The comforts of divine love Preach'd upon the occasion of the much lamented death of the reverend Mr. Timothy Manlove. With his character, done by another hand.

SERMON I.

ROM. VIII. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39.

Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

(As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the Day long; we are account∣ed as Sheep for the slaughter.)

Nay in all things we are more than Con∣querors, through him that loved us.

For I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor heighth, nor depth, nor any other Creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

MY last Discourses to you, were an Explication of that great Command and Counsel of

our Blessed Lord Jesus; Of striving to enter in at the strait Gate. In my Di∣rections to you for your regular pursuit of this important Charge, among other things I recommended to you the Apo∣stle Paul's Prescription, Gal. 5.16. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the Lust of the Flesh.

It was my Purpose at this Time to have made a further Progress in that Matter, but having received an Intima∣tion, that my dear Brother and Fellow. Labourer now Deceased; had found such Comfort in his Meditations on this Scripture in his Prospect of Death, that he expressed his Desires, that his Fune∣ral Sermon might be upon this Text: His pious Desire (that others might ••e comforted with the Comfort where with he was comforted of God) prevailed with me (though upon a short Warn∣ing) to turn my Thoughts to this Scrip∣ture, and the rather, because (your Hearts being softned by this mournful Providence) the Truth contained i•• this Text might possibly make the dee••∣er Impression upon you.

I cannot let you into the full Under∣standing

of the Apostles Triumphant Conclusion, except I lead you to the first Rise and Head of it. In ver. 1. He give us the Consequence of his for∣mer Doctrine, he had largely asserted and proved in the foregoing Chapters, That we are justified by Grace, and freed from the Law. From these Truths he lays down this comfortable Conclusion as most evident and certain. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. This Conclu∣sion is full: No Condemnation, neither by God, nor Law, nor Conscience; and it is universally true to all that are in Christ.

But because this Conclusion is the Corner-stone, and must sustain the weight of all the superstructure, he first limits it to those that are in Christ, and explains what he means by giving them their true Character. They walk not af∣ter the Flesh, but after the Spirit.

Next he proves his Assertion, by its Parts. 1. That there is no Condem∣nation to such. This he argues in the Four following Verses. His Argument is this, the condemning Law is superse∣ded,

he grants there was a Covenant of Works, which being broken, was to us a Law of Sin and Death. It charged us with Sin, and that dueness of the Curse. But then he shows there is ano∣ther Law (which he calls a Law of the Spirit of Life) that is a Covenant of Grace, promising Life, as also the Assi∣stance of the Spirit: And this Law be∣ing a remedying Law sets us free from the former.

2. The Limitation and Character of the Persons to whom this Freedom is li∣mited, he proves and explains in the following Verses, shewing that it must be the natural Genius and Temper of those that are in Christ, to mind the things of the Spirit; as those that are af∣ter the Flesh will naturally mind the things of the Flesh, ver. 5.

From the great Love of God, and the sure Foundation of it, he proceeds to make some Inferences, as 1. That then we are Debtors to God in point of Ho∣liness, ver. 12. and in ver. 31. He heaps up many Inferences of Consolation.

1. That if God be thus engaged to be for us as our Father and Protector,

none can be against us to our hurt.

2. He infers, that seeing God hath given us Christ, we may expect what ever shall be necessary for the Compleat∣ment of our Happiness.

3. He infers, that the malicious or er∣ronious Accusations of Men, are of no Consideration, ver. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the Charge of Gods Elect? Be∣cause, 1. There is no Tribunal but Gods, and if he acquit us, 'tis no mat∣ter who Condemns us. 2. Christ did all his Work of Redemption compleat∣ly, ver. 34. Not only Dying, but Ri∣sing again to make Intercession for us.

4. Hence he infers in a Triumphant Assurance, the impossibility of our Se∣paration from the Love of God, ver. 35. Who shall separate us from the Love of God? &c. That the Strength of this Inference may more fully appear, I shall distinctly Note these Particulars.

1. The Subject spoken of, The Love of God. Whether it be God's Love to us, or our Love to God is questioned; some think both are intended, and that it is impossible that it should fail on ei∣ther Part. But surely Gods Love to us

is chiefly intended: For on our part in it self it's too possible, that under such Temptations our Love and Faith might fail. But the impossibility ariseth from God's Will: He will not suffer our Love to fail. So that ultimately the not failing of our Love, is resolved in∣to Gods unchangeable Love. And beside the Expressions of the last Verse of this Chapter. The Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, doth clearly Point at Gods Love to us.

2. The next thing asserted is our Non-Separation from this Love. The Word in the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is the same Word that is used, Mat. 19.6. with respect to the Jewish Divorces. So that the mean∣ing is, Though Gods Love may some∣time be hidden, yet there will never be a Divorce or Eternal Separation.

3. The Impossibility of this Separation appears in this Discourse two Ways.

1. By an Enumeration of those things that might seem possible to effect a Sepa∣ration, but cannot; these the Apostle ranges into Two Classes. 1. No kind or degrees of Sufferings. Here he reck∣ons up several hard things. Shall tribu∣lation,

distress, &c? 2. No outward Powers. Neither fear of Death, nor hope of Life, nor Devils, nor persecu∣ting Rulers, nor heighth of Advance∣ment, nor depth of Ignominy and Re∣proaches; and least any thing else should be pretended, he adds, nor any other Creature, as an, &c. including all.

2. The Impossibility of this Separati∣on is imply'd in his manner of speaking by continued Interrogation, Who shall separate? As also by his Assurance, I am perswaded; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 though it some∣time signifie no more than a Moral Per∣swasion, yet here it signifies undoubted Assurance, like the Phrase in Rom. 14.14. and 2 Tim. 2.12. I know and am perswaded.

The Doctrine I shall now draw out of these Words, is this;

The Consideration of the Infiniteness and Ʋnchangeableness of God's Love, is sufficient to guard our Hearts from all Affrightments, that may arise from all that may befal us in this World.

To make way for the Application of this Truth, I shall explain and prove these Three Things.

I. That God's Love to Elect Belie∣vers is Infinite.

II. That this Love of God is Ʋn∣changeable.

III. That the Consideration of Gods Infinite and Unchangeable Love, is a sweet Cordial in all Distresses, and a Guard against all Affrightments of Fear, to all that are in Christ.

I. That God's Love to Elect Believers is Infinite, admirably Great. All Gods Attributes, even those that are called Communicable (such as his Power, Wis∣dom, Justice, Love, &c.) are in God infinitely, eternally, and unchangea∣bly. His Love therefore in Scripture is crowned with the Epithite [Great] His great Love wherewith he loved us, Eph. 2.4. His Love, his Power, his Understanding are commensurate with his Infinite Greatness. Thus David ar∣gues, Psalm 147.5. Great is our Lord, and of great Power: his Ʋnderstanding is Infinite.

But that we might have a more easie

Satisfaction and Apprehension of the Love of God, the Scripture commends the greatness of Gods Love to us, un∣der Three Considerations.

The First is by comparing the won∣derful Greatness of God, with the Ob∣ject of his Love. This Consideration Holy David insists on, Psalm 113.4, 5. The Lord is high above all Nations, and his Glory above the Heavens: Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on High? That is, He is so great, that his merciful regard of the highest crea∣ted Beings, Things in Heaven, much more of the lower World, Things on Earth, is so far below his glorious Great∣ness, that it is a kind of abasement to him to behold them, ver. 6. He hum∣bleth himself, to behold the Things that are in Heaven, and in the Earth. He humbleth himself to behold these things that are so far below him. That would be a strange unaccountable Love, that should make a great Prince set his Heart upon a Worm or Fly, to regard, feed and watch over it; and we are as mean if compared to an Infinite God. The Nations are as the drop of a Bucket, or

the small Dust of the Ballance: They are counted to him as nothing, and if any thing can be lower, less than nothing, Isa. 40.15, 17. The Inhabitants of the Earth, are but as Grashoppers, ver. 22.

This Consideration was David's Me∣ditation in Psalm 8. when his Thoughts were upon the Wing, mounting up∣ward toward the excellent Glory of the Divine Majesty, he almost looseth the sight of Man. What is Man? v. 4. At last his Contemplation carries him to an Admiration of Gods Love and Care over so low a Creature. What is Man? But oh how great is God's Love in be∣ing mindful of him, so as to visit him! Which is further explained by Job 7.17. What is Man that thou shouldest mag∣nifie him! That thou shouldest set thy Heart upon him! That thou shouldest visit him every Morning! But if we should place Man in an higher Degree, and consider him as a Servant, yet still Gods Love looseth not its Lustre, because at best we are but unprofitable Servants, Luke 17.10. If we should do all that we are commanded, we do but that which was our Duty to do, and which

we owe to God upon the Right of Crea∣tion; yet we merit nothing. God hath no Advantage or Profit by our Service, Job 22.2, 3. Can a Man be profitable unto God? What gain is it to him that thou makest thy ways perfect.

If Man at best be so far below the De∣sert of God's Love, How great will this Love appear, if we consider Man as sin∣ful! Thus we are become Enemies, not only breakers of his Law, but opposite thereto, and withal were helpless, and could do nothing for our selves. Both these the Apostle takes Notice of, Rom. 5.6. as a transcendant Manifestation of God's Love; and ver. 8. God commend∣eth his Love to us.

2. The Scriptures set forth the great∣ness of Gods Love, by the great and wonderful Benefits bestowed on us. We usually measure Love by the Fruits of it. The Fruits of Gods Love can∣not be numbred; particularly the Pro∣mises are so loaden with them, that they are justly called exceeding Great and Pre∣cious Promises. In the gross, They are things that pertain unto Life and Godli∣ness, 2 Pet. 1.3. All spiritual Blessings

in heavenly Places, Eph. 1.3. The Bles∣sings of this Life and that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. All that is within the Circumference of Grace and Glory, Psalm 84.11.

3. But above all Gods Love is mag∣nified by the Method, which his Infi∣nite Wisdom pitched upon for the bring∣ing about his Purpose of Love; this was the sending Christ to Die for Sinners. This was such an adorable Mystery of Wisdom and Love, that the Angels de∣sire to look into it. Christ himself speaks of it as transcendant beyond Compari∣son. God so loved the World, that he sent his only begotten Son, &c. John 3.16. and in 1 John 4.9, 10. The Apo∣stle represents it as the most glorious Publick Manifestation of Love. In this was manifested the Love of God towards us, because that God sent his only Son in∣to the World. Herein is Love, &c.

II. The second thing that I am to ex∣plain and prove, is, That this Love of God is Ʋnchangeable. It is frequently called an Everlasting Love, Jer. 31.3. I have loved thee with an Everlasting Love. His Mercy endureth for ever.

Having loved his own, he loved them un∣to the end, John 13.1. And it must needs be so, if it be considered.

1. That Gods Nature is Unchangea∣ble. God asserts it, Mal. 3.6. I am the Lord, I change not. Psalm 102.25, 26. The Heavens and the Earth shall perish, but thou shalt endure. Thou art the same, and thy Years shall have no end. James 1.17. With God is no variableness, nei∣ther shadow of Turning.

The Unchangeableness of Gods Na∣ture is evident by the very Light of Reason. All that believe the Existence of God, will yield, that Deus est ens ne∣cessarium & Independens. God is a ne∣cessary and Independant Being. That God is Self-existent is an Original and Fundamental Idea, which we are to have of God. This Monsieur Abbadie proves in his Vindication of the Christian Religion, Sect. 2. Cap. 2. And from this necessity of his Being, he deduceth his Immutability. For if God depend not upon any other Being, nor receive any thing from any other Being, his Essence cannot then be varied. And if his Na∣ture is Unchangeable, his Will is also

Unchangeable. It is true, God doth sometime change his Promises and Threatnings, but his Purposes he chan∣geth not. Mutat Sententiam sed non Decretum. Men usually change their declared Purposes, because all Men are Liers, and so break their Promises; or they Promise without due Considerati∣on, and when any thing happens which they foresaw not, they repent. But it cannot be thus with God. My Counsel shall stand, I have purposed it, I will al∣so do it, Isa. 49.10, 11. The Reason of this we have in Numb. 23.19. God is not a Man that he should lie, neither the Son of Man, that he should repent.

2. That Gods Love is Unchangea∣ble will further appear, if we consider that his Love is bottomed upon a cer∣tain Foundation, His own free Purpose, and Christs Purchase. This Reason the Apostle doth not obscurely suggest in the Text, None can separate us from Gods Love, because it is a Love to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Had it been built upon the sandy Foundation of our Merit, we might have feared the failure of it upon every miscarriage or failure of Duty.

III. The Third Thing to be explain∣ed is, That the Consideration of Gods Infinite and Unchangeable Love is a sweet Cordial in all Distresses, and a Guard against all Affrightments of Fear to all those that are in Christ. For,

1. Those that are in Christ being re∣conciled and pardoned, may be assured, that however God may change his Coun∣tenance toward them, yet he will not change his Heart. He may be angry, but Anger and Love are consistent. All Men may be convinced of this. Pa∣rents may be angry with their Children, and yet love them. It is true, that Pa∣rental Corrections will be grievous to in∣genuous Children, they will mourn un∣der them; and thus God's Anger will be an heavy Burden to his Children, as their Complaints and Sorrows do abun∣dantly Witness. Yet God would have us to consider his Love in his Rod, Heb. 12.6. Whom the Lord loveth he chasten∣eth. To be without Chastisement is an Evidence, that we are Bastards, and not Sons. God may be angry but he never changeth his Love into hatred.

2. The greatest outward Afflictions

are so managed by God, that if we could duely observe his dealings with us, we might perceive his Love inter∣mixed with the Lashes of his Rod. All the while he manifests a fatherly Pity and Compassion. Fury is not in him. He hath a gentle Hand to the weak: He remembers their Mold and Fashion. They have also secret Supports and sea∣sonable Deliverances.

3. All these Distresses are so far from separating his Children from his Love that as he orders them, they Work to∣gether for their good. Their Graces are hereby exercised, encreased, and made bright, as your Vessels are by scouring. So that their Distresses yield the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness to those that are exercised thereby, Heb. 12.11. They are hereby brought into nearer Communion with God; and at last, he lifts up the Light of his Countenance upon them, like clear shining after Rain.

4. It is further evident, that all out∣ward Troubles cannot separate them from the Love of God, because he doth evidently strengthen their Hearts under

them, so that they prevail not to draw them off from God. This Argument the Apostle fixeth on a Demonstration of what he had asserted, In all these things we are more than Conquerors. It's a glorious Victory to stand in an Evil Day, when Satan hath drawn up all his Forces against us: 'Tis a glorious Victory not only to escape without Loss, but to gain by his Opposition; thus we out-shoot him in his own Bow. And all this, sine Labore & Sudore, easily through Divine Assistance.

5. All these Troubles do not so much as render us less Lovely in Gods Eyes. God is not as Man; Men judge often by outward Appearance, Gods Chil∣dren are often blackened with false Ac∣cusations and Reproaches; but God will not judge them according to Men's Misrepresentations. You have a clear instance of it in that Scripture which hath been so much abused. He hath not beheld Iniquity in Jacob, neither hath be seen perversness in Israel. The mean∣ing is not, that the Omniscient God doth not see, or that an Holy God can∣not be angry at the Transgressions of

his People. But thus we are to under∣stand it. Balaam was upon a Design of cursing Israel, Balak would have re∣presented them as a Company of Rob∣bers, that came to destroy and invade a Country that was not their own, but being not able to prevail, he gives this for a Reason, That God would not judge of them as they had represented them, nor deal with them according to their Desires and Condemnation.

6. The Consideration of Gods Love, hath a Power in it to sweeten our great∣est Afflictions, and to take out the sting and venom out of the worst of out Troubles. If we have Gods Love, we have more than all the World can give us, it will counter-ballance all Trou∣bles, and make up all Losses of out∣ward Comforts.

Having explained these three Thing, I shall conclude with some Applicato∣ry Inferences suitable to the present mournful Occasion. As,

1. If the Love of God be such a Cordial and Guard, let it be our great endeavour to get an Interest in this Love. This is the one thing necessary. If

any ask, How must this be done? I shall only tell them, they must seek to be in Christ. The first Application of this Love is made in Conversion, though Gods Purpose of loving was before. Yet we were Children of Wrath, till God by Conversion, and the new Birth translate us from the Power of Darkness to the Kingdom of his Dear Son, then and not till then is Gods gracious Pur∣pose brought into Act.

2. Let us adore, admire and medi∣tate upon Gods Infinite Unchangeable Love. And this not only in General, but in a Particular Application of it to our selves, as the Apostle, Gal. 2.20. Who loved me, and gave himself for me.

3. 'Tis most natural to infer from Gods great Love to us, That it is our Duty, and should be our Care, To walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, Col. 1.10.

4. If the Love of God be so great a Cordial and Guard against our Fears, we should make use of it as such, and oppose our Fears by the Consideration of it. This was David's Shield and Buckler on all such Occasions, Psalm

23.4. He resolves against his greatest Fears in a confident Reliance on Gods Love and Presence. Though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no Evil, for thou art with me. Yea in Troubles that carry the appea∣rance of Gods Chastisements, he is re∣lieved by the Apprehension of Gods Love, Psalm 49.5, 15. Wherefore should I fear in the Days of Evil, when the Ini∣quity of my heels shall compass me about. For God will redeem my Soul from the Power of the Grave.

5. Let us not mourn as those that have no Hope, for the Death of God∣ly Persons. They Die in Gods Love and Death is so far from separating them from the Love of God; that it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gods Porter to open the Door of Eter∣nity to them, and so to give them a•• immediate entrance into the full Enjoy∣ment of his Love. When Death hath done its worst, they that enter into Rest go off with Triumph. O Death where is thy Sting? O Grave where is thy Vi∣ctory?

6. This may be a Caution against the usual Presumptions of Men, who

are apt to be too bold in interpreting Gods Providences in the Death of his Servants. They are too sawcy and bold with God, when they take upon them to assign a Reason, why God takes any of his Servants out of the World, and so determine what Gods Design is in so doing.

It hath pleased God Almighty, and the All-wise Disposer of all things to make another Breach upon us. 'Tis not long since he took Mr. Pell from us, and now he hath called home Mr. Manlove, both of them excellent Men, worthy Ministers of the Gospel, singu∣larly (both of them) fitted with Abi∣lities for their Work. They were suc∣cessively my Dear Brethren, and Fel∣low-Labourers in this Part of Gods Vineyard. It must be acknowledged, that it is a stroke to be lamented; and if we look upon the present Providence, we may have some Cause to fear, that when God is discharging his Servants from his Work, and paying them their Wages, That he may shortly break up his House with us.

Let none rejoyce at it, nor say, Aha

so would we have it. Neither should others Despond: Who knows the end of the Lord? 'Tis easie for him to make up our loss, if we submissively wait for him. If his Love be unchangeable to single Persons, we may conclude it will be so to faithful Churches. There are I hope many of you that hear me, that can stand forth and Witness, that you have seen his Power and Glory in his Sanctuary: You have felt and tasted the Power and Goodness of God in your Conversion, quickning and Comforting in his Ordinances in this Place: And I hope, that Christ who delights to walk among his Golden Candlesticks, will not now separate us from his Love, nor remove the Candlestick out of its Place.