man going to execution, while he is upon the ladder a pardon is unexpectedly brought, how will this man be transported with joy? he will leap for joy, he will in that case be all joy & exultation for the present, and it may be afterward the flush & torrent of his joy is abated, though his life be as dear to him as ever: So when the soul hath been brought by the Law of God to a sight of its lost condition, & then the Gospel hath pro∣claimed a pardon, & the Spirit of God hath set on the comfort of that pardon upon his heart. Oh what ravishments hath that soule for the present! which perhaps he shall not long retain, the violence of his joy is aba∣ted, but the solidity of it remains. The soule is much affected with its first meeting with Christ, and though the flush of that joy be over, yet the souls love to Christ is as much, and its prizing Communion with Christ the same. The Creeple when he was restored to strength,* 1.19 went leaping and praising God, because the unexpectednesse of the cure did mightily affect his heart; and this is a second reason why those who are grown and solid Christians, yet perhaps may not retain the

same measure of affections they had at their first conversion.

3. A third Reason may be taken from Gods indulgence to young Converts,* 1.20 who usually gives in comfort according to the necessity of his people. It is with God our heavenly Father as with naturall Parents, they are most tender over their new-born children.* 1.21 That parable of the returning Pro∣digall is very full to this purpose; his father did not onely receive him mercifully, but bountifully too, he gave him more then was for necessity; not onely sho••s, but a ring; not only clothes, but the best robe; not only bread, but the fatted calfe, and musick at this Feast, and all this was for this newly converted and repenting son, though his father did not entertain him so every day. So our God, at our first conversion expresseth much of his bounty and indulgence to his children, though afterward we may have the same love of God, & the same love to God, though the expressions may not be the same now, as formerly in those daies of Gods bounty.

Let us from hence learn,* 1.22 that though we have lost those affections which we had, yet we must

1. Labour to be sensible of, and humbled for those decayes. A decayed condition is an uncomfortable condition; though thou hast so much grace as will bring thee to heaven, yet by thy decayes thou wilt be very uncom∣table here on earth.

2. Labour to get those decays repaired. If thou hast left thy first love,* 1.23 repent and doe thy first works.

3. Make up the want of former affections in solidity of knowledge and judgement; and if the candle give not so great a blaze, let it give a more clear and constant light.

4 Labour to keep up the primitive vigour of your affections.

1. Remember you may lose that in a short time, which you may be a long time in re∣covering. A man may lose more strength in one weeks sicknesse, then many months will make reparation. A wound may be quickly made, but not so soon cured. Philosophers wil tel us, that the way from the habit to the privation is far easier, then from the pri∣vation to the habit; it is far easier to make a seeing man blind, then to make a blind man see; so it is far easier to lose our holy affecti∣ons, then it is to recover them.

2. Labour to keep up your holy affections: for the truth of grace is more discerned by our affections then our actions. Acts of grace may be easier dissembled then gracious affe∣ctions. A Painter may paint the colour, but not the heat of the fire.

3. Labour to keep up affections as they were at first, because it is very hard to retain them: it is hard to keep them wound up to any height. Flush of spirituall joy is like the sea; the tide doth not so flow, but the ebbe doth fall as low. Bernard said of these strong

gusts and great flush of these spirituall joyes and gracious affections,* 1.24 They come but seldom, and stay but a short time. As in nature there is a spring, and then the fall of the leafe, and one day is clear, and another is cloudy: so it is with the best Christian, his affections are not alwaies at the same pitch, at the same height; but it should be our endeavour to cherish and maintain in our soules our first flourishing affections, in and towards the waies of God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Case 3.
• * 1.2

  Quest. 1.
• * 1.3

  Answ. 1.
• * 1.4

  Answ. 2.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 122, 1
• * 1.6

  Answ. 3.
• * 1.7

  Quest. 2.
• * 1.8

  Answ. 1.
• * 1.9

  Answ. 2
• * 1.10

  Phil. 1. 9.
• * 1.11

  Isa. 32. 4.
• * 1.12

  Answ. 3.
• * 1.13

  Luke 23. 27.
• * 1.14

  Answ. 4.
• * 1.15

  Quest. 3.
• * 1.16

  Answ. 1
• * 1.17

  Answ. 2.
• * 1.18

  1 Pet. 2. 9.
• * 1.19

  Act. 3. 8.
• * 1.20

  Answ 3.
• * 1.21

  Luke 15. 22.
• * 1.22

  Vse.
• * 1.23

  Rev. 2. 4, 5.
• * 1.24

  Rara hora, brevis mo∣ra.