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An eleuen reasons are vsed to moue men to brotherlie loue.
SEcondly, seeing Christ hath loued vs, we are taught by his ensample * 1.1 to loue one anot••er. His paterne must be our practise, his actions must be our instructions. As Peter saith con∣cerning patience: so it may be as true∣ly said of loue, that Christ hath left vs an example, that we should follow his steps: and therfore Paul exhorting vs
to lead our liues in loue, saith; Walke in loue, euen as Christ hath loued vs. Imi∣tation * 1.2 is one of the diseases of the English nation; wherefore seeing we will needes imitate, let vs imitate the best. Now we can follow none better then Christ. His patterne is most per∣fect, and his foot-steps are most euen; therefore let vs re〈…〉〈…〉ble the one, and walke in the other. When Saint Iohn would win the faithfull to mutuall a∣mitie, he reasoneth after this sort; Be∣loued, * 1.3 if God (the Father) so loued vs (as that he gaue his onely sonne for vs) we ought also to loue one another. So I say, seeing Christ hath loued vs, and that exceedingly, we ought also to loue one another. If he loued vs, who was not bound to loue vs, then ought we to loue one another, being bound to do so by the vertue of many bonds. There are many reasons to moue & perswade * 1.4 vs. First, besides that example which Christ hath giuen vs, we haue his ex∣presse * 1.5 commaundement. This is my commandement, that ye loue one an other, as I haue loued you. Now they, that are
hi•• s••••epe, do hea••e (and obey) his voice, and follow him. Therefore to disting••ish our selues from Goates, from Rebels, we must giue care vnto his voice; that is, loue one another, as he * 1.6 hath loued vs.
Secondly, his Apostles and Embassa∣dors doe command and exhort vs to performe this dutie. Paul saith; Be affectioned to loue one another with bro∣therly loue. Peter saith; Loue one ano∣ther * 1.7 with a pure heart seru••tly. And Iohn inculcateth nothing more, then that all * 1.8 the godly should lo••e one another. But * 1.9 these were the Lords Pen-men: their pens were ruled by the L••rds owne singer. Therefore it were a point of disloyaltie to God, and ••n a••gument of rebellious, and perue••se disposition, to reiect or resist them, and to with∣stand the Spirit, which speaketh by them.
Thirdly, we haue the example of holy men. Dauid speaking of Ionathan saith; Thy loue to me was wonderfull, pas∣sing * 1.10 the loue of women. The Ephesians and Colossians are noted for their loue to all
the Saints. And Paul in praying that the Philippians loue might abound, doth * 1.11 plainelie shew that they were not void of loue. The Thessalonians are said to haue diligent loue, and to testifie the * 1.12 same towards all the brethrē through∣out all Macedonia. Philemon was a lo∣uer * 1.13 of all the Saints. Yea Paul was so possessed with the spirit of loue, as that he could euen wish himselfe to be * 1.14 seuered from Christ for his brethren, that are his kinsmen, according to the flesh. Now as that cloud directed the Israelites in their iourney to Canaan: so the ensamples of these holy men, should further vs in our way to celesti∣all * 1.15 Canaan, to heauenly Ierusalem. They haue traced the way before vs by loue, let vs follow their footing, that we may obtaine their ioyes. As euill examples do open a window to wic∣kednes, & occasion the wicked to cō∣mit iniquitie: so let the good ensam∣ples of the godly, yea of God himselfe, prouoke and excite vs to the works of holinesse, & so we following the light of their lamps, shall in the end be par∣takers
of the brightnesse of their glo∣rie.
Fourthly, wee were all elected by one, we were all created by one, to the glory of one, according to the image of that one: we are all effectually called by one: wee are all redeemed by one blood, and sanctifyed by one Spirit: we are all the children of one father and one mother, and we haue all one elder brother, one iustifier, one iudge: we are all ordeined to one kingdome, to one family, and are ruled by the same lawes: we are all the subiects of one king, the seruants of one Lord, the sheepe of one shepheard, the disciples of one Maister, and the people of one God: we haue all one hope of our cal∣ling, one faith, one baptisme, and one body to feed vpen: we are all the Pa∣tients of one physitian, the building of one architect, the vessels of one potter, the temple of one Spirit, the field of one husbandman, and the hearers of one gospel: we are all the members of one body, the stones of one building, the branches of one vine, and trauellers in
one way to one citie, from Aegypt through the wide wildernesse of this wicked world vnto new Ierusalem, ce∣lestiall Canaan, a paradise of perpetuall pleasures. Finally, we are all in grafted into one stock, incorporated into one body, wee receiue sap from one roote, sense from one head, light from one lampe, and water from one fountaine; therfore good r••ason is there, that wee should loue and like, affect, fauour, and embrace one another.
Fiftly, it is fearefull and grieuous to hate, or not to loue our brother. For first, it is a breach of Gods commandement, who forbiddeth vs to hate our brother, * 1.16 and commandeth vs to loue him as our selues. Now hee, that keepeth his com∣maundements, dwelleth in him, and hee in * 1.17 him: but horrible calamity shall befall those, that do without timely repen∣tance transgresse and break them: for their worme shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shalbe an abhor∣ring * 1.18 vnto all flesh. Secondly, hee that ha∣teth his brother is in darknes, and walketh in darknesse, and knoweth not whether he * 1.19
g••eth, because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes: he is an vnregenerate person, and is not illumined with the light of Gods Spirit, but walketh like a blinde Bayard, being possessed with the spirit of ignorance, & blinded with the dark∣nesse of Aegypt, out of the kingdome of light, of grace, of Christ, and in the kingdome of darknesse, of sinne, and Sathan. Thirdly, Whosoeuer hateth his brother is a man-slayer, and yee knowe that * 1.20 no man-slayer hath eternall life abiding in him, but is is obnoxious to eternall death and destruction. Fourthly, he that loueth not (his neighbour,) knoweth not God. Vndoubtedly, if a man did know * 1.21 God truly, that is, if he did acknow∣ledge him, and knew him as he hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in the coue∣nant of grace: if he knew him to be his God, his Sauiour, and louing friend and father in his sonne Christ Iesus, he would not, he could not but loue him, and those also, that are his sons and ser∣uants elected, created, called, iustified, adopted, santifyed and preserued by him, as well as he himselfe. Fiftly, he
that loueth not his neighbour, is not the child of God. For in this are the * 1.22 children of God knowne, and the children of the Diuel: whosoeuer doth not righte∣ousnes is not of God, neither he, that Lo∣ueth Not his brother. Sixtly, he that lo∣ueth not his brother, doth euidentlie declare that he loueth not God him∣selfe. For how can he, that loueth not his brother, whome he hath seene, loue God, whome he hath not seene? And whosoeuer * 1.23 hath this worlds good. & seeth his brother haue need, and shutteth vp his compassion from him, how dwelleth the loue of God in him? Seauenthly, he which loueth not his neighbour, doth shewe that his * 1.24 heart is hard and ••lintie, that it was ne∣uer mollified with the oyle of grace, that he hath not a good conscience, & faith vnfained, and that he neuer truely tasted of Gods loue, nor of the sweet∣nesse of Christs blood, neither that he did euer seriously consider and medi∣tate of those bitter pangs, and painefull passions, which hee sustained (whiles he liued, and when he died) as well for his neighbour, as for himselfe. To
conclude this first argument; He that * 1.25 loueth not his brother, abideth in death. As he abideth in the death of his soule, being dead in sinne, so he re∣maineth subiect to the death of his soule and bodie, which is the wages of sinne.
Sixtly, if we would but consider the * 1.26 excellencie, and the excellent vse and commodities, which come by this god∣ly loue, it would make vs all to be in loue with it, and not onely to like it in it selfe, or in others, but in our selues also, ••ea and to shew it in our liues and dealings.
First, true loue commeth of God, who is loue it selfe, & the very fountaine of all * 1.27 true loue. For euerie good giuing, and euerie perfect gift is from aboue, and com∣meth down from the father of lights. And * 1.28 in truth, what haue we, that we haue not receiued? Now the glorie of the giuer makes the gift more godly. And who can be more glorious then God the * 1.29 king of glorie, to whome all glorie doth of due belong?
Secondly, loue is an inseparable com∣panion
of true ••aith. For, as Paul shew∣eth, * 1.30 loue comes out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith vnsained. And as Gregorie saith; Iuantum credimus, tan∣tum diligimus, As we beleeue, so we loue. Euen as light doth accompanie the Sun, so doth loue attend vpon faith. And as there is no fire without heat, so there can be no true faith without loue. Here also is loue againe com∣mended, because it flowes from that faith, whereby our hearts are purified, * 1.31 and without which it is impossible to please God, and commeth not but from a conscience, which is at peace & rest, and doth excuse a man. So then who∣soeuer doth loue truely whome he ought, and as hee ought, may assure himselfe that hee doth beleeue truelie, & that his conscience is good before God, and his heart purged by faith, in the blood of Christ.
Thirdly, such a loue of our brethren, is asure signe of our election, vocation, regeneration and adoption. For euery * 1.32 one that loueth is borne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, & knoweth God. And Peter exhorting vs to giue
diligence to make our calling and elec∣tion * 1.33 sure, sheweth vs, that if among o∣ther vertues we haue also brotherly kindnesse and loue, we shall neuer fall, and therfore may assure our selues that we are elected and effectually called.
Fourthly, the loue of our brethren is in Christs account accepted and repu∣ted of, as loue shewed vnto himselfe, as appeareth plainely by that speech, which he will vse to his sheepe, when he shall come to iudge them, Math. 25. 40. In as much as ye haue done it (giuen ••••ate, drinke, lodging, clothing,) vnto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the leaft of th••se my brethren, ye haue done it vnto me.
Fiftly, the loue of men, is an argu∣ment of our loue toward God himself. * 1.34 For euery one, that loueth him that did beg••t, loueth him also, which is begotten of ••im. Therefore if we doe not loue the child of God, who is begottē of God, it argueth that wee doe not indeede loue God, that did beget him. Hee that ha∣teth the child doth not loue the father: and he that respecteth the maister, will not neglect the seruant.
Sixtly, the loue of our brethren is a signe that we are the temples of the holie Ghost, and that God doth inha∣bite in vs. If we loue one another (saith * 1.35 Iohn) God dwelleth in vs, and his loue is perfest in vs. God is loue, & he that dwel∣leth in loue, dwelleth in God, and God in him. Now what an honour is it, and what a singular comfort should it be to vs poore wormes, to haue the God * 1.36 of heauen and earth to dwell within vs, and to make his mansion in our sin∣full soules, in these loamie houses, and dustie cottages? We cannot set forth his praise enough, we cannot rceom∣pence his loue.
Seuenthly, our loue, which we beare to the children of God, is an vndoub¦ted token that we are out of the way of * 1.37 death, and in the state of life. There∣fore the Apostle saith; We knowe that we are translated from death to life, be∣cause we loue the brethren. Loue is not the cause of life, nor of the change frō * 1.38 death to life; for euerlasting life is the free gift of God: but it is a signe thereof. And as fire doth discouer it selfe by
his light, so may this change be discer∣ned * 1.39 by loue.
Eightly, Loue is the ende of the com∣maundement. Loue is the fulfilling of the Lawe, and the bond of perfection. The * 1.40 more perfect our loue is, the more * 1.41 perfect is our obedience. Yea loue is the onely debt, which we ought to owe * 1.42 to our neighbour. It is a debt, which we must alwaies be in paying off, and must neuer haue done paying. There∣fore Paul saith; Owe nothing to any man, but to loue one another: for he that loueth * 1.43 another, hath fulfilled the law.
Ninthly, knowledge, learning, the faith of miracles, yea and those works, that glister outwardly neuer so glori∣ously, and are commended neuer so much of men, yet are they worth no∣thing, if they bee not accompanied with true loue. This the Apostle tea∣cheth when he saith; Though I speake * 1.44 with the toongs of men and Angels, and haue not Loue▪ I am as sounding brasse, or a tinkling cimball. And though I had the gift of prophesie, and knewe all secrets, and all knowledge, yea if I had all faith, so that
I could remoue moun〈…〉〈…〉s, and had not loue, I were nothing. And though I feede [unspec 3] the poore with all my goods, and though I giue my bodie that I be bur••••d, and haue not Loue, i•• pros••••••th nothing.
Tenthly, Loue is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which letteth out to the benefit of our bre∣thrē, the waters of Gods graces, which are in the cisterne of our owne hearts. It is a knife, whereby faith carueth out those duties, which we owe to God & Man. It is a much to giue fire to our hearts, and to kindle them to all good works. It is a fountaine, yea and a pipe also, from which, and in which, many sweet and wholesome waters do slowe and run to water and refresh many. It is the verie hand of faith, whereby it worketh; Which thing Paul plainely testifieth, when he saith, that in Christ, neither Circumcision a••••••l••th any thng, nor vncircumcision, but saith which wor∣keth by loue. * 1.45
Eleauenthly, Loue (saith Chryso∣stome) is the Chara••••er and badge of Christianity. What can better beseem them then loue, that professe that God,
who is Loue, that Spirit which wor∣keth * 1.46 loue, and that Christ who in loue ••ide downe his life, that they might attaine to life? Yea, it is an infallible t••ken of a true disciple of Christ, and of one of his best proficients; therefore he saith; by this shall all men know, that * 1.47 ye are my disciples, if ye loue one another.
Twelfly, loue is more excellent and commodious in some respect, then ei∣ther saith by which we are iust••fied, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by which we are s••••ed. This the * 1.48 Apostle teacheth, when he saith; now a••••••deth Faith, Hope, and Loue: but the * 1.49 〈…〉〈…〉st of these, ••s loue; to wit, as con∣cerning vse towards o••r neighbour. As loue is the best liuerie, that a Christian man can weare (for it doth expresse his profession liuely, and makes it liuely: it sets forth the nature, and commends the name) so it is the best affection, that he can harbour in his heart, and entertaine within him: for it makes him spend himselfe like a ••ampe in Gods house, and to powre out and put forth himselfe to the prac∣tise and performance of those things,
which concerne Gods glory, his owne happinesse, and his neighbours wel∣fare.
Moreouer, Loue is very powerfull and plentifull in rare and admirable effects. Paul reckeneth sixteene. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. It suffereth long: being voyd of that ha∣stinesse, * 1.50 that is easily offended and ready to reuenge: and also of that dis∣position, which thogh it haue no great inclination to reuenge, yet being dis∣pleased, is readie to let fall the former affection, ceasing any longer indeede to declare the same. But loue leapeth ouer a wall of offences, and bursteth through a hedge of impediments, to testifie good will to the person loued. 2. Loue is bountifull; readie to plea∣sure and benefit the partie loued, ha∣uing (as it were) a grace and facilitie therein, and therefore plentifull and abounding in loue-tokens. 3. Loue en∣uieth not; for the man that loueth, ta∣keth himselfe to be (as it were) one and the same with the partie loued, and therefore after a manner entit••led to praises. So that he doth wish his estate
to be better then it is; so far is he from enuying of the same.
4. Loue doth not boast it selfe. 5. It is not puffed vp. 6. It doeth no vn∣comely * 1.51 thing; For loue conceiueth so highly of the thing loued, that it thin∣keth no seruice to be humble and duti∣full inough to such deserts. And there∣fore it cannot deale proudly, nor per∣uersly, with the partie loued, neither yet vnseemly, but so as the state therof requireth, that is, tenderly & seemely, with the afflicted condition, not disdai∣ning him in it, thogh neuer so perplex ed and miserable, neither dealing so roughly & carelesly, as doth litle be seem so pitifull an estate to be dealt withall. 7. Loue seeketh not her owne; but is so imployed about the thing loued, that a man may easily discerne in it a neg∣lect of priuate profit and pleasure, of∣tentimes in respect of the regard to the thing loued. 8. Loue is not prouo∣ked to anger; for being so surely knit vnto the thing loued as indeede it is, it cannot but suffer many wrongs, be∣fore it can be prouoked against that,
which is so deare and neare vnto it. 9. Loue thinketh no euill; but either will not take knowledge at al of the ill dea∣ling of him, whome he loueth: or else will blame some other thing for it, as the cause, that moued him to do it. Loue will not be iniurious in her thoughts. 10. Loue doth not euill vnto his * 1.52 neighbor; for it is takē vp with the thing loued, & so rauished with delight in it, that it makes a man as back-ward in wronging it, as in hurting himselfe.
11. Loue reioyceth not in iniquitie. * 1.53
12. But it reioyceth in the truth. It reioyceth neither in the doings of him, that is loued, which be not sincere, sound and holy: neither yet in the dea∣lings of himselfe or of others, which are not righteous and good: but on the contrary it delighteth in the iust and true dealing of himselfe, and of o∣thers also with the party loued.
1••. Loue suffereth all things. 14. It be∣leeueth * 1.54 all things. 15. It hopeth all things. 16. It endureth all things. Loue couereth a multitude of sins. Loue is ready to for∣giue and to forget. It patiently bea∣reth
aburthen of wants and infirmities in the person loued, beleeuing and ho∣ping the best, trusting and expecting to see them redressed. Loue wil pocket vp a world of wrongs, a multitude, a mountaine of defects and of weaknes∣ses, it will swallowe them vp, and bury them in the graue of obliuion. It is not quarrellous, but patient: it is not diffident & incredulous, it dispaireth no••, but hopeth and beleeueth so long as there is any the least reason to moue therevnto.
Finally, that I may shut vp this sixt argument, the excellencie of loue ap∣peareth in the perpetuity and constan∣cie thereof. For (as Paul teacheth) true * 1.55 loue doth neuer fall away. It may fall, but not fall away: it may be weakned, but not wasted: it may be crazed, but not conquered: lessened, but not lost: yea both left & lost as touching the might and measure of it in some degrees (and therfore the church of Ephesus is char∣ged * 1.56 to haue left her First Loue,) but it cannot be lost, as touching the sap and substance of it altogether. Life and
iuice may be in a tree, when the top therof is naked, and all the leaues fallen of. And so loue will liue, when some signes of life are lost. It will flie with Dedalus, when the loue of hypocrites and worldlings shall fall downe with Icarus. It is like death, which deuou∣reth all: & the graue, which swallow∣eth * 1.57 vp all. The waters of sorrow, and the floods of affliction, cannot ouer∣whelme and drowne it. It will swim beneath like a fish, and flote aloft, like a ship; yea like N••ahs Arke it shall keep vp, when the glorious loue and all the glistering moralities of Pagans, Atheists, and Earth-worms, shall sinke downe and perish. For the gifts of God * 1.58 (among which loue is not the least) are giuen without repentance. When God hath once in mercie planted it in the garden of a Christians heart, it shall there abide: no worme shall eate it, no Boare shall euer roote it vp, no sythe mowe it downe, and no Moule shall turne it vp: for God by grace will preserue and keepe it. And as Zerub∣babel layde the foundation of the tem∣ple, * 1.59
& did also finish it: so God hauing once begun this good worke of Loue within vs, hauing once cast it in the mould of our hearts, hauing once riui∣ted and rooted it in vs, he will not leaue it till he haue brought it to per∣fection, and what it wants in this world he will supply in the world to come. The Sun did once stand still, and once * 1.60 goe backward ten degrees: it hath suffe∣red many Eclipses, & makes many Set∣tings: but it still remaineth in the hea∣uen, and falleth not down to the earth, nor vanisheth like a comet or blazing star. Euen so true Loue may stand and moue not, it may retyre and run back somtimes, but yet it continueth firmly fixed, (though now and then eclipsed) in the sphaere of the heart: her light is neuer wholly lost, her heat is not quite extinct: and though it set, yet it shall rise again and appeare. And (as Dauid speaketh in effect concerning the Sun, * 1.61 so say I concerning loue) It shall come forth as a Bridegrome out of his cham∣ber, and shall reioyce like a mighty man to run his race. Though hel-gates
should open themselues against it, yet it shall continue. Though the Diuell like a ramping and roaring Lion run with open mouth against it, yet it shall not perish. Though he plant all his infernall ordinance against it, yet shall he not supplant, nor beat it downe. He may shake it, but he shall not shi∣uer it. Though he work against it like a Moule in the earth, and seek by vn∣dermining to subuert it, yet he shall not preuayle. Though he shew himselfe in his colours, labouring to blast it with the stormy winds of his violent temptations, and with the scorching blasts of his breath, and to destroy it by all meanes possible, whcih he can deuise and practise, yet all is in vain, he shall but loose his labour. For God wil defend and succour it. He will not suf∣fer this fire to die, hee will not let this lampe goe out, but will releeue it with new matter, and with the fresh oyle of his Spirit. This flower shall neuer fall off: this tree shall neuer bee stubbed vp. God will so hedge it in with the thick & thornie quick-set of his grace,
and so compasse it with the walles of his loue, that it shalbe preserued from winde and weather, and from all the e∣nemies therof; so, as that they shall ne∣uer be able to destroy it. Christ hath said, that his Sheep shall neuer perish, and * 1.62 that none shall pluck them out of his hand. But whosoeuer doth plucke this holie affection of Loue, out of the heart of a true Christian, and doth destroy it, hee doth euen destroy one of Christs sheep, & puls him from Christ. For true loue is an vnseparable companion of one of Christs true sheepe, and it is an infalli∣ble argument of true faih, which is as it were the quintessence and the verie soule of a true Christian; and without Loue, there is no Faith. For without water there is no fountaine: and with∣out light, there is no Sun. And there∣fore there can be no sheep, no Christi∣an without loue. So then, destroye loue, and destroy a sheepe of Christ: but his sheepe cannot be destroyed; therefore their loue shall alway last. It cannot be lost, it cannot be destroyed. This shall suffice for the sixt motiue,
that should moue vs to entertaine and practise this vertue loue, drawne from the consideration of the excellencie thereof, and from the manifolde com∣modities, which it doth affoord.
Seauenthly, if a man loue that, which he ought to loue, he is happie * 1.63 in his loue, he may ioy therein, & ride along in it without striking saile, or feare of foule weather. But he that loues his brethren (as they are the mē∣bers of Christ) doth effect that, which he should affect, and which it is com∣fortable, commodious, and delightfull to affect. Therefore his loue is good, hee is happie in his loue, and may con∣tinue therein without repentance.
Eightly, true loue is an enemie to vice, and as it links many together, and makes them haue (as it were) one soule in many bodies, so it also doth oppose it selfe to those things, which ingender ••atred and discord, and are the verie breake-necks of societies. For in true loue there is no losse, no iarres, no woe, no paine: faith, and no false∣hood: truth, and no treacherie: kinde∣nesse,
but no craft: salues, but no sores. It is as water to quench the fi••e of dis∣cension. It is as fire to eat out the rust of rancour, and the drosse of spleene and enuie. It is as the Sun to dispel the cold∣nesse of the affections, to dissolue the frosts of hatred and vncharitablenes, and to melt the y••e of churlishnes and malice. It is as a South-wind to driue away all hard weather, to make vs leaue all hard, cruell, and vnconsciona∣ble dealing. It is as bellowes to blowe vp and increase courtesie, good-will, fa∣miliaritie, modestie, and moderation. It is as a Castle, to beare out and in∣dure all aduerse batterie, and to arme a man against all the boults and bullets of discord: and it is also an Engine to disturbe and ouerthrowe the bul∣warks of debate, & the muniments of malice: and as a Sword to cut off the head of hatred. Being therefore the pillar of true fellowship, the prop of grace & good will, an enemie to pride, a chaine of gold to tie men fast toge∣ther, yea and an eloquent and golden∣mouthed Oratour, to plead for peace,
and to perswade to iustice; it should inamour al men with it. Al men ought to price it highly, and to pursue it ea∣gerly.
Ninthly, he that loued his brother truely, that is, for the sake of Christ, doth plainly shewe that his loue is greater vnto Christ. For he that loues the seruant for his Masters sake, doth much more loue the Master. For the rule is, that that thing, for which any thing doth exist, doth it selfe much more exist. Therefore if I loue my brother because I loue Christ, it fol∣loweth that my loue to Christ is grea∣ter then my loue to him.
Tenthly, we ought to loue our bre∣thren, though we had no other reason to moue vs so to do, but that we know that Christ doth loue them as well as vs, and that the Diuel doth hate them, as he doth our selues.
Lastly, we are commaunded to do all things in loue; therefore we must loue, and haue loue. A Goldsmith can∣not trie his gold by a touchstone, ex∣cept he haue a touchstone. A Founder
cannot cast his mettell in a mould, vn∣lesse he both haue and vse his mould: neither can we cast our workes in the mould of loue, vnlesse we both haue and vse it. Againe, We ought to reioyce * 1.64 with them that reioyce, to weep with them that weep, and to be of like affection one to another. Which we can neuer do, vn∣lesse we be possessed with the spirit of * 1.65 loue. Moreouer, we must not be ouer∣come of euil, but must ouercome euill with goodnesse: And we are exhorted to giue * 1.66 all men their due. Which things we can neuer well performe without loue. Furthermore, all bitternesse, wrath and * 1.67 malice must be abandoned: and we must be courteous and tender-hearted, freely forgiuing one another, euen as God for Christ his sake did freely forgiue vs. Therefore we must of necessitie be charitably minded & louing. We must * 1.68 approue that, which is pleasing to the Lord; Therefore we must approue and e∣steeme of loue, and ratifie our appro∣bation by our practise answerable vn∣to it. We ought to haue no fellowship * 1.69 with the vnfruitful workes of darknes, but
euen to reproue them rather. But want of charitie, hatred, and enmitie, are works of darknes, yea and of the Prince of darknesse, & are not onely vnfruitfull, but hurtful. Therfore we must not fol∣low, but flie thē: & if we must reproue thē, we must in no wise practise thē, but rather giue ourselues to the cōtrary ver∣tues. To cōclude this point; we are bid∣den to do, & to thinke on those things, that are honest, pure, vertuous, of good re∣port, * 1.70 and worthie praise. Therefore we ought to exercise our selues in loue. Loue must take vp our thoughts in wishing well, and our tongues in spea∣king and counselling well, and our handes in doing well. Let vs therefore (Beloued) embrace one another in the armes of amitie. Behold (saith Dauid) * 1.71 how good and comely a thing it is, brethren to dwell together. And let vs demōstrate * 1.72 the inward affection of the heart, by the visible and apparent tokens there∣of in our liues: instructing the igno∣rant, comforting the afflicted, pardo∣ning the offender, bearing with the weake, visiting the sicke, feeding the
hung••ie, cloathing the naked, & in do∣ing all those duties which may con∣firme and testifie our loue, wherewith we do affect our brethren. And be∣cause God doth not onely require that our workes be good, but also that they be wel performed; I will briefely shew the manner how we ought to loue.
First, we must loue in faith: that is, we must beleeue that God will accep•• of our loue, and forgiue the weaknesse of it, for the merites of Christ.
Secondly, we must loue euen with a mind to performe obedience to Gods commandement, who bids vs loue.
Thirdly, we must loue truely and indeed, and not in shew only. Ther∣fore Paul saith: let loue be without hy∣pocrisie. * 1.73 And Iohn saith: Let vs not loue in word, nor in tongue onely, but in deed and truth. Fourthly, we must be ••ar∣nest & vehement in our loue. There∣fore Peter saith; Loue one another with * 1.74 a pure heart feruētly. And again; Aboue all things haue feruent loue among you.
Fiftly, wee must loue constantly, without wearinesse. For true loue will
not end, while the obiect li••eth and * 1.75 the subiect is not dead. Therefore their loue is not sound, which flicker about men like flies in the summer of pro∣speritie, and flie from them like Swal∣lowes in the winter of aduersitie. True * 1.76 loue is constant: it knowes neither end nor measure. This shall suffice for the second instruction drawne from the example of Christs loue, which all the members of Christ ought to imitate.
Omnis Christii actio est no∣stra instruc∣tio. 1. Pet. 2. 27.
Eph. 5. 2.
2. Iohn. 4. 11
Ioh. 15. 12.
Ioh. 10. 27.
Ioh. 13. 34.
Rom. 12. 10
1. Pet. 2. 22.
1. Ihon. 4. 7. and 3. Ih••n. v. 5.
2. Sam. 1. 26 Eph. 1. 15. Coll. 1. 4.
Phil. 1. 9.
1. Thes. 1. 3. And. 4. 10.
Phil. 5.
Rom. 9. 3.
Num. 9.
Leu••t. 19. 17 Luke. 22. 39
1. Ioh. 3. 24.
Isay. 66. 24.
1 Ioh. 2. 11.
1. Ioh. 3. 1••.
1. Ioh. 4. 8.
1. Ioh. 3. 10
1. Iohn. 3. 14
Rom. 6. 23.
1. Ioh. 3. 4
Rom. 6. 23.
2. Ioh. 4. 78. Galat. 5. 22
Iam. 1. 17. 1. Cor. 4. 7
Psal. 2. 4. 10. Math. 6. 13.
1. Tim. 1. 5.
Act. 15. 9. Heb. 11. 6.
2. Ioh. 4. 7.
2. Pet. 1. 7. 10.
1. Iohn. 5. 1
1. Iohn. 4. 12. 16.
Iob. 25. 6.
1. Ioh. 3. 14
Rom. 6, 23.
Lumine qui sēper prodi∣tur ipse suo. Ouid.
1. Tim. 1. 5.
Rom. 13. 10
Col. 3. 14.
Rom. 13. 8.
1, Cor. 13. 1
Gal. 5. 6.
1. Ioh. 4. 16. Gal. 5. 22.
Ioh. 13. 35.
Gal. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16▪ Rom. 8. 24
〈◊〉〈◊〉. Cor. 13. 31.
1. Cor. 13. 4
1. Cor. 13. 5.
Rom. 13. 10.
1. Cor. 13. 6
1. Cor. 13. 7.
1. Cor. 13. 8.
Reu. 2. 4.
Cant. 8. 6. 7.
Rom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 29.
Zach. 4. 9.
Iosh. 10. 13. Is. 38. 8.
Ps. 19. 5.
Ioh. 10. 28
Si quis amat quod amare iuuat, felici∣ter ardet: Gaudeat, & Vento naui∣get ille suo. Ouid.
Rom. 12, 15. 16.
Rom. 12. 21
Rom. 23. 7
Eph. 4. 31. 32.
Eph. 5. 10.
Eph. 5. 11.
Col. 4. 8.
Psal. 133. 1.
Consule, ca∣stiga, sola∣re, remitte, fe••, ora: vi∣sito, poto, cibo, redi∣mo, tego, colligo, ••ō∣do.
Rom. 12. 9. 1. Ioh. 3. 18.
1. Pet. 1. 22. 1. Pet. 4. 8.
Necmodus & requies, nisi mors, reperitur a∣moris. Ouid.
Verus amor¦nullum no∣uit habere modum, Propert.