Miscellanea philo-theologica, or, God, & man A treatise compendiously describing the nature of God in his attributes, with a lively pourtraiture of his wisedome in ordering, and disposing of the celestiall, and terrestriall bodies. Containing much variety of matter ... and apt applications singular for brevity, and perspicuity. By Henry Church.

[Sect. 5] Fifthly, Applications to edifie.

1. TO admire the love of God: 1 Iohn 3.1. both for the freenesse, greatnesse, and continuance: we ad∣mire that we cannot comprehend; such is the love of Christ, Eph. 3.19. that it passes our knowledge.

2. If God hath so loved us, we ought to love him a∣gaine with all our heart, and minde, and strength. Deut. 6.6. Matth. 22.37.

3. Let us endeavour to preserve our love to the Lord.

1. Take heede we looke not on the worlds excellen∣cy too much, and neglect divine meditations.

2. If we will preserve our love, we must preserve our acquaintance with him by daily prayer, reading, hea∣ring. Iob 22.21.

3. Daily consider the worth of his love; 'tis better than life it selfe: Psal. 63.3. and of the effects of his love, in giving his Sonne, his Spirit, his Graces, his Promi∣ses, his consolations, this world, and the next world; this will revive our love to him.

4. 'Tis great impiety to decline in love to God; wee make as if he were not so amiable, and love-worthy as once we thought him, or that we have found some∣thing that deserves our affection more than himselfe.

If we preserve our love to God, we preserve our assu∣rance of his love to us, we preserve our strength to per∣forme duties, to beare crosses; we preserve in our selves a fitnesse to live, and a promptnesse to dye; preserve this, and it will preserve us.

Fourthly, concerning love to men.

1. Let us thinke of things that pertaine to love, such thoughts are both comfortable and profitable. Phil. 4.8.

2. Pursue love, follow after it, as men that hunt, doe

pursue the hare, let us follow hard to catch it, not to kill it, but enjoy it. 1. Cor. 14.1.

3. Let our trading, and imployments, all our businesse and affaires be done in love. 1 Cor. 16.14.

4. Let us endeavour to be sound in love. Tit. 2.2.

This duty is

• 1. Commanded. 1. Iohn 3.23.
• 2. Commended. 1. Cor. 13.13.
• 3. Approved. Rev. 2.19.
• 4. Rewarded. Heb. 6.10.

And our love should be thus ordered.

1. To love God above all as the supreame, and chiefe good.

2. To love our owne soules next, as being more worth than all the world. Matth. 16.6.

3. To love my neighbours soule, for that may partake of God; after that manner the body is not capable, but by participation with the soule.

4. To love my owne body above all other mens.

5. The bodies of my brethren, among them;

1. Those which are most godly.

2. Those that are of my owne nation.* 1.1

3. Those that are my kindred.

4. Especially those of my family. 1. Tim. 5.8.

5. Above all my wife. Gen. 2.24.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gal. 6.13. Psalme 122.8