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HAving considered the first Circumstance, I come to the second, which sheweth the Antiquity of this Doctrine of Love: it was from the beginning: whence I observe.
Observ. That the Commandment of Love is from the beginning. It is true, we do not find, that it was in express words given in command at the beginning of the world: I
mean, we do not find any Record in the Word mentioning any such express Command of Love delivered in the beginning; but it is cer∣tain, that such a command was giv••n; for otherwise, Cain had not been guilty, when he did so notoriously transgress the Law of Love, in hating and murthering his Brother; for where no Law is, there is no Transgression. But it is manifest, that Cain did grievously trans∣gress, as appeareth, by the wrath of God a∣gainst him, by his arraignment and punishment of him; therefore there was a Law of Love gi∣ven in the beginning; against which this man, that was the first man born of a woman, offen∣ed grievously; and for which he was severe∣ly punished.
Now it is out of Question, That it was written in Adam's heart before his Fall; for it was a special part of that holy Image of God in him.— But then it may be said, that this Image of God was lost by the Fall, and so the Law of Love, as well as other parts of holi∣ness, was blotted out of his heart.— I an∣swer, that though it were blotted out of his heart, yet I do not believe it was blotted out of his head and understanding, but that still he retained a knowledg of this duty, although his heart was now so corrupted, and his affecti∣ons so perverted and disordered, that he could not frame his heart to obey this Law of Love:
He had lost that inclination to entire and per∣fect Love, which he had by Creation, and by which he resembled God, who is Love. But howsoever, the writing the Law in the heart of Adam at his Creation, or the remaining of this Law in the mind and understanding of A∣dam, I conceive not to be meant here by this message of God sent to men, and requiring them to love each other; for that was not lex tradita, sed insculpta, not a Law delivered by way of message, but a Law engraven, and a Character of Love imprinted in the mind of Adam: But this spoken of here, is the delive∣ry of a Law, as a message sent from God to man.
Therefore I conceive, That this Law of Love was by the Spirit of God revealed to A∣dam, and to other holy men, who were stirred up of God to teach and deliver it unto men, and to propagate this Doctrine of Brotherly-love, as men multiplied and encreased upon the earth. So it appeareth, in that soon after the the Fall; the Doctrine of the Gospel and Salva∣tion by Jesus Christ, was delivered to Adam, as a gracious message of Life. Now this was the Doctrine of Faith, and the Doctrine of Faith and Love are inseparable, and always go toge∣ther, as the Graces of Faith and Love are al∣ways joyned. For in Christ, who is promised in the Gospel, not only God is reconciled to
man, but also man is knit to man in Love. So ye may see how these two are joyned together as it were in one commandment, 1 Joh. 3.23. This is his Commandment, that we believe in his son Jesus Christ, and love one another as he gave us commandment. So that the Doctrine of the Gos∣pel commanding Faith, is but an imperfect Law, if it be not joyned with the command∣ment of Love.
The commandment of Faith and Love toge∣ther, make up a compleat Law: Therefore I doubt not, but as the one, so the other also was delivered in the Beginning. Abraham knew this well, who lived long before the Law was pub∣lished on mount Sinai, and therefore he walk∣ed in Love, and laboured to cherish Love, and to p•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the breach of Love, and thereupon saith to Loe, I pray thee let there be no strife between me and thee, for we are brethren: So it appeareth likewise by his carriages mother cases. And it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••eds be so, for the same way of Salvati∣on for the Substance is, and hath ever been o∣per•••••••• and shewed unto men: The same good wor••share ordained for the people of God to walk 〈◊〉〈◊〉 throughout all ages, therefore they must have the same rule to walk by in all sages. Now Love and the Fruits of Love is the Sub∣stance of the Law, therefore this was from the Beginning.