us, as he did with the young man in the Gospell, saith hee, Goe and sell all that thou hast: My bre∣thren, it was not the act of selling, but it was the affection that was required. Therefore Christ did but try his affection by it; and it was perfor∣med by the wise Merchant that solde all, this the Lord requires that we loue him aboue all.
And there is good reason for it, for hee is most excellent and most amiable of all.
Besides, I am sure hee hath done for us more than all, as Paul speakes, Was Paul crucified for you? hath not Christ bought you, hath not hee redee∣med you, hath not he deserved more than all, and should he not therfore be loved aboue all?
Againe, is he not the uttermost end, are not all natures else subordinate? God as hee is aboue all, so should wee haue a loue answerable unto him.
But you will object, What, to loue God aboue my selfe, how can I doe that?
Yes my brethren, and there is good reason for that too, beeause in so doing we provide best for our selues; it is not so with the creature, if you set your loue upon it, if you loue any crea∣ture aboue your selves, it may be the destruction of your selves: But the Lord can provide for you and repaire you againe when the creature is destroyed for the Lords sake, when a man is a loser for any thing that he doth for the Lord, he is a great gainer by it; for it is the rule that God hath appointed the creature, and the perfe∣ction of every creature is in comming neere to